I know this is a long post, but I have a lot of questions.
I've been thinking about making a PC controlled robot (not for FIRST). I was planning to use an EDU controller to control the motors and a serial interface from a PC to send motor commands to the controller. I was thinking of using a MiniBox
picoPSU-120 and standard computer parts(the celeron 1.2 ghz desktop thats laying in my basement
). Does anyone see a reason this power supply wouldn't work?
Next, I was considering using web cams on this robot(color tracking). Has anyone tried this, and if they did how?
What kinds of safeties could I use? the robot will be autonomous and wireless, and I don't want it running away.
Also if I made this work is their any reason I couldn't use this on a FIRST robot? I have read the 2006 manual, and I don't see anything to prohibit it. I know believe I can make this work for around $300(no single part should be more than about $75 so it should pass the $200 electronics rule) and -15 lbs.
EDIT: as I was looking I found this PSU
M1-atx it is also manufactured by minibox, but has high voltage tolerances.