Heathkit Hero
Hi all,
I am interested in purchasing the EZ robot arm. IS there any more information available on the site? I was looking for a demonstration video and more pictures if possible. The picture in the store page seems to be cut off, and I cannot really tell how I would need to make a base.
Also, another question, can I fire HJPL machine code through the EZ PCB system to a serial port on my robot while using this EZ PCB to control the arm on my robot?
I pulled the robots skins off and in the pictures you can see the CPU and sensing controls, and on the front the relay motor boards. There is more than enough room for the EZ PCB on the front next to the Relay board, and the onboard computer can fit inside the frame itself. What I want to do is mount an arm to the top, so it can pick up and load things onto the head, which can carry maybe 15-20 pounds (The robot weighs about 35 pounds. So my main Idea is to use the EZ PCB to fire machine code commands to the existing control and sensing system, and then also use the EZPCB as a tracking arm, and try to integrate the whole environment if possible I have ordered another 12 volt motorcycle battery to power the onboard PC and possible arm if I get that.
Has anyone ran the ez-robot program under Linux? I have the onboard computer installed on the hero robot, and now I am interested in the EZ robot PCB for arm control. I winder if WINE might be a way to do it.
Windows sir . Windows is the os you will use. Xp or win 7 if your want everything to be onboard you can get a mini itx motherboard and pico power supply as well. It appears you have lots of room especially if you remove the out dated micro processor.
Ok, Thanks jstarne1 I will need to brush up on windows and I will load it- at least the computer problem is solved, I spent a week of spare time disassembling a netbook an reconsituting it's parts into an onboard PC. I just need to finish the USB ports for mouse and keyboard. I was able to connect a serial cable into the CPU motherboard, and now I can control the robot straight by automated commands through terminal emulation. SO now it makes total sense to keep the existing electronics in there as it drives all of the Sonars, drive motors, motion and light detectors.
The PC addition took me a week of spare time, gutting the cases adding standoffs an mounting everything....
REAR DISPLAY RUNNING WITH CPU LOAD HEARTBEAT SCREENSAVER:
Now I have successfully figured out how to pull all data with a command that sends back source code in machine language. I will let it run all night until I think I have sniffed everything out:
DATA SNIFFING PACKETS FROM 8088 CPU ALL NIGHT:
SO now my next step is to figure out a bridge between EZ robot PCB an ARC and the Onboard Terminal emulation program that will respond to the data inputs from the sensors.
I think the added capability plus being able to run my arm with the EZ PCB will make an exceptionally advanced full size functional robot. I also plan to add the video eye underneath the I/R- Motion detector space on the head for face and Glyph recognition
Wow you really went the extra step to grab all the onboard code. Thats great. More than I could do (though i would love to know how)
Hi jstarne1, I can probably help you with that. Let me know what you are working on.
Great project Heathkit! I've got a Hero 1 and just ordered a EZ-Robot kit. I've been debating whether to strip the old processor out or keep it.