Well, I've been at a standstill on this guy for months due to parts issues and time constraints.
Got the parts, got the time. So, with no further adieu...
Image #1 shows the aftermath of converting the head to being able to nod. I thought long and hard about how I could keep the original eye movement mechanism, but after long debate (and lack of a good solution), I went ahead and removed most of the stock material and, using a micro 9 oz. metal gear servo, put a tube across the eyes and attached it to the top of the neck (modified to basically be a saddle for the tube). The servo is mounted in the left eye socket, and fits quite well.
OK, that's it for this post. Next up is audio, and programming.
By cyberdude
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Looking really good!
Looking good. Love the mounting plate for head rotation.
I removed the antenna mount, USB connector and switch from the camera. Made it easier to clam the eye all back together. I extended the antenna leads and relocated the antenna to Wall-E's body side.
@lumpy, good idea. Since this is my first foray, I figured I'd get him all functional, and play, then decide next steps.
I hear ya.
Antenna connector if you need new.
www.sparkfun.com/products/593
Soldered onto this
www.sparkfun.com/products/8808
Cheers,
Wow! All the electronics within the enclosure look very intact and organized. Well done!
Thank you. The battery situation is challenging because the drain is quite high and the 6 cells rain quickly.
I'll post finishing shots later in the week.
OK, So Wall-E is put back together (mostly). I stuck the supplied battery pack into the inner side edge of the body, but it REALLY doesn't last very long, so I have him tethered to a 6v Gell Cell for development purposes.
Here are some picks:
Wall-E is waving!
Here's his back. Yes, the board does fit in his back and I am able to close him up...but that rarely happens...
And here's one of the reasons why. I'm adding a new MP3 board. Damnedest thing happen to the first one I installed. Worked fine, but then lost serial functionality. The board initializes, but after playing the first sound automatically on init, I have no control. MDFly of course doesn't stock it anymore, so I got a different model from them. This one works the same way, but requires TWO voltage sources...One for the signal level line, the other to power the board. SO I took the little battery from the wireless camera (3.3 volts) and jury rigged it to work. Now I'm waiting for a hand full of 3.3v step down converters from China. I'll be able to put one in line with the 5v ext. power of the EZB and run it to the MP3 board (hopefully), otherwise, I have to run it from a second terminal set off the battery.
This is a very tidy build. I like how you have thought things out.
Here's the first "real" script I wrote for him. If he gets boxed in, he checks around him to see if there's a way out. If not, he'll back up.
Since its really a test condition, its meant to be called as a routine from a larger general script, like a "wonder around" type of script.
I'll post the code in examples as "Boxed in".
*Disclaimer: I am NOT a programmer, so I make no claims to the cleanliness, clarity, buginess, etc. Use at your own risk.
Of course, you're welcome to improve it and tell me about it
Awesome very inspiring cyberdude and Thanks for all the great pics!
Wow, that wall-e actually looks smaller than the U-command, i noticed you say its based off of it. Can you tell me which Wall-e toy that was? Or if it is the U-command?
This is the U-Command model.
OK, as promised, here are some updates to the project...
Okely Dokely, here's what we have...
This is the AU5032 from MDFly.
This is a 5v step down circuit that I picked up from eBay. (I have a few more if ya need one.) " AMS1117-3.3 DC/DC Step-Down Voltage Regulator Adapter Convertor W 3.3V Out"
This is also from MDFly: Logic Level Converter - 2.5v/3.3v/5v. I could have used two of these instead of the AMS1117 above, but this was $2.95 PLUS shipping from MDFly whereas the AMS1117 was $2.17 for FIVE INCLUDING SHIPPING!
Amplifier (the sound card is not amplified)
Speaker.
So the deal is that this particular sound card requires TWO 3.3v voltage inputs to function; one drives the comms signal, the other drives the circuit. I'm no EEE, so I have no idea why, I just know that I needed both.
All in all, it set me back something like $24 bucks not including the speaker and micro card (I had both laying around.)
Also, I should mention that one set of leads goes to a free port on the controller. the voltage-only leads go to the 5v out pins on the controller. I wasn't using them for anything else, so there ya go. It uses typical serial comms.
Very well explained, these contributions are appreciated, and a whole costs something like half the price of the trigger mp3 spankfun. Does that mean that the communication via ez-b from any port makes digital?
If I understand your question correctly, the answer is, the signal and signal voltage comes from and digital port. The second voltage can come from any port supplying 5v, but since there's a 5v for external power head, I used that for the second power feed.