Control system for Project robot?

[VPpanther]

Hi guys
Our team will be building a robot as a special project. But we cant afford to use a Roborio and motor controllers. high Performance isnt a huge issue, is there anyway we could have a properly functioning robot running off some sort of mini-computer like a arduino (with no motor controllers)? we actually have a Nvidia Jetson Tk1 could we use that?

Any help would be appreciated
Thank you

[MrForbes]

Might depend on what kind of motors you are using to drive the robot. If they are big motors like the CIM, then you really do need speed controllers. If they are quite a bit smaller, you might be able to get away with using relays, but robot control will be difficult. Or you can use smaller less expensive motor controllers if you use smaller motors.

We've built some robots using vEx control systems, but you could use an arduino or any other controller that has enough outputs.

[VPpanther]

thank you for the quick response,

we were hoping to build a full fledged chassis and robot with with atleast 6 CIM motors, what do you think would be the most cost effective solution to having these fully operational? could we buy 6 motor controllers and control them through a cheaper alternative to the roborio? or could we control them through a vex system?
our problem is a very tight budget.

[Mark McLeod]

You'll need motor controllers for the CIMs, but they can be controlled from a Vex system.

There are other control systems that can do the job, but you have to decide on your basic needs, e.g., wireless/tethered, joysticks you may want to use, etc.

[VPpanther]

Well here is a list of the basics we'll need:
-operate at least 6 CIM motors
-wireless control
-be able to be controlled with joysticks and/or game pad
-operate several solenoids for pnematics
-operate a pneumatic pump

Pretty much a fully fledged FRC robot, our problem is that we can not afford a roborio which would cost us more than $500 CAD

[Alan Anderson]

Are you still using your cRIO from last year?

[VPpanther]

The robot is actually to give away to a sponsor for use in tradeshows/events. Plus the cRIO from last year is part of our rookie robot that we are very proud of and we really don't want take it apart

[GeeTwo]

An arduino with a wireless module is certainly up to this, understanding that you will need some real motor controllers for CIMs. It is also possible, depending on how many user controls you are planning to have, that you can use xBee as your wireless controller. This would let you make a small handheld controller with nothing but an xBEE, a battery, and the actual joysticks and buttons to control the robot. There are several xBee-to-Arduino adapter shields available. This is the basic model we used on our air cannon, which has four CIM-controlled talons on the drive system and two 3/4" pneumatic solenoid valves controlled from 5V relay modules controlled from an arduino with an xBee shield. We are also planning to add another talon-controlled and potentiometer-steered rotator for the guns next year. The hardware is all there, we just need to write the software.

[tStano]

I'm not entirely sure how the programming of this thing works, but it made a similar project of ours drive(with only 2 motors and no pneumatics though). Its got 6 channels for 6 motors.
http://www.andymark.com/product-p/am-2520.htm

You might want to look into HobbyKing for speedcontrollers and batteries and other alternate control systems stuff.

[JacobD]

http://firstchoicebyandymark.com/fc15-019

Those are an option. But, you missed out on the best deal.

http://firstchoicebyandymark.com/fc15-049

[GeeTwo]

Originally Posted by GeeTwo

four CIM-controlled talons

I must have been tired! That should read

four talon-controlled CIMs

[ajlapp]

Personally I think Arduino powered robot controllers are the way to go...

We manufacture a low-cost easy to operate unit for just these purposes.

Gorgon Robot Controller

These units are programmed with Arduino and come with an easy-to-use driver station app that lets you control them with gamepads...just like the cRIO or RobotRIO.

These are also available through Andymark.

[ajlapp]

Of course if you want to just use an off-the-shelf Arduino you can get our driver station and libraries for free here....these let give you instant remote access to your Arduino for any robot project.

RobotOpen Hardware Agnostic Library

[Rainydaymaker]

The Robot Open looks great. I have been looking at the hardware agnostic version. Will this allow me to use a Yun without an additional shield or digital sidecar?

[ajlapp]

Unfortunately the HA library currently only supports the Arduino Ethernet or Ethernet Shield.

That said...it works great and gives you a lot of flexibility!