Using a iPad mini to control a feather

[Gabe01]

We are nearly ready to test our code, can anyone find a problem in the rules regarding using an iPad over a conventional control?

[Ellis]

Re: Using a iPad mini to control a feather

Sounds cool! Does/would it failsafe? Is there any risk of interference?

[Gabe01]

Re: Using a iPad mini to control a feather

It does failsafe, and as to interference, we are using a bluetooth connection, once paired it should be fine, it will need testing of course.

[typhoon_driver]

Re: Using a iPad mini to control a feather

no no no no. I don't care if it's in the rules or not. I can't think of anything as dangerous as trying to control a robot via bluetooth on a smart phone

[jonny]

Re: Using a iPad mini to control a feather

you could you use a wifi receiver like the one here:

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor ... eiver.html

[Anttazz]

Re: Using a iPad mini to control a feather

Bluetooth range is less than 10m with line of sight isnt it? Could be a bit reminiscent of old school radio control where you can only drive around in half of the arena before losing control.

If it works it'd be something a bit different though I suppose.

[PJ-27]

Re: Using a iPad mini to control a feather

I've a bit of experience in using iOS devices as alternative input controls and would say BlueTooth is too buggy.

In the past I have used TouchOSC and the OSC protocol over Wi-Fi (which I believe is 2.4ghz) which should be more stable.

Points for innovation though! I dunno who did the Wii Contoller / Board work for the Gadget Show when James and Grant made Satan's Mutt but they interfaced the Bluetooth controllers with a 2.4Ghz standard controller and used that to transmit.
I know 'Running in the Halls' did all the coding work for the BF3 simulator so could be them?

[grant_ploughbot]

Re: Using a iPad mini to control a feather

I've a bit of experience in using iOS devices as alternative input controls and would say BlueTooth is too buggy.

In the past I have used TouchOSC and the OSC protocol over Wi-Fi (which I believe is 2.4ghz) which should be more stable.

Points for innovation though! I dunno who did the Wii Contoller / Board work for the Gadget Show when James and Grant made Satan's Mutt but they interfaced the Bluetooth controllers with a 2.4Ghz standard controller and used that to transmit.
I know 'Running in the Halls' did all the coding work for the BF3 simulator so could be them?

Awesome to see you are planning on controlling your robot with an Ipad mini!
PJ - we create all our own software, both in the feedback side of things on the BF3 sim, with our wii mote/balance board RC controller etc.
We have also created some recently that can control robot's over the internet through the spektrum and futaba buddy leads on an Xbox controller or even a head tracker.

Gabe - if you have any issue's with your connection let us know and we could possibly point you in a few directions to help get it reliable. Good luck with it

[PJ-27]

Re: Using a iPad mini to control a feather

Impressive! Sorry for almost misplacing your credit.

[grant_ploughbot]

Re: Using a iPad mini to control a feather

No worries there were about 6 companies involved all doing various things on the BF3 sim, so easy to get confused!
We have a project on Stephen Fry: Gadget Man tonight at 8.30 using some of the above software.

[typhoon_driver]

Re: Using a iPad mini to control a feather

Sorry am I the only one that sees this as being incredibly risky?

Great idea for a non combat robot but I wouldn't want to go near a machine with a weapon attached run off an ipad or similar

[elobire]

Re: Using a iPad mini to control a feather

Sorry am I the only one that sees this as being incredibly risky?

Great idea for a non combat robot but I wouldn't want to go near a machine with a weapon attached run off an ipad or similar

Why not? As long as there is a fail safe in place and the thing shuts down when told then i dont see the problem. It would probably behave exactly like a normal robot.

[typhoon_driver]

Re: Using a iPad mini to control a feather

You are using a communication medium with a raft of interference. You are also writing custom code and protocols to control the machine. So many ways for a rogue signal or command to sneak in. sure it may fail safe on the bench but the arena is a different kettle of fish entirely

[typhoon_driver]

Re: Using a iPad mini to control a feather

You are using a communication medium with a raft of interference. You are also writing custom code and protocols to control the machine. So many ways for a rogue signal or command to sneak in. sure it may fail safe on the bench but the arena is a different kettle of fish entirely

[Eventorizon]

Re: Using a iPad mini to control a feather

Every piece of coding is custom. As long as you can write code properly then it makes no difference. The only thing I am concerned about here is the bluetooth simply because of the range but heck swap it for an Xbee. And if Robochallenge can wire up a Wii then why not an iPad? Or a Xbox controller? Playstation Move? Lewis Hamilton drove his F1 car from an iPhone 3GS, at full speed around Silverstone!

And 2.4Ghz isn't fool proof either. My machine ended up getting stuck in a high speed spin during testing due to the Wifi at uni. It has happened twice in exactly the same location. The one time I was there and it didn't happen was because they had turned off the Wifi to do a software update.