My course has primarily focused on robotics projects using the EZ-B controller and a camera for real-time interfacing. With recent developments, I am planning to create an additional video that incorporates Synthiam's support for other types of controllers. Although I've successfully flashed an alternative controller, it lacked compatibility with camera integration and Wi-Fi capabilities. The absence of an onboard computer limits the use of a USB camera, posing a significant challenge.
This dependency on specific components like the EZ-B, IO Tiny, and cameras can be problematic. For my course project, Mecha Morphix, which involves controlling five servos, the Arduino Mega seems excessive. I am in search of a suitable controller, compatible with Synthiam ARC, that includes both Wi-Fi and camera support to effectively replace the EZ-B.
I noticed that the ESP32 with a camera is listed among the supported controllers for ARC. Has anyone experimented with using the ESP32 in conjunction with a camera for such applications? Any insights or experiences would be appreciated.
If you're only needing 5 servos - i say let's get a single pcb instead of two. i'm confident the esp32 cam could work - we just gotta make sure there's a version that makes sense. The kit that i have appears to work with all 5 servos and the camera doesn't stop. maybe yours is defective OR it's a different version? i'll post a pic of mine one minute...
This is the one I haveYeah thats not the same mine, mine is S3 which is a different chipset. See at the beginning of this thread.
Same company different chipset. I think S3 is for somekinda security or?! I can order the one you have then we know it works let’s call that the " IO Tiny with cam replacement" . *** edit I ordered the exact same one as you no s3***
Then we can look into the rumor that the older ESP32s without camera have16 digital ports for 16 servo as a EZB replacement.
From Google " Older, standard ESP32 boards (WROOM/WROVER) can control up to 16 servo motors independently using the ESP32Servo library. They utilize the 16 available PWM hardware channels to generate the 50Hz signal required for servos. "
They can use 16 servos if there's no camera - don't forget that the camera requires several gpio pins. The gpio pins of the camera are defined in the camera_pins.h. That file is included in the firmware and all ESP32 demo code. You can look at that file to see the pins that the camera is using. Without the camera, the ESP32 should run 16 servos, but your application only needs 5.
If you have 2 ESP32s (one for the camera and one for the servos), how will they communicate with the PC? Will you have 2 Wi-Fi networks? It would be easiest to use an ESP32 Wrover that works with 5 servos and a camera simultaneously. The Wrover esp32 that I'm using appears to do that.
Awesome - that you ordered the same as I have, because if that works, we're golden.
Last question. Can the Adafruit PCA9685 $6 board be added to this board via i2c?
https://synthiam.com/Firmware/EZ-ESP32-with-Adafruit-PCA9685-O3HKWLPWOIO
Not sure - depends on which pins and gpio are available, since the camera uses a lot of pins. You only need five servos, so it would be easiest to reduce hardware complexity by having just the esp32cam.
Also, remember: I2C is a finicky protocol, and you'd be diagnosing many issues with customers. trust me
Let's consider that or a similar option as a last resort.
Oh that question was for other robots coming later from Robomodix not for Mecha Morphix.
Okay wicked - i'd like to keep making that firmware more modular so it's easier to edit based on the board type. so far it's good for that but requires some groundwork. ppl will need to know their pinouts and stuff based on the schematic. not good for novices