Gumstix Programming

[lupjohn]

Originally Posted by EHaskins

I've been considering purchasing a gumstix computer( netstix 200xm-cf, or waysmall 400mhz). I know many teams have used gumsitxs on their robots, and I'm curious how you've programmed them?

I don't have access to a linux computer , and I have never done any linux programming , but I have done lots of Windows and embedded programming. I would appreciate any linux programming resources, or code for gumstixs, but more than anything I would like any comments on gumsitx, or any other systems you've used.

I know someone will ask so I'll say now. I plan to use the gumstix in a position tracking system, and poisably connect a web cam to replace the $&%#$^ CUMCam. I also want to be able to save a record of all inputs, motor outputs, and any other data I can so I can replay a match virtually to help identify problems.

EDIT: After looking through the gumstix models I'm leaning towards a Waysmall due to the serial ports.
Thanks,
Eric Haskins

Eric and all;
Microsoft has intro'd their robotics suite which drew dubious comments in previous threads. However I have read the interviews in several pubs and actually downloaded the August edition to play with. It would seem to me if this product is successful then the gumstix/winCE/VS2005( or facimile of the same) environment could be in the future of at least FRC. I would not be supprised if the DVD of the Robotic Studio ends up in the KOP for 2007. First's close ties with MIT would predict that some sort of global robotics software environment will eventually become part of the KOP of the near future. LRU.

[fowlerm]

Originally Posted by lupjohn

It would seem to me if this product is successful then the gumstix/winCE/VS2005( or facimile of the same) environment could be in the future of at least FRC. I would not be supprised if the DVD of the Robotic Studio ends up in the KOP for 2007.

I don't think this will happen any time soon. MSRS doesn't have runtime support for Windows CE yet, so you would need to have Windows XP Embedded (and a 32-bit PC) running on your robot, which isn't practical at all.

If we were to get any of the new Microsoft development technology to play with next year I would think that it would be the .NET Micro Framework, but this is unlikely. The IFI RC would require different hardware and I don't think Microchip would be too receptive to moving away from their microcontroller line.

[Max2007]

All,

Totally new to the world of robotics, but have been doing some reading and the gumstix looks like a good starting place , as its a new chip. Most of the pre-built bots I seem are all based around PIC chips, which seem very old now.

Looking at this thread it seems some people have been able to get the gumstix working with .NET, which for me is good news as that my background. Would be could if someone could PM or post an idiot guide to how to do this and what stix they bought. As the idea of linux is one I would like to avoid

Thanks in advance

M

[gobeavs]

If I'm familiar with linux (gui and command line), is a gumstix easy to get running? Or is there some setup that needs to be done or any kind of learning curve?

[fowlerm]

Originally Posted by gobeavs

If I'm familiar with linux (gui and command line), is a gumstix easy to get running? Or is there some setup that needs to be done or any kind of learning curve?

You shouldn't have any problem. The Gumstix boards come preloaded with u-boot (the bootloader) and a 2.4.x kernel. I am not that familiar with the other Linux software that's included since I reflash them with a CE image as soon as I get them.

[fowlerm]

Originally Posted by Max2007

Would be could if someone could PM or post an idiot guide to how to do this and what stix they bought.

I don't have a setup guide for Windows CE on the Gumstix. I may write one in the future, but right now you can look at the documentation that others have contributed to the GotDotNet workspace for the Drumstix project.

See the above posts for hardware requirements.