Lappy-Bot

BoredHasScrewdriver · Post by **BoredHasScrewdriver** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 7:14 pm

So one of my friends went off to college in another state, but would rather be in his home state. Using the knowledge I had, I came up with the idea for a USB webcam/mike for eyes and ears, and souped up earphones for a mouth. The device would use the remote control function that allows you to control a computer using the Internet to control this bad boy. I have 2 problems though. First, I need USB wheels or some other way to move this box around. Second I need ways to open doors and stuff, but that could be left up to the kindness of the students.

As far as keeping people off, I may attach saw blades or spikes that shoot out, though I will also need to have those on USB or some other port. I am wondering if the wheels are possible or already exist. (or any USB motor for that matter)

Edit: found this -> http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/rc/966d/ is there any way I could put the controller chip in a larger car?

Reven · Post by **Reven** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 8:28 pm

Finding a usb motor would be rare and not very useful. A motor by itself does not allow you to control speed. The Usb is generally used for the motor controller which is then used to power the motor and control the speed through PMW (pulse width modulation; unless you're running stepper motors, which is a whole other story).

EDIT: After a quick search on Google, it seems that most motor controllers are for steppers. This might not be ideal for you since steppers suck power much more then DC motors and they're used only when precision is important.

Post by **bicostp** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 8:40 pm

This is definitely possible; you'll just need some kind of programmable USB interface. MacAddict (now MacLife) magazine did something like that back around 2000. They called it the 'iBorg'. Sadly, it didn't get too far because the guy who was working on it was busy with other things, and the iBook they were using got stolen.

If the laptop you're using has a parallel port, you can use an old floppy drive as a camera tilt control. (Utilizing its stepper motor and controller.)

http://www.codeproject.com/KB/system/floppystepper.aspx
http://ashishrd.blogspot.com/2006/11/ca ... -port.html

BoredHasScrewdriver · Post by **BoredHasScrewdriver** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 8:41 pm

Pretty much all I want is for the computer to be the controller as you say, I'm just asking if that is possible or done.

BoredHasScrewdriver · Post by **BoredHasScrewdriver** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 8:53 pm

@bicostp: the webcam I am using has a built in actuator that goes up and down and side to side (picked it out special

)

I'm currently looking for a laptop that will suit the needs of the project and so far it is going fairly well, also we may run some tests for wi-fi signal strength on campus.

Reven · Post by **Reven** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 9:01 pm

BoredHasScrewdriver wrote:Pretty much all I want is for the computer to be the controller as you say, I'm just asking if that is possible or done.

Well the computer does "control" the motor, but it has to do so through a motor driver. A computer does not have the hardware built-in that is necessary to control speed and direction.