Asked
— Edited
Hi guys.
I am currently looking at a Roomba IRobot 530 on a popular auction site I want to get. I don't wish to appear rude but I need some quick advice before I place a bid, as the clock is ticking. eek
Does the 530 have a comms port to connect the EZ-B4?
Is the 530 compatible with the EZ-B4?
I've never had a robot vac so it's all new to me. I know DJ does reference the iRobot but there's no mention on models.
Cheers.
@Rickard R, that would be nice. Like you I could then consider taking advantage of the two way conversation possibility.
@Robot-Doc.
If you wouldn't mind, I just wondered what you meant by this. Could you elaborate?
The built in Roomba control panel doesn't work that well with the 500 series... I was just telling Doc that I use scripts and the custom movement control to control both the 400 and 500 series roombas, anyway.... I have a script that you can use to drive around your 530... However, saying that I haven't tried to control the 500 series roomba's vacuum and brushes yet... I am sure it will work via scripts, though... Also, reading the roomba's sensors via the UART is another story... So far (and this is on a 400 series iRobot Create) I have only been able to read just the bump and wheel drop sensors (no battery voltage or any other 2 byte receive)... So in other words, don't worry you'll be able to control your Roomba...
Okay thanks Richard, and having your script would be a great start for me. I was looking through the posts yourself and Doc posted and I must admit I was a little lost at what you were talking about in regards to using the D0 pin and pre built EZ-B overlays.
Is there a Roomba example in ARC? I'm away from my laptop at the moment so can't look.
Look in the cloud here under sharing in the drop down box for my 500 series Roomba example...
The pre-built overlays and other Roomba controls were built by DJ and use the D0 port of the EZB(4) to send commands to the Roomba. The D0 port is wired to a 7-pin min din connector using the Gnd lead and the signal lead of D0 is the Xmit lead that is connected to the Rec pin in the 7-pin mini din connector. I believe DJs example shows using a PS2 connector which is an 8 pin mini din plug.
Great, thanks for clearing that up Doc. Using my mobile/cell at the moment, so I'll have a look at your example Richard, when I get home.
:D
Look what the very nice delivery driver left for me today 
Charged and tested, and all working okay. And this is the overall robot design I'm playing with. (It's the one on the right.
)