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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?"
Most of the links on that page seem to be usb bluetooh or bare modules. If you're looking for turnkey RS-232 bluetooth units (as I was for a project at work), may I highly disrecommend Free2Move's serial port plug. I've been trying to get them to work for weeks and you'd think for nearly $400 for the pair they would at least answer ONE of my emails or pick up the phone for their "tech support" line. STAY AWAY!! I do know what you mean about these things being rare and rediculously expensive though. Maybe I'll try Brainboxes serial converter next.
- "Hear that?! The percolations are imminent! Cease your ingress!"
Or maybe it was just a reverse-psychology trick to get everyone to visit?
I think they can. In fact I hope that they kick ass and take names.
This is an academic contest. All of the teams are students and grad students, each sponsored by faculty members like them. There is a lot of work to do for this contest, but all previous work done by all previous teams is open to anyone who wants to join in.
My team gives away our design and code every year. Many others do as well. We do it to push ourselves. Every year, teams like this one come along with stuff that we haven't thought of yet, and advance the whole program. We learn stuff from every team that we play.
The fact that they have so many involved faculty speaks volumes about their interest in the program. Yes, students will do the work in the end, but it puts them in a much stronger position to have so many faculty to draw from.
-- Len
Many years ago that robocup project was actually pretty much what you are alluding to. A bunch of not very functional robots playing a game of: "shove the ball as close to the net as possible and maybe I will score"
It wasn't until 1999 that the actual system was now considered. This is what I believe made Cornell do so well. We focused on the system. How can an improvement in mechanical design change the way to play the game? How can electrical design help out mechanical layout? Its all connected and that's what was missing for a long time. This is where it can be a problem with 6 PhD's in the same field on such a multi disciplinary system.
Look at the system.. It really hurts when you have the best AI but cannot show it due to poor robots/electronics/vision
Ken
Cornell Robocup 2001-2003