Controlling Ez-robot From Ez-openbot Without Bluetooth

Question

We are doing a proof of concept project here at DirecTV to see if we can control the ez-robot from our set top boxes. The STB runs an embedded linux but most likely won't have bluetooth capability. Does the ez-robot stack support any other way of pairing? Does ez-openstack run entirely over bluetooth or does it move to tcp-ip once it pairs?

Thank you, Kelvin

thetechguru · Accepted Answer

Current EZ-B is Wifi, not Bluetooth. Bluetooth was used in the previous now discontinued (but still supported) version. Instead of EZ-Open Bot, take a look at the Mono SDK which is provided by EZ-robots rather than a community member who does not seem to be actively updating the code: https://synthiam.com/Products/ARC Alan

kishigo · Answer

Thank you for pointing me in the proper direction. Wifi should work for us much better.

thetechguru · Answer

If you do this, I may just switch my TV from FiOS to DirectTV. Would love to hear what plans you have (you should be aware that the EZ-B v4 supports its own camera, also connected via WiFi. A mobile camera, viewable on my TV through my DirectTV box (maybe even Picture in Picture?) would be awesome for security, baby or elder care monitoring, and just fun. Alan

thetechguru · Answer

One other suggestion. Although obviously your ultimate goal is to have this running on your Linux box, I suggest downloading ARC for Windows to get an understanding of what EZ-B can accomplish. It will make the functionality exposed by the SDK make much more sense if you see the ARC equivalents. Alan

kishigo · Answer

I downloaded the mono sdk but the EZ-SDK Mono.zip does not contain source code. It looks like it only contains windows dll and an xml file. [kishigo@kishigo-centos6 sandbox]$ unzip -l ../../Downloads/EZ-SDK\ Mono.zip Archive: ../../Downloads/EZ-SDK Mono.zip Length Date Time Name --------- ---------- ----- ---- 78911 01-30-2015 23:04 EZ_B.xml 98304 01-30-2015 23:04 EZ_B.dll --------- ------- 177215 2 files The link describes using with a raspberry pi but we would prefer to port into our customized linux stack. Is this possible? Thank you

kishigo · Answer

We have explored the robot via the windows ARC and believe it will suit our needs for the project. That's why we are looking for a way to drive it from linux.

kishigo · Answer

Ok, I see the apt-get of mono-complete. I'm guessing that's the source lib? We cross build on centos 6.3, is there a yum rpm for it? Or is it available on Ubuntu linux PC's? Thank you

kishigo · Answer

DUH, now I get it. I don't think mono is an option here, we are space constrained on our platform and adding a windows compatibility package for the robot will be hard to justify. For POC, maybe though.

thetechguru · Answer

You have reached the extent of my knowledge on this. Hopefully DJ will see this and respond. I believe at least one user did get EZ-Open bot to work with the Wifi EZ-B. Certainly won't have access to all features unless someone updates the package, either the original user or someone else (it is open source after all). Alan

kishigo · Answer

It seems to be an issue of getting the ezrobot onto the local wifi. What if I use ARC to have the robot join the wifi network. Then it will have an IP address. Can I then from C++ use a TCP socket to control the robot? In other words, use the ez-openbot package with a TCP socket instead of a Bluetooth socket.

thetechguru · Answer

You can use a web browser to get EZ-B onto the local network. Tutorial for getting EZ-B onto the network is here: https://synthiam.com/Tutorials/Lesson/15?courseId=5 One on the network, yes, you can use C++ to send commands. See this thread for instructions on sending servo commands (ignore the unpleasantness in the thread, the answers are there): https://synthiam.com/Community/Questions/7776 I doubt you would be able to use the EZ-B camera without the Mono SDK, but most, if not all other functionality should be available, although more challenging. Alan

CochranRobotics · Answer

The camera images would be presented via the web server on the EZ-B. Once it is on the network, you could access the jpg images (camera stream) by accessing the webserver on the EZB. I cant remember the exact url but you could connect to the EZBs ip address to find out. There is a section called Cameras or something like that. From there, there are instructions on the page you are connected to. edit I can't remember the exact url but you could connect to the EZBs ip address with a web browser to find out.

DJ Sures · Answer

what trouble are you having connecting ezb to local wifi? There is a tutorial on how to setup different wifi modes in the Learn section. Let me know what stage you are experiencing trouble and I'll help direct you. As for what your project attempt is, sounds like a lot of fun! Must really enjoy your job. It should be easy as well - once you get the ezb connected to the local network, I can help you with modifying openbot to work for your needs.

thetechguru · Answer

@d.cochran, no, the EZ-B camera is not accessible via the web browser. EZ-Robots developed a proprietary protocol for optimum performance. However, if DJ is going to help modify OpenBot, then that would be the solution... Alan

CochranRobotics · Answer

It is available. I used it yesterday. EDIT Well, wait, that is through the custom http server in ARC. Sorry about that. He isn't going to use ARC. My bad.

DJ Sures · Answer

The camera is available through ARC's web server

thetechguru · Answer

edited to remove my reply to Dave, since he figured it out himself Alan

CochranRobotics · Answer

All good Alan. Between the EZ-B webserver, Webserver in ARC and the Program-0 webserver, along with my website and all of the webservers I hit within the EZ-AI application, sometimes I forget which is which.

I guess I need to build a database table with all of the addresses in it and what they do. I seem to do better remembering things that are written down

kishigo

Controlling Ez-Robot From Ez-Openbot Without Bluetooth

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