Bluetooth for Homebrew Robots?

MacGod asks: "As an extra-curricular for my university, I am working some other engineers to try and design a RoboSoccer Project (please don't wipe out our server if possible), with the hopes of entering the RoboCup tournament in the near future. We are currently using some low-frequency Abacom RF communication modules, but would like to able to go to BlueTooth if possible. However, I have found it nearly impossible to locate any suitable BlueTooth modules. We'd really like something that could be put onto a breadboard, and that would come with sufficiently detailed instructions that we'd be able to implement it without being BlueTooth experts. Any suggestion on homebrew BlueTooth solutions, Slashdot?"

Comments

Bluetooth?

[Anonymous Coward]

We are currently using some low-frequency Abacom RF communication modules, but would like to able to go to BlueTooth if possible.

Why Bluetooth? A better question would have been, "We are currently using some low-frequency Abacom RF communication modules, but would like increased range, bandwidth, and fidelity. Does anyone have any recommendations for a wireless technology which will meet these needs?"

Let the problem dictate the solution. It sounds like you're just itching to make use of Bluetooth because it's buzz-compliant.

Re:Bluetooth?

[node 3]

Maybe the poster, MacGod, has a Bluetooth enabled computer, and wants to simplify the robot? Bluetooth works, and is has good general support.

Mac users tend to realize it's what your computer can do that's important, not what you can tinker with on the computer. Had he asked the question you posed, the simple, cheap and common Bluetooth protocol might have gotten far less mention than some protocol X which has a range of 1km, supports 64k simultaneous connections, costs $500/unit, and will require the student to spend more time debugging the wireless hardware than actually designing/building/improving the robot.

It's much more logical to notice that Bluetooth is built-in to one's computer, and decide to go with that, if it meets one's needs.

bluetooth distance

[ryanw]

Well, i have a few bluetooth devices. As far as I know bluetooth's range is about 15 feet from your device. Now I'm sure you could boost it's range with antanas and such, but if you want something easy without needing to tweek, you might be looking in the wrong area. I'd go with just a regular wi-fi for robotics.

Re:Those who can...

[Anonymous Coward]

If you think PhD's don't do anything but teach you are fooling yourself. Teaching undergrads is a small part of what professors do, especially in engineering. Usually professors have several research projects going on and frankly have more interesting things to do than connect a bluetooth radio tranmitter to a microcontroller (or make a widley accessible web page).
They have the much harder job of doing the math and science needed to design and make all the little plug an play devices that people can use easily without having to know any of the details that govern the real world.
The reason you probably think that you can while those who teach, can't, is probably because those who teach have much harder problems to solve than you.

Re:don't hit too hard

[yerricde]

if you don't want your server being hit, don't put a link to it on /. front page !

Better yet, if your page doesn't have a lot of large images, link to a Google cached page instead.