jayceekeys
Hi there,
I'm Jay from the UK and have a few questions!
I've been into electronics, Arduino and robots for years. My last robot was the Wowwee Rovio ..... great as it could be controlled over the web and it had vid, but it's no longer supported and after fixing it many times over the years, it has now died ! Unfortunately there isn't a replacement off the shelf robot that does video streaming over the net.
Over the last 6 months I've built a 3D printer and thought well why don't I just build my own? I could program an Arduino and print the robot parts ... maybe buy some other parts that I need to too.
My biggest thing is that I need to be able to connect wirelessy over the net and get video too.
Although I could program servos etc easily from an Arduino, it does present the problem of how I build an interface on a PC or iPhone. I'm really good with electronics, but haven't done PC or iPhone software before.
I surfed the net for ages to find out whether there were any apps or software that would interface with an Arduino, and found one that worked with the WiFly board which could connect to the Arduino. The trouble is, although there is an off the shelf app by Axemblo
Click Here , and it shows an IP camera, and can control a robot (forward backwards etc), I don't think it is easily (if at all) customizable in case I want to add extra buttons etc. I ordered the WiFly board (Roving Networks / Sparkfun RN-XV) so I could have a play and see if I can get it controlling a Mega 2560 I have,
Then I found this site !
Ok so my questions ....
Does the software only work with the EZ-B (I'm guessing it works on bluetooth?). I really do want to use wifi due to range considerations.
What language does the EZ-B use? I'm used to Arduino, but be handy if I don't have to learn a completely new language.
Can the EZ-B use the WiFly that I have just bought (I have no problem buying the EZ-B as it sounds like a great piece of kit). I just don;t want to buy it and then find that I have to do incredibly difficult programing to build some sort of interface / converter.
Sorry if it's loads of questions, but this sounds sooooooo exciting and it seems just what I need!
Thanks,
J 
EZ-B V3 (now discontinued but what we all currently use) is Bluetooth but could be upgraded to WiFi. EZ-B V4 (currently in pre-order, hopefully shipping will start after the Chinese new year) is WiFi.
The EZ-B can be controlled via ARC (Windows GUI), ARC Mobile (Android only currently and in very early stages) and the EZ-SDK (SDK for C# etc.). To be honest, ARC is the easiest option, the controls are simple but it also has scripting for more complex functions. Start with ARC (download it now, it's free), have a play, see how you get on, ask if you have questions we will answer.
The EZ-B and ARC are stupidly easy to use. As I said, download ARC, add some controls, look at the options, if you can't figure something out just look in the Learn section of the site or ask here and someone will answer. Your biggest problem is going to be funding the hobby, you will end up wanting a whole robot army
Oh, and welcome to the community. It's always nice to see someone else from the UK join up (there are a few of us around). Where in the UK are you?
Hi guys,
Thanks for the replies ..... I'm from just outside Taunton in Somerset.
Jay
Software only works with ez-b. EZ-B V3 uses Bluetooth, EZ-B V4 uses wifi. The Ez-b can be used wit vb, c++, and c#. ARC is the ez-b software that I use. Its easy and you learn a lot from it. It also has it's own simple code you can code with. I'd recommend using it first. Using the wifly is possible, though it might take some time. How better to learn ez-script! Although, the v4 has wifi so it wouldnt be necessary.
Welcome to the forum and I hope you enjoy the ez-robot experience!
Welcome. Jay from The UK. (That's fun to say!) I didn't have any electronics or robotics experience and I was researching Aurdino/Electronics and Bioloids/Robotics and discovered EZ-Robot. EZ-Robot is incredibly easy to use. I think you're going to love what EZ-Robot has to offer.
Hmmmmm ....
Just realised, the IOS / iPhone app isn't available at the moment stress , has anyone got any idea when it will be available? Looks like the V4 board isn't available either for another couple of months either ?(then shipping to the UK). Argh ..... patience never was my strong point LOL.
Have had a look around the software and it looks really good so far. I was hoping that there would be more 3D files, but it doesn't look like there's many at all.
Jay
iOS version wont be released until the V4s have started shipping at the earliest. iOS is only available for the V4 due to the bluetooth and iOS not being at all helpful when it comes to bluetooth.
Shipping to the UK isn't long though. Both of my V3 orders arrived within a week which surprised me. Be aware there may be duty and tax to pay on them though (mine was about £20 on each).
More 3D files will be coming but EZ-Robots have been busy. The 3D stuff and the revolution is still pretty new. It's been all go with getting the new V4 boards sorted. Once everything is in place I am sure we will see more 3D stuff from EZ-Robots. There is info available on the EZ-Clip system so you could always make your own bits and share them with the community
Well I was originally thinking of designing something like a rover type unit - it's for indoors only so don't really need tracks. But then I've been looking a few different designs ... the spider octobots are cool but probs not the best camera platform. I do like the humanoid robots .... I saw this one on youtube and it's cool as! This is cool I do love the eyes and head - not sure what these are done with (small lcd screens?).
If I am to wait a couple of months for the electronics, I guess I could start on the body design and printing etc. I was originally thinking that whatever design, that I would use 360 degree servos for the drive rather than motors. Does this sound like a good plan or should I be going down the geared motor route? I just hope that if I commit to this platform, that the IOS interface does come to fruition as it would be a deal breaker for me.
Feel free to steer me and give me suggestions ! I guess if I'm building before I get the electronics, then it's going to need accurate dimensions for everything to make sure it all fits !
Jay
Fixed video:
If your building a robot that you want some speed to go with, geared motors are the way to go. if you want high torque, the same goes.