Inventing a wireless button pushing device for a taxi driver

[Greg Needel]

have you thought about something like this?
http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a...6-AMP/-/1.html

the range would be questionable but if the guy is fine with his baby monitor you could just use one of these with the controller attached to a 12v solenoid with a rubber finger mounted to press the button.

This could be a less than $50 solution with no microcontroller required.

[RyanN]

Originally Posted by Greg Needel

have you thought about something like this?
http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a...6-AMP/-/1.html

the range would be questionable but if the guy is fine with his baby monitor you could just use one of these with the controller attached to a 12v solenoid with a rubber finger mounted to press the button.

This could be a less than $50 solution with no microcontroller required.

That sounds like exactly what I'm looking for. Less work, and more professional looking. Thanks Greg!

[IKE]

I was going to suggest getting one of those and a power-lock solenoid from a junkyard. Put a nice cushy tip on the unlock knob and away you go.

[Gdeaver]

The solenoind from an old mechanical door bell has a rubber tip and takes little power. Good call on the all electronics part.

[RyanN]

Well, for almost the first time with me using AutoCad, I have made the part. However, it looks terrible, but I only really need it for the measurements and for making the part.

Yes, I'm posting this so late because I've been CADing all night...

Rough assembled drawing:


The actual part I'm going to make


The servo:


The touchscreen computer:


Also, for those with AutoCad, here are the actual drawings:
taxi computer.zip

As for the electronics, this is what I believe I'm going to use:

The remote control mentioned earlier in the thread by Greg. I also learned from the review that I can hack the remote to be a momentary button, which is even better for my needs.

A PICAXE 8 Starter kit seems to be a cheap easy to program micro controller.

Overall, here are the prices I have to make this:

$13.95 PICAXE 8 Starter Kit
$6.95 PICAXE Serial cable
$18.75 Key chain Remote
$1.59 5 Volt voltage regulator
$15 Aluminum
~$15 Servo
$Priceless labor

I expect it all to be about $80 or $90 when done with, then if I get time and labor, maybe I can get $50 or $60, which is at or below minimum wage for the time I've already spent for a total cost of $150. Anyone interested? Haha