Telepresence

Question

Hi guys, My name is Gerry Mekdeci and I am a hydroponic farmer in Guyana (South America). For those of you also interested in hydroponics my website is jtm.gy

I am starting a new hydroponics farm an hour and a half from my home and due to the country's lack of hirable management personnel, I need a telepresence on the farm.

I love roli. I think he would be an awesome addition to our staff. My question is how can we get him to operate in an area 400 feet by 700 feet outdoors?

Thanks

Gerry

Dunning-Kruger · Answer

Boosted Wifi, but I don't think Roli would be a good choice for your purpose... It is a light duty robot chassis, meant for indoor use... You need a heavy duty weatherproof robot base that is capable of an outdoor environment... I would consider adding solar panels to the robot as well as a full days operation may have power constraints... Even if Roli could handle being outdoors in the dirt and mud, you still wouldn't be able to cram enough batteries in him to last a whole day.... EZB4 might be a good choice, but your robot base will need to be different...

Rich · Answer

The V4 is WiFi enabled, you could install a wireless network and include various extenders throughout which will then increase the range as required. Since Roli is pretty small an on board PC may not be possible or plausible but if one is then you would fit a PC on board, connect the EZ-B to the on board PC and also have a GPRS dongle to allow for remote control over the internet, the range would then be only limited by the mobile signal.

GerryMekdeci · Answer

Thanks myerson. I don't need roli to run all day, two hours at most. There will be staff on site to change his batteries and service him as necessary under my direction via skype. I don't need him to operate in the rain mainly because pump failures on rainy days don't result in damage to crops. The soil type is pure quartz sand which is almost permanently dry. No mud. None of this means that I am against other options. Can't seem to find images of ezb4. Thanks again

GerryMekdeci · Answer

Hi Rich, How about a smart phone with 4g? Gerry

Jeremie · Answer

Hello @GerryMekdeci While we haven't fully tested the outdoor range of the EZ-Bv4 but I am quite certain that with some high-gain antenna's on your router (or repeater) you should be able to reach the distances you require and Telepresence into Roli from remote location via the internet or network. Since the EZ-Bv4 has both WiFi Ad-Hoc and Infrastructure conductivity I don't think you'll need an additional PC or mobile phone physically attached to the robot as you'll be able to control it over the wireless network connection via a remote PC, laptop, or smart phone. 2 hour battery life with Roli should be fine for stop and look kind of driving and you are completely correct, you can have anyone hook the robot back up to the simple LiPo charger once that Roli comes with once you are done operating him. We are definitely interested in this kind of application as we are looking to grow into a business with enterprise solutions, thanks for your contribution to the forum! Here's an image of the EZ-Bv4:

edison2 · Answer

Hey there! First you need to buy a ubiquiti outdoor (really good for what you need...) And I recommend you to get a bigger chassis for the robot.. You can get one on eBay for $80 and the put ezbv4 on it... Because rolli is not going to support because it is an indoor robot... Good luck

GerryMekdeci · Answer

Hi Skater And Edison Thank you for your replies. If I am ordering roli how do I specify the ezbv4 or is that the standard controller. I looked at the ubiquiti outdoor https://www.balticnetworks.com/ubiquiti-unifi-ap-outdoor-2-4ghz.html will this unit work with the ezbv4. And lastly and I apologise in advance for springing this on you, can roli's camera be upgraded (low lux and/or night vision) Thank you all for taking the time to reply. Gerry

CardboardHacker · Answer

EZ-B v4 is standard in roli. I heard that Roli's camera works well in low light conditions. If you want night vision you could attach lights to roli's head(LEDS).

GerryMekdeci · Answer

Awesome thank you Technopro. I know that it says technopro resolved the question but the menu does not allow multiple choices. You have all been exceedingly helpful. Thank you once again. Gerry

GerryMekdeci

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