aluminumwelder
HI I'm a newbie and appreciate any help I can get. I already did a search for photographer and sony party shot and did not see any previous discussion. Here is what I want to make.
Basically it is an Irobot Create with a light 4.75 ft tall aluminum pole on which a sony party shot module is mounted on top of. If there is a better robot base to use let me know. I would like to keep the total project cost under $600. I already have $100 invested in the sony partyshot+digital camera. the sony party shot is basically an automatic camera system that has facial detection that will automatic scan and rotate the surroundings looking for people to take photos of. I envision using it at corporate parties, weddings and just random stuff for fun.
I have never done any robotics work, but I am very techy. My programming experience is very small. I took a BASIC class about 12 years ago in college.
I may add a R2D2 Skin over the unit to give it a starwars theme, but I'm worried about weight and balance. It maybe too top heavy. It needs to be around 4.5 to 5 feet tall total so the photos look like they were taken at a normal angle. I will probably add some kind of bumper system at the top, because it's bound to get knocked over. I may also weld up some aluminum tube anti tip extentions so the unit is harder to knock over.
OK, that's the background here is my questions. I want to program it to randomly go around a room and pause for say 40 seconds , scan and take shots, then move around 10 to 15 feet in any random direction and start all over. I think the Create base will need to stop or the camera will get too confused and not do a good job. I have never used either device so perhaps this hypothesis is incorrect. I looked at the Create Module's instructions and see that it has some demo modes
"MODE 0 Cover Create attempts to cover an entire room using a combination of behaviors, such as random bounce, wall following, and spiraling."
I like mode zero, but I think I would only want random bounce, not spiraling. Can anyone recommend a programmer to do this?
I also want some kind of sensor so that it does not run into objects and people. I've seen the roomba hit things before they change direction. I'd prefer the sensor be used to avoid hitting things; i was thinking a 2' proximity would be fine.
Should I jsut buy the $235 ez robot kit with the Create module from irobot? Has someone already made a robot that does this sort of thing I can just buy? Seems like a pretty basic function set, but I've never built a robot.
Any other suggestions will be appreciated. thanks for your time.
PS originally posted this at the robotreviews.com forum, but someone suggested this set.
This is what I think it will look like:
All of what you ask (and more) is possible with EZB... and very easy too.
A combination of Sonar (ultrasonic) and IR detectors for obvect/human avoidance. Possibly another camera for tracking faces, colours etc. you could set it to follow someone wearing red which could be fun...
A simple explore script would do, I'm writing one for my bot using 3 IR sensors and 1 ultrasonic, 1 IR detects if it's about to run anything over, if it is it'll stop, back up a bit and avoid it. 1 detects objects directly infront of it at low level an 1 at high level, the ultrasonic works with the high level one too, just for extra safety.
No wall bouncing required
You could also make it controllable via joystick for manual mode. Or give it pre-programmed routes.
It's all very easy with the EZB and ARC.
Sorry if this post is a little rushed and lacks much real info, I'm insanely busy tonight so haven't got the time to give as much info as I usually like to. When I get more time I'll expand on suggestions etc.
That's a good idea! Neat
RichMR2 is correct - it'll probably take you about 10 minutes to get it working with a joystick, wiimote, speech commands, etc.. You can spend a bit more time creating small scripts to customize the features you wish. But the generic functions you request will not require any programming.
Do the following:
Download and install ARC
Press Add Control and select Robots, Roomba Movement Panel
To control by joystick, press Add Control, Misc and select Joystick
To control by WiiMote, press Add Control, Misc and select WiiMote
To control by speech, press Add Control, Speech, Speech Recognition
Each control has a ? (question mark) next to the X (close). Press it and you'll be directed to a tutorial page for that control.
I was going to buy an Irobot CREATE unit. Basically a roomba without all the cleaning functions. Will your ARC main board and software work with the CREATE unit?
I dont' really want to control it via joystick, wiimote or speech. I want it to simply wonder around taking random pictures of people at events. I am a photographer, so it will just be a novel side kick. I'll be too busy taking photos of the event.
I assume I will need to buy the following: EZ-B v3 Bluetooth Robot Controller $136.00 Distance Sensor for $10.99 anything else I should get?
RichMR2, let me know if you will sell me your script and what IR sensors you recommend. I actually love tinkering with things, but I've got too many other projects I'm envolved with and I'm just trying to get this off the ground as soon as possible. I appreciate your response even though you are busy!
nobody i know sells the script ,mostly we help others for free can you emali also i see you are a aluminim welder and i have some questions about a MIG elder for aluminium [email protected] mostly i am electronic engineer and my main fields is sensors and every type made
So i can help with getting the right sensor,does your camera also have jack for camera switch or remote
The camera is controlled by the Sony Party Shot base which automatically rotates, tilts, zooms, composes and takes the photos using facial recognition.
The problem is that if you just set it on a table you get the same boring perspective every time. By attaching it to a robot I think the quality of pictures and the interactive aspect will be a lot more fun.
Unfortunately I have never mig welded anything. I only tig weld. There is a great forum at http://weldingweb.com/ they will answer any AL mig welding questions. my email is rollandelliott at gmail dot com
Please recommend some sensors that will work with the EZboard.
Thanks!
well it depends what you want the sensors for.some are for navigation and path planing,so are for people detection,some for objects in the path of the robot, Almost any sensor made with work with EZB
ALso why not use PVC pipe instead its lighter and super easy to use
i have seen a create robot with a digtal camera ,but not with partyshot,i check it out and its very cool.
Also the scripts are so easy to make,a 10 year can do it without any programming needed
Thats what makes this EZB design so easy to program
once you have a plan on sensors needed someone here will help you with the code or check the exaples also and EZ-Cloud for codes