Ez Encapsulated

The answer to all of your questions is yes and no. EZ-B requires a connection to a computer, either Windows, Android or iOS (and there are limits in Android and iOS, including your last question about voice recognition, which requires Windows).

There are sample ARC applications for each of the Revolution robots so you don't need to program them from scratch, but ARC is so simple, you could develop your own easily.

For performing on power up, you can have the computer running ARC running a script that tries to connect. If it can't find the EZ-B, it can sleep for a while (a few seconds or a few minutes depending on your needs), then try to connect again. Once successfully connected, it could start your pre-determined movements. Powering down the EZ-B after it is done is more challenging. You'll need some 3rd party stuff. Probably a relay that the EZ-B could trigger to cut the power, but not sure then how you would power it back up. If this is critical functionality, we can help you figure it out.

Your question about EZ falling... I am going to assume you are talking about the JD Revolution Robot, since of the Revolution bots, that is the only one that could fall over. You can add on the 4in1 sensor, and there is a sample application that uses it to determine if JD has fallen and execute the maneuvers to stand back up.

The JD does not come with a distance sensor, but again, one is available and determining if he is near an object is easy. The sensor only looks in one direction, and the JD design does not really lend itself to mounting sensors for 360 degree awareness.

All that being said, if you give some more information about what you are trying to achieve and why, there is one other possible solution. EZ-Robot made a bunch of "special" JD robots as sales samples for Brookstone. They were all in plastic enclosures, and all of their movements were pre-programmed on a special version of EZ-B so they would just do their movements when powered on and stop when powered off. This is not commercially available, but if you are a retailer and looking for a sample to help resell EZ-B, they might be able to help you out with that.

Alan

1. All revolution robots have sample projects with moves pre made.

2. The robot must be connected to an iPhone/ android/ pic to operate. If powered down, JD will act almost like you just took him out of the box. You would have to write a script to make the robot perform for 3 minutes.

3. In the connection control, you can add a script that will start when the ez-b/robot is connected. This could work closer to your goal.

4. The robot must be connected to a device running ARC to operate.

5. If the robot falls over, in the stock configuration he won't. You will need to add an orentation sensor to the robot, and write a script to take it into equation.

6. Stock, he is not aware of his surroundings. You would need to add a distance sensor to the front and script it to make sure he doesn't walk into something.

7. Once again, the robot must be connected to ARC on iPhone or android to operate. Nothing is available on the robot alone.

These may not the answers you wanted Jeffrey, but ez-robots are built for interaction and learning, not a display robot.

I would suggest you figure out how the demo robots at the retail stores are operated.

If you are a reseller and looking for a display case demo, similar to what we have designed for brookstone, Contact Us and we'll help you.

Hi Alan,

Thanks so much for your detailed reply.

I am trying to do exactly what you described.

Our company is a vending company and we are looking for novel ideas to get the public to buy our products and its difficult to find new ideas.

I saw an ad for Meccanoid and became interested in the concept as follows.

We have a cabinet that we used to use called a grabber. The jaw would come down and pick a toy. The machine is not working and I was about to dump it when I put 2 and 2 together and thought what fun to put a robot into the cabinet and have it do tricks for a £ (we are in the UK). Hence my questions.

Meccanoid is too big and I prefer something more nimble and exciting.

Comments please.

Thanks to DJ Sures. I am interested in your concept please can you provide more details.

Contact us goes to your Contact Us page but which contact do I use please

I suspect you would use the Contact Us page and click Reseller Partners, since you would like to be a reseller and carry ez-robot?

Also, here's an example of one of our retail displays. Brookstone has their own as well, which is a little different. The robot doesn't fall down, ever - because it has a hinge attached on the back foot to prevent him from falling over.

Thanks DJ Sures.

Your cabinet is the wrong sort but thanks any way.

Actually we are a vending company vending sweets and toys in capsules.

We are looking for unique ideas to interest the public and we all love robots.

A person would put a coin in a simple coin mechanism, turn the handle and the micro switch will be flipped turning the Robot on.

If you are interested in discussing this project let me know and we can talk.

I could envisage the cabinet being a good advertisement for us to sell the robot also.

We are in hundreds of sites throughout the UK.

Kind regards

Sounds like a neat project. Unfortunately, that isn't a project ez-robot would be interested in at this time.

A couple of ideas for you if you choose to pursue this.

1. Rather than powering the robotbon and off, have the microswitch connected to a digital port on the EZ-B and have ARC monitoring for when it goes high to start its routine.

2. Invest in an external power supply (see the user tutorials for a great one on power choices by @Steve G) so you don't need to worry about recharging the battery multiple times a day.

3. Use DJs idea from his store diaplays and attach one foot to the floor so you don't need to worry about falling down or hitting the wall.

Alan

Hi Alan,

That sounds like a possibility, thank you! The coin mechanism that we use is a simple mechanical one with a micro switch connected.

An external power supply sounds easy enough.

And although I feel bad for the little fella I would tie his foot down as suggested.

Would all this free the robot from needing an external computer or phone controller. So does the robot have internal movements or can I programme and have them saved within EX?

Kind regards

No, you still need a computer. This is not an Arduino that can be programmed with a few simple movements, it is a highly configurable, programmable robot, but needs the processing power of a computer to do the things it can do.

Take a look at this discussion https://synthiam.com/Community/Questions/8716

We are currently talking about the best way to explain to newcomers here what EZ-B is and why it is so much more than what you can achieve with programable chips. You are the target audience for this. You came here looking for information with some basic preconceptions, and could not easily find the answer you were looking for. Your insight into how you could have found out what EZ-B /ARC more quickly would be helpful.

Thanks I will take a look tomorrow.

Hi

I have just looked. Curiosity got the better of me.

So if I have a computer I can have the robot do whatever I want and repeat it as described in my other post?

Re how I could have found out the answers more quickly.

It needs one of John Carltons 22 page sales letter.

I have looked extensively on youtube and robotshop in Canada and no one seems to be clear on what the product is capable of or how to do it. Or they know and don't think its worth telling you.

I have seen the robot dance and sing and presumed it all came from the robots programming internally.

So it occurs to me that no one that I have seen knows how to market the product . It needs a John Carlton or some one who knows how to write copy and be informative and not presume that everyone knows what the youtubes or robotshop does.

Its all very poor really. You all have been great and I now have a much better understanding. Thank you all.

Hope this helps!

So you see I did the same thing presuming you all know who John Carlton is.

Well his is one of the worlds greatest copywriters for advertising....To the point, hitting all the right spots and he writes very lengthy informative copy.

By the time you have finished reading you want the product. He has earned Billions for his clients and no doubt many millions for himself.

Quote:

So if I have a computer I can have the robot do whatever I want and repeat it as described in my other post?

Exactly.

And the community here will help with the tricky parts (getting it to respind to a switch, power questions).

Alan

Brilliant thanks. Speak tomorrow or Minday.

Again, I will remind you that EZ-Robot will pass on this opportunity and will not warranty product for this use. Thanks and best of luck!

Got it thanks.

Here are a few links to help know what you need.

for a power supply, you need something that can supply 20 amps because Servos draw a lot of power when they first start up, and JD ahs a lot of servos. See this tutorial by @Steve G: https://synthiam.com/Tutorials/UserTutorials/163/1 and this one by Techno: https://synthiam.com/Tutorials/UserTutorials/170/1

You'll need to remove the battery from JD and connect to the power supply. I don't have a JD, so I can't provide specific instructions, but it should be pretty self evident. I don't know if he uses a DEANS or a Mini-DEANS connector, but you'll need one of those (they only cost a few cents).

For a computer, there are a lot of small, cheap, windows computers available that would be more than sufficient for your needs. See this thread for several suggestions: https://synthiam.com/Community/Questions/8714

If you want to use voice commands, most of those will need an external microphone.

Triggering a script which starts your "routing" is super simple. Just connect the micro-switch to the signal and ground pins on a spare digital port of the EZ-B and then have a script wait for the pin to go high to start the routine.

I or someone else here can provide more guidance when the time comes. In the mean time, I suggest taking the Revolution JD course https://synthiam.com/Tutorials/Course/1 to familiarize yourself with how to assemble and use JD and get some ideas about what you will be able to do with it. Reading through the script manual https://synthiam.com/Tutorials/UserTutorials/169/1 and ARC manual https://synthiam.com/Tutorials/Help.aspx can also help get you ready for the arrival of your JD.

Alan

Alan, you keep responding to help this individual after each ezrobot's response that this is not an application ezrobot warrants use for - might be confusing for this person if you're still providing assistance.

I see DJ's message and I can only say thank you so much to all who have given me such valuable assistance.

I note DJ message and can only ask "then what is the robot used for".

It comes down to my last message about marketing.

Alan and others have given me a great insight into the robot but I don't understand DJs comment.

If this project is not what the robot is to be used for then what is it to be used for?

My application will interest 100 if not thousands of people and may help to sell the robot.

Is this forum just for people who are so immersed in the product that they forget any applications to get the outside world interested?

Frankly with respect I don't understand, but thanks anyway.

Kind regards

Sorry DJ, I thought you were just talking about not supplying the auto-running demo version you made for Brookstone.

I was answering technical questions with technical guidance similar to questions and answers many have asked and even you and your own staff have answered (Jeremie has provided a lot of guidance on power supplies).

Is it because he is going to charge money to have the robot interact? I didn't realize that commercial use of EZ products invalidated the warrenty. Do Will and David know that? They might want to choose a different direction for Alan and Rafiki if they can't warranty part of the product.

Alan

Under the terms of use, any for profit product requires a licensing agreement or permission with ez-robot - which within our community, Will, Dave, Anthony and others (for corporate and industry use) have EZ-Robot permission. Additionally, what most licensees are doing is not using Revolution product-line - which is a different licensing arrangement. The EZ-B has much less stringent restrictions than the Revolution robot products, as well - for obvious reasons. Much like with this situation, anyone or identity using ez-robot for product use has had dialog with ez-robot. Usually it is through private discussion, but it can happen in public if the initiator chooses. Dialog with other licensed products, such as mentioned by Alan happen outside of the public forum using different means of communications, such as email and phone.

Regarding the 300 Brookstone self-contained ez-robot display units. For technical understanding, they do not require a PC and are self-contained with internal code. Those units are also licensed specifically to Brookstone and the license is none-transferable. This applies to the other retail locations with live action EZ-Robot demos.

Additionally, warranty on physical hardware does not apply to commercial use, including servos, batteries and components which endure wear and tear - which is common sense. Physical modification of ez-robot product for use outside of intended design will void warranty. Relabeling or re-branding ez-robot product will void trademark rights. Using EZ-Robot brand in third party applications, services or products will challenge the terms of use as well. All of this is common sense and without reviewing the terms of use, is mere business ethics.

To answer Jeff's question, the information of what ez-robot is used for is located everywhere on this website, including the about section, videos, product descriptions and terms of use. This forum does not represent the ez-robot product line, as this forum is for ez-robot support and ez-robot product owner community. You may be misunderstanding by assuming the www.ez-robot.com website is a forum, when the forum is only located under the Community link.

How the website, and all websites work is through a menu navigation. On the top of this website will be words/titles, which are actually clickable links - meaning place the mouse cursor on the link title and press the mouse button. This will load a new page, which is still on the www.ez-robot.com website. This can be identified by recognizing the title banner and the URL in the address bar both displaying EZ-Robot. Understanding that, you now have the ability to view products and other content hosted on the website, which is entirely EZ-Robot specific content.

The best method to obtain a complete overview of ez-robot is through the video on the main page of this website, which can be accessed by pressing the logo from the top of this page or any page on the ez-robot.com website. Locate the the video on the home page, and press the play button to view the video.

Again, thank you for presenting the opportunity to ez-robot for use in coin operated vending machines as entertainment. However, EZ-Robot will not pursue this opportunity at this time and will maintain it's direction in education and r&d applications.

Unless this information is conveyed incorrectly or misunderstood, I will no longer be participating in this thread. Thanks again!

Thanks for the clarification DJ.

I see it in the terms of use page now.

Last time I read that was quite some time ago. It is a good bit more sophisticated now.

Jeff: https://www.ez-robot.com/Terms-of-Use.aspx

After the web site terms of use are the hardware and software terms of use.

Alan

DJ thanks for the reply.

I sort of understand and have no wish to disrupt the forum. I am really out of my depth.

I will carry on the search for the correct product.

Thank you all for your help and I wish you all, a happy holiday.

Kind regards

Jeffrey

You too Jeffrey, and thanks again for considering EZ-Robot!

I will recommend that there is a robot company who I know has historically provided service level support and design. They are http://www.trossenrobotics.com. They have designed self contained robots for a few companies at a service level. For robot companies, they might be the closest thing to having something of what you're looking for or they would at least be able to make something.

@DJ, you're a class act. A complete gentleman in business and society. First you try to help the guy, then when you find his application will infringe on copyright you tell him you can't help him but then turn around and help him by showing him a viable option. Nice work. This is one of the many reasons EZ Robot is going to be around for a long time.

Many thanks. Live long and prosper!

To Gurutech many thanks for your information and offer of advice.

Thanks also for the offer to help if needed. I am not sure which way to go yet. It really shows that you can have a good idea but implementing it is another thing.

My email is j.newman5@btinternet.com. If I need your help or advice can I ask? You can always refuse.

Also I can pay for help so please email me if you are interested. I don't want to take liberties!

Kind regards

Jeffrey