Controlling Two Brookstone Rovers

Question

Hi guys, I wanted to know if I can control two Brookstone rovers with one computer and two wireless cards. Its for a school project. Each card would connect to one of the rovers. I tried doing this with the ARC software and was unable to do so since it wouldn't let me add more than one control for the rover even though I was connected to two. I was wondering if this is possible with the SDK since I would be using it anyway or is it completely limited to controlling one rover.

DJ Sures · Answer

Yes, you will need to run two copies of ARC

eblaze123 · Answer

That's great! Can I do this also with the SDK?

robotmaker · Answer

no just open 2 ARC on your computer

robotmaker · Answer

also i think you can link them together on one EZB after you open 2 on your computer What i think you do is use the server command and set the board for one port and second board to another port with the script checked and use scripts to control both rovers. AND dont forget to add ROVER movement panel on both copies each one with is WIFI address I found you cant add to rover movement panels,but by opening 2 ARCS and make a script on the other ARC you can control both them on one ARC using a scripts. That what DJ told me for controlling my robots with one ARC.

DJ Sures · Answer

Please ignore robotmaker's replies. To clarify, you will need to run a second copy of ARC for the second rover. A third copy for third rover, etc.. Using the ez-sdk is also easy. Simply assign a second variable as the second rover

robotmaker · Answer

I though it would work DJ didnt you say you can control many robots from one ARC using the server command

robotmaker · Answer

i found the post and hope is ok to post it DJ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ARC already has that built in. Enable the Server under Config. You can now connect to other instances of ARC from another ARC. You can query any servo information. Every control has a ? next to the Close button. Press the ? to load the Tutorial/Help for that control. Press the ? on the Connection Control to view the tutorial/help. A video will demonstrate how to connect multiple ARC instances to each other over the internet or network. May be i am wrong it cant control another ROVER using the scripts from another ARC ,just try to help with my idea,you know more about the EZ THEN ANYONE I did try you my 2 tank idea with it and did work great .

DJ Sures · Answer

Again, sorry for the confusion that robotmaker is causing. Robotmaker is confusing connecting more than one ez-b with a single copy of ARC. He is also confusing connecting ARC to other instances of ARC. To clarify due to the messy posts, you will need to load a copy of ARC for each rover Good luck

robotmaker · Answer

oh sorry i was wrong DJ only a idea,i guess i miss understand little about using ARC Oonly thought you can connect 2 ARC and control both using only one i guess will wait for EBLAZE123 to make the sdk so DJ i cant connect EZ=-BUILDER on one of my tanks and have another computer with another ARC and control or read values and control from one one computer using server command

robotmaker · Answer

Eblaze i am getting my second brookstone ROVER in a few days so cant wait to try my idea i have and you SDK idea too. I guess i might start my own project.

eblaze123 · Answer

Well, so I tried it out with the two rovers. I plugged in both my wireless usb adapters with each adapter connecting to each rover. Then I first tried it with the SDK assigning two variables and having each of them connect. I noticed that only one rover could be connected which was usually the one i connected to first on the adapter. Then I tried running two copies of ARC and the first copy connected to one of the rovers but the second copy didn't connect at all. In fact the connect button didn't work at all. It makes sense that the SDK wouldn't work if the ARC cound't work. Is there something I'm doing wrong?

DJ Sures · Answer

Ah, after thinking about this - the brookstone rover ip addresses will be in conflict. They would both have the same network on the same computer. Unless there is a way to change the ip address of the brookstone rover, i guess it won't be possible. sorry about that there is no limitation to ARC or EZ-SDK running multiple instances. The limitation is with the rover itself.

robotmaker · Answer

@eblade i got both my rovers working on seperate computers and it works perfect Next working on a script on controlling ,tet my design is on the last page of the post,if you have a problem let me know. second part waiting on one another WIFI board that my network guy said it should work with some changes using only one computer. THIRD it little hard but work on a script to control both rovers with one pc not using the movement panel only using to connect to the rover.only scripts BUT try my idea it works on 2 seperate computers,i have 2 at home here is my link to my design another brookstone rover project EACH rover has its own SSID address on the bottom of the robot

Rich · Answer

As explained in your post, you are getting confused between SSID and IP. Two rovers on Two separate computers is bound to work. The wireless connections are separated. The wireless connection creates an AdHoc wifi network between the PC and the Rover. This AdHoc connection is only available to the PC and the Rover. The second PC cannot see it therefore it is as if it does not exist. The second PC can therefore have an identical AdHoc wireless network without any issues. Two rovers on the same computer, in effect in the same TCP/IP network, will cause IP conflicts. While the two AdHoc wireless networks are separate the IP address of both Rovers is the same (192.168.1.100). The TCP/IP network does not take in to account the SSID only the IP address. It sees two devices connected with the the same address AKA an IP Conflict.

robotmaker · Answer

PLEASE dont listen to RICH he doesnt own any brookstone rovers not even one, TRY my test it works,,there is a way to bridge network connections ,so it can be controlled Havent done that part yet waiting on another wireless card WHAT ever post i do, it seems RICH finds it and tries to prove me wrong when i tried AT HOME and it works ,YET he doesnt own one or sensor i design or circuit I am electronic engineer mostly making electronic boards amd my main field is sensor testing,every type ever made almost

DJ Sures · Answer

Rich is correct. You cannot run two brookstone rovers on one computer due to both rovers having the same IP address and same network. You cannot have two computers with the same IP address. That is called an IP address conflict.

robotmaker · Answer

DJ how come i am able to do it on mine

Rich · Answer

You have not connected both rovers to one pc. You have connected two rovers to two different PCs. I have explained why that works and why connecting two rovers on one PC will not work.

robotmaker · Answer

YES that i keep telling you ,but you never read it,i know you cant connect both ROVERS to one pc ,i tried this

Rich · Answer

Sorry, but what on Earth are you saying you have managed to do then? I have read every word you have typed. I have explained everything to you on countless occasions. What is it you have done which we are saying cannot be done? Two rovers on one PC cannot happen. Two rovers on two PCs can happen as the wireless adhoc networks do not conflict with each other as they are not joined in any way, shape or form.

DJ Sures · Answer

You are unable to control two rovers on one PC. Even with two wifi adapters. The ip addresses of the rovers are the same, which creates an ip conflict.

robotmaker · Answer

YES i know that ,DJ but can change the ip address for it ,like 192.168.1.100 for one and 192.168.1.102 for another Will post a video of it when i finish my projects and the complete step by step on how to set it up

DJ Sures · Answer

You are unable to change the IP address of the rovers. Also, you cannot have the same network on two separate adapters. In your example, you listed both rovers as being 192.168.1.x/255.255.255.0 You cannot span a network across two adapters. If there was a way to change the ip of the rover, They would need to be on separate networks. 192.168.1.x 192.168.2.x Each adapter requires its own network.

robotmaker · Answer

YES i know that,my have a friend who is a expert at networking since he use to work for a company the makes network card So he will,tell me step by step on how he did it,only wish he like a across from the street from me ,but moved to philly,penn SO he is best solution,I never give up,and i will find a fix for this. he did tell me about me might needing its own adapter and he said you can use 2 usb wireless cards with some changes on one computer i JUST ordered another USB wireless card RICH YOU SAID THIS :Two rovers on two PCs can happen as the wireless adhoc networks do not conflict with each other as they are not joined in any way, shape or form. Thats how mine works

Rich · Answer

I can't see what the question is. I can't explain it any clearer. I'm out. I give up on this.

charleybot · Answer

I'm still trying to figure out who's on first....

robotmaker · Answer

Thanks RICH Just wait for my video and how to set it up,I am going to get it working.

DJ Sures · Answer

I cannot explain any further. I have provided clear and concise response. I can not longer engage on this topic.

eblaze123

Controlling Two Brookstone Rovers

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