Small Embedded Computer with 802.11 for RC Car?

Milo_Mindbender asks: "For some time now I've been wanting to build an RC car with an on-board computer and an 802.11 link back to the PC in my office for telepresence experiments (and just plain fun). As I'm planning on doing this on my own dime, the big problem has been finding a reasonablly cheap and low power embedded system board with 802.11 and the right 'ins' and 'outs' to handle controling the motors (a parallel port at minimum)." Many seriously cool devices could come from an embedded 802.11 system, and I'm sure computer controlled RC cars are just the beginning. Has the Embedded Computing camp hopped on the wireless networking bandwagon? If not, what's the delay?

"I'm interested in doing two versions of the gadget, one using a system with a less powerful CPU that could do simple preprogramed moves and a second one that would have a CPU with enough power to do low-res video and two-way audio. I figure it would be a riot to remote drive one of these things anyplace in the office complex that has 802.11, stick a high-gain antenna on it and you could probably send it down the elevators and out into the parking lot! Has anyone seen an embedded system with 802.11 of either power level that might fit the bill?"

Comments

Try This

[TheGonzoKid]

This product looks to be about what you want, http://www.linux-wlan.com/products/dk80211b.html I don't think it says anything about the price though.

Muffins

[Graymalkin]

A useful link would be here over at LinuxDevices.com. The board I might suggest to you in the Bitsy with its PCMCIA slot on board. With 16MB of RAm and 32MB of Flash ROM you'd have plenty of space to stick some software to run your car. Grab an off the shelf 802.11 PCMCIA card you can find drivers for and you've got it networked. The board also has USB which works for a camera and total of 21 digital IOs that you can use to control the components of the RC car. A bonus is the card also has audio in and out so you can turn your little car into a little talking robotic badass.