PC based Robosapien control | robocommunity.com http://www.robocommunity.com/forum/thread/17127/pc-based-robosapi...

Note: The RoboCommunity Webiste no longer accepts new users. Content is read only for historical

HOME FORUMS ARTICLES DOWNLOADS

Home » Forums » ROBO Communiity Forums » Robot Hacks and Mods » PC based Robosapien control

PC based Robosapien control

Log in to post comments Last post 15 posts / 0 new

Monday, 18 January 2010 #1

Meenzal PC based Robosapien control

In the Robosapien Companion the author made a reference to software to control RSV1.
I've seen links all over the web for the PC based Robosapien controller. Robots Dreams
has an article from the author that goes on and on about it, but I'll be darned if I can
find this software anywhere. Did this ever get built and released or was it just a good
idea that never got past talking?

Top Log in to post comments

Mon, 01/18/2010 - 19:40 #2

Sylux I think it is Robodance.

Top Log in to post comments

1 of 8 3/31/2018, 3:50 PM
PC based Robosapien control | robocommunity.com http://www.robocommunity.com/forum/thread/17127/pc-based-robosapi...

Tue, 01/19/2010 - 01:08 #3

Meenzal No, it in't robodance. I have that. This was like PC Commander or something like that.

Top Log in to post comments

Sat, 02/27/2010 - 20:52 #4

samredelf oooh! Do please let me know if you found anything. I would love that for sure.

Top Log in to post comments

Sun, 02/28/2010 - 01:14 #5

Meenzal HAH! I found it again. It was over on robots dreams.

http://www.robots-dreams.com/2005/03/developing_a_pc.html

After finding this, I went hunting again for info on availability but was again frustrated.
It looks pretty nifty, but it appears that so far, all the guy has is a pretty JPEG of what
he wants the interface to look like. Considering that even that is 5 years old, I don't
hold out a lot of hope.

Top Log in to post comments

Fri, 08/27/2010 - 22:03 #6

A_Geek Sapienx works from the command line if that helps any... I used it to interface my V1 to

2 of 8 3/31/2018, 3:50 PM
PC based Robosapien control | robocommunity.com http://www.robocommunity.com/forum/thread/17127/pc-based-robosapi...

my home automation PC. :)

http://www.robotika.sk/mains.php?page=/projects/robsapien/

Hope this is useful!

Top Log in to post comments

Mon, 09/20/2010 - 03:33 #7

coredump9 I created a Python program called RoboMoco (Robosapien Motion Compiler) that allows
you to control a Robosapien from your computer via serial port. You can send either the
raw bytecodes or macros to make your bot perform complex action sequences.

In my setup, I use an Arduino as a "middleman" between the computer and the

Robosapien. But you may be able to use the program with minor changes to make it
work with an Lego IR-Tower so any hardware that behaves like a serial device.

RoboMoco: http://borglabs.com/projects/robosapien-v2/using_robomoco
My Project: http://borglabs.com/projects/robosapien-v2/arduino_serial_interface

Top Log in to post comments

Mon, 09/20/2010 - 10:51 #8

FreddyA Hello coredump9, welcome to the forum. RoboMoco sounds very cool. I am excited to
read about the info on the hardware hook up. Keep us up to date.

Freddy

Top Log in to post comments

Mon, 09/20/2010 - 11:26 #9

Meenzal Hey, has there been anymore info on Robodance 5? Last I heard it was due in summer
but got pushed to September. I'm on the notification list, but no words since the last

3 of 8 3/31/2018, 3:50 PM
PC based Robosapien control | robocommunity.com http://www.robocommunity.com/forum/thread/17127/pc-based-robosapi...

postponement.

I'm glad to see that people are still out there developing robotic control methods for
PCs. Good job, coredump9!!

The Arduino is for controlling non-IR based bots like Wowwee I assume?

Top Log in to post comments

Mon, 09/20/2010 - 14:59 #10

coredump9 Hi Freddy and Meenza,

thanks for the warm welcome and kind words.

The Arduino basically allows you to control the robot either by computer (commands are
sent via a serial port) or by the IR remote controller that comes with the Wowwee
robots. I cut off the wire inside my Robosapien V2 that receives the commands from the
IR remote and sends the pulses to the robot's motor board. Then I put the Arduino in
between the two ends of the cut wire, so that the Arduino intercepts the IR commands
and relays it to the motor board. I will try to post info on the hardware setup in the
next couple of days to make this more clear.

Ben

Top Log in to post comments

Thu, 09/23/2010 - 04:28 #11

coredump9 Hi all,

here's the info on the Arduino board hookup to the Robosapien V2.

http://borglabs.com/projects/robosapien-v2/connecting_the_arduino

enjoy,
Ben

Top Log in to post comments

Thu, 09/23/2010 - 11:47 #12

Meenzal Ah, I did the same thing with a V1 and posted the process and photos here. I got the

4 of 8 3/31/2018, 3:50 PM
PC based Robosapien control | robocommunity.com http://www.robocommunity.com/forum/thread/17127/pc-based-robosapi...

idea from a user here that had done it earlier. But you're the first to do it with a V2.

In mine, the Arduino also uses an IR range finder in his belly that allows me to use
typical Arduino autonomy avoidance routines. I used an Ardunio Pro Mini so I could fit
the whole thing inside the Robosapien so it didn't need a backpack as the original poster
did. It looks stock.

It is still the white wire in the V2 the IR wire or did they change color? The V1 wire is
white.

Still think it's way cool what you're doing. A few of us here are very much tinkerers like
you! :-)

Top Log in to post comments

Thu, 07/24/2014 - 16:11 #13

iamiane hey coredump9, I had a robosapien v2 stashed in a cupboard and decided to give your
project a go but the sit is down is there any chance you could send me the info?

Top Log in to post comments

Fri, 07/03/2015 - 08:44 #14

jpdenoyer Hello I'm a newbee to hacking robosapians. I do know alot about software and a little bit
about hardware in general.I recently purchased both an original robosapian and a V2. I
would like to add a board (either a raspberry pi or an arduino) with a microphone so as
to make them voice controlled. My first though was to attach an infrared dongle to the
raspberry pi and use robodance software. No one responded to a previous post
requesting information about  recomended brands for infrared dongles and/or
microphones. Also my previous post asked about tutorials on kylix.I see a couple posters
on this thread used an arduino and connected it directly to the brain thus bypassing the
need for an IR dongle. Can I get any technical details and/or sample code. The supplied
links are dead.Any other ideas on how to proceed?

Top Log in to post comments

Tue, 10/27/2015 - 22:33 #15

ColinDavy I am working on a program that allows you to control a Robosapien from your computer
via serial port. You can send either the raw bytecodes or macros to makeyour bot

5 of 8 3/31/2018, 3:50 PM
PC based Robosapien control | robocommunity.com http://www.robocommunity.com/forum/thread/17127/pc-based-robosapi...

perform complex action sequences.In my setup, I use an Arduino as a "middleman"

between the computer and the Robosapien. But you may be able to use the program
with minor changes to make it work with an Lego IR-Tower so any hardware that
behaves like a serial device.

Top Log in to post comments

S e a r ch

G re a t D e a ls !

EHome Design

6 of 8 3/31/2018, 3:50 PM
PC based Robosapien control | robocommunity.com http://www.robocommunity.com/forum/thread/17127/pc-based-robosapi...

7 of 8 3/31/2018, 3:50 PM
PC based Robosapien control | robocommunity.com http://www.robocommunity.com/forum/thread/17127/pc-based-robosapi...

OUR NETWORK: Home Technology Network TechLore Explore3DTV Robo Community MyOpenRouter
Home Technology Network See all...

8 of 8 3/31/2018, 3:50 PM