Hi All,
New Builder here.
Does anyone know if its possible to directly connect the EZ Robot board to a wheelchair controller? I have a complete Pride Mobility Jet 3 wheelchair (used to be Mom's). I also have a life size Lost in Space Robot (aka: B9 Robot, aka: 'The G-bot') that my Son and I built a few years ago. While we have had much fun with it over the years, I was never able to complete his drive section and/or make him semi autonomous and mobile. Currently it has some animation and I control it (essentially manually) from a tethered pc.
I am very excited with the EZ Robot kit and have the G-bot dismantled awaiting his upgrades!
Of course $$ are not unlimited so I am exploring all options. I originally was planning to remove the gear motors from the wheelchair and purchase a sabertooth 2x60 motor controller to connect to the EZR. Of course researching that, the 2x60 sabertooth is not cheap and it occurred to me the chair has a controller but I don't want joystick control I want it integrated with the EZR. I am not sure if what I wish to do is possible or -if it is- if its within my technical capabilities.
Any comments, help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Gwen
PS, As this is my first post other than my intro, please let me know if this type of question is outside the scope of this forum.
Thanks in advance! (Hope some of you enjoy the video)
Asked
— Edited
I love your B9.
Linky
Thanks!
Recently I modified my second motorised electric wheelchair to be controlled by EZ-B
While I would have preferred to take the joystick controller apart and use some type of interface
I decided after some research to simply use two servo motors which I connected directly to the joystick now I even have voice control of the motors.
The controller I have has an integrated joystick ,while the controller and joystick in your wheelchair are possible seperate, it may be possible to take it apart and interface.
While you could add seperate controllers for the motors, remember you have possibly one of the most advanced controllers already in your chair
only components necessary, 2 servo motors which connect directly to Ez-b
Pat
Do you have any pictures, notes or other documentation that might help me figure out how to make two servos move the joystick through it's full range on both axis?
Thanks in advance!
I too was trying to make a remote control wheelchair. Like yourself, I considered using the Sabertooth but thought, why not try and use the controller on the chair. I worried about hacking the joystick/controller and burning it up, as it was important to me to keep the chair fully functional as someday these old bones might need it ... lol. I did run across several ideas but while looking into it I found this site and put the chair on the back burner. EZ Robot is such a GREAT product I just had to have one and now I'm hooked. I do plan on getting back to the chair this winter.
Here is a link you might be interested in reading. In this project a guy hacks into a joystick/controller (same one I have) and shows how he did it. Maybe you can get some ideas out of it.
http://mowstation.blogspot.com/2011_09_01_archive.html
Below is a picture of one way to use servos to control a joystick. Thought about using this setup myself or at least giving it a try. I planned on taking the joystick out and mount it on some plexiglass along with the servos. Don't know how it would work but it sure seems simple enough to try.
Anyway, please keep us up to date on your project.
Herr Ball
You could also use two Parallax HB25's as controllers, and they look just like modified servos to ARC. There are some other choices, but those are the best I have seen at a decent price point (<$125).
Alan
Alan
Attached some photos of joystick control by EZ-b
I extended the shaft using a box spanner( cut the handle off) ,fits tightly over original short joystick shaft and is held down by a simple plate with two screws.
Both servos are mounted on basic hinges which allow them to sway back and forth.
each servo has a long lever shaft one approx 1" longer.
Over time I have found it very stable and there is little load on the servos, with the extended shaft.
Pat
There is support for the Sabertooth Motor Controller in ARC.
A few questions, is your chair fully functional right now ( as in joystick controls works )
if so could you open up the joystick controller and send some a pictures of the insides.
I have managed to interface my controller and still have the chair working normally with the joystick.
It is a simple and inexpensive solution and uses existing hardware.
Dave.
Could you send me a email.
I would like to discuss this further with you.
Thanks ... Herr
I sent you an email asking what you would like to know......but not sure if my email is working.