If it's an issue of maintenance it can be carried out by anyone (which is why you can buy the parts) but what you have suggested is a lot more than an issue of maintenance, it's a partial/full rewire of the lighting circuits!

Wireless connections from the EZB to the lights? How? Short of using RF or X10 methods and additional PC software, hardware and adding in modules it would need wires from the EZB to the lights, outlets etc.

It is not financially feasible nor is it simple. The ideal solution would be available to everyone regardless of country, money, knowledge and ability.

There are more than 2 ways to control the lighting. I don't own any X10 stuff but can control my lights anywhere in the world, or from any sensor "witch i is am excert in", or timed or well, anything. But that's a totally separate discussion and non-ezb related, you know where to look for the info on it, I have told you before.

you can control any lights from any where in the world,but you still need to first buy it ,higher cost then about $10 for the box idea i have,you need a controller more then $60 for EZB you still need to wire it in.

only other idea is easy stay up at night or leave you lights on all the time,main problem with homebase finding or navigation using a camera is lighting.

Using EZB board does a lot more then turn on the lights it monitors the robots and controls and guides him,second it controls the charging design (my favorate part) and add other controls or monitor sensors as needed,plus another project to use the EZB

And on wiring its pretty easy not fully wiring it like you said its only 3 wires is really needed power (hot) neutral and return ,most ceiling light you but or already installed most have 2 black wires, and pretty easy emove the wire nuts and add the box in between it with 2 extra wire nuts.

I can make a schematic ,but its pretty simple and not needed and i said there is a very easy way just use a lamp

IF you know a cheaper way then about $70 total for the project $10 plus $69 for EZB I love to see it

There is no software in the world that can turn your lights on without a interface witch meens very high cost

@robotmaker Yes I would keep it as low as feasible. Laser pointers are cheap. Don't know anything about what type of sensor I would need or how many would be needed on the head assembly. Could you use a photo transistor or photo-cell? Never tried using them with a laser. If so these are very cheap. I'm still searching. I believe the laser idea is worth a try because it is such a focused beam to follow. Who knows this could also prove to be its downfall I guess with having to track such a tight beam. I will keep you posted on any test results.

@Rich What I definitely will need is some coaching on coming up with certain scripts to control robot movement to track the beam and stay on course. Would you (or anyone else) be willing to answer a few questions now and then or help me brainstorm ideas on this endeavor?

I guess the most important thing to solve first though is getting the robot to know how to get back to the room where the charger is located. Without that resolved the rest would be a moot point.

BTW please feel free to call me by my first name.... Rex.

Cheers

REX Laser light is not the problem ,its the receiver part added to it makes it high cost,it also needs a good optics,and filtering design,photodiode is needed to match the wavelength of the laser,plus a special amp design and more

Also on using a laser circuit you should have 3 of them or 3 receivers to work like a tractor beam idea to steer the robot it or scanning design but that takes alot

I have a laser optical bench at my place and witch i tests lasers and circuits ,i have a few red and green laser modules ,some very tight beem some put out a laser line and making a good receiver circuit not easy.

I guess i can get my data and post a schematic on it,BUT it does need a lot of parts

IR roomba idea is a lot more easy to build and no optics is really needed,should have a omnicone,but can take apart a cheap roomba charger home base unit apart for it $8 on ebay or less and you have a IR photodiode that matches IR wavelength

and use FRED is cool,good to have a first name in this forum

I WAS wrong about the price on about $70 for laser receiver its $70 per each laser RECEIVER ,so about $210 ,big cost is photodiode made for wavelength of laser $15 and another $20 for optics to pass only that wavelength and not lights or IR plus to focus the light on to the diode

REX on this you said

Not affected by room lighting conditions.

• More directional than IR source, sound source, or L.E.D. source.
• Good range.
• The way it senses the beam causes the robot to be directly lined up with the charger.

first one is good no lighing is needed

Second about the IR not more directional is not really true ,if you use 3 IR'S and omninicone you get 360 deg

THIRD about lining up the robot to the robot ,both can easy do it

CONS Your right at that on cost is very high,when i made mine it was near $70 and i had some parts

Also you want your contacts and laser very close to the floor as you can,like on roomba base

scripts to line up the robot with IR or LASER is the same,center light he goes forward if hits a right beam he turns left to center beam and same with left beam

BUT main problem with both is that they need a light of sight,meens no furniture in its way one reason a good map design , and hope you dont move or change anything in your house

now there is other idea ,use the ceiling it never changes ,and they design systems for it,but if using fans is a problem

These are things i found out testing almost every design ,

Since i love using lasers alot and have many neato xv11 lidar for navigation

there is a way to lower the cost on the laser IDEA ,scanning the laser ,still need $70 circuit but with a pan servo circuit

The laser with start panning until it hits the receiver then robot moves forward and scans again and depending if he needs to turn left or right to follow the beam

It will need a lot of scripting ,but it does look better

And 2 ways to do it ,scan the laser or scan the photodiode ,both will take another servo's plus pan brackets ,but at least it may cost you about $100 total ,lasers on ebay are about $5 to 7 $ for a spot laser module and you would get a red one not green,green is for special designs

Here is an interesting circuit that could be handy for controlling certain things.

Laser-Detector-Remote-Control

@Rex feel free to ask any questions, that's what the community is all about.

The laser idea could be kinda cool, and if tied in with a second EZB it needn't be on all the time, but that is an option available to those who can spare the extra $100+ a second EZB (plus things to make it work) would add.