Drive r/c car from PC

[RoboHack]

Hey,

Check this out: www.endurance-rc.com/pctx.html

Combine this with a wireless camera and you can drive your r/c car from the driver’s seat. Web interface software will be available soon.

 

[WoodiE]

What's the purpose and advantages of such device ?




-Michael

 

[RoboHack]

A normal transmitter must be manipulated by manually moving the sticks. The PCTx allows the computer to take control of the transmitter.

With the computer controlling the vehicle you can begin to do some interesting things. As an example, you could create a line following robot. The computer processes an image sent back from a wireless camera, processes it, and then controls the car based on this image. You could also connect this to a servo based robo-one robot and control the complex walking movements via the computer, i.e.: press a button to go forward and the computer handles all the movements required to make the robot walk forward.

A web interface could be created which allows you to drive your r/c car from the web....Inspect your home when you are away.

A project that I just recently completed allows me to control and r/c car by using the arrow keys on my keyboard. If I wanted to take this even further I could hook up a computer steering wheel or pedal system and drive it this way. This system could open up a whole new form of r/c driving. Imagine driving your r/c car with a view from the drivers seat while racing around an r/c car track instead of the drivers stand view. It might no be for everyone but some may enjoy driving this way. One customer for example was interested in flying an r/c helicopter with a wireless camera and a set of stereo goggles that have a motion sensor built in. With the PCTx added to his system he now has the ability to pan/tilt the camera just by moving his head to make flying via the goggles easier.

Don't like the feel of a transmitter? Use any game controller or joystick to control your r/c vehicle...An Xbox controller would be an ideal candidate for such a project.

The PCTx was designed with flexibility in mind. I have created some example software but anyone could design anything around it. I can go one forever thinking up uses for this but Id really like to see what other ideas you guys can come up with.

 

[WoodiE]

Interesting concept, though I'm not sure of any kind of practical usage for R/B bashing or racing. The helicopter idea sounds pretty cool.




-Michael

 

[RoboHack]

Imagine driving your r/c car with a view from the drivers seat while racing around an r/c car track instead of the drivers stand view.

I tested this with my girlfriend. She does not have an interest in r/c cars what so ever. It was not in a track but rather my garage but it kept her interested. I know most hardcore racers will shun this but what else is new?

Who knows, a track owner could even set up a race this way without actually having any racers there! Log in and race from the web....

This device is probalby more suited to robotics projects but I just thought some r/c racers would be interested.

 

[beason]

I'm thinking swat style recon e-maxx.... couple of those uv led spots and a wireless cam mounted on a turrent controled by the third channel...

just emagine the trouble you could get into with that!!

what kida range we looking at with this system, as opposed to just putting a cam on the rig and using the regular radio system...

 

[RoboHack]

beason,

I was thinking of something very similar. I imagined an r/c tank that fired paintballs. You could mount a camera on the turret and have pan/tilt control of the whole thing. Control scheme would be the same as a first person shooter video game (pan/tilt with the mouse).....trouble indeed!

Range would be the same since it uses your existing radio system.

If you are just looking to have a camera on your r/c you wouldn't need the PCTx. However if you want to add some automation or different control systems then you would want the PCTx.

 

[4u2nv]

so now a person doesn't even have to leave the computer chair?? And we wonder why we're one of the fattest countries.

 

[Monkey Wrench]

:spam Just my opinion.

 

[1500valk]

Well, I have tried this with a wireless camera on one of my cars. Nearly impossible to drive it. You have no depth perception since it's in 2d (I know, I know, a 3d kit is in the works, right?). You also have no "feel" for how the car is acting. Try drifting around a curve? or getting a feel for the car's attitude when jumping. It has no practical use for racing or any other part that makes r/c so much fun. However, a camera on an r/c vehicle has a ton of practical applications, checking sewer lines from the inside, checking ventalation shafts, SWAT types of applications, etc. Just not for a replacement of actually seeing what your car is doing as you race.

 

[Monkey Wrench]

However, a camera on an r/c vehicle has a ton of practical applications, checking sewer lines from the inside, checking ventalation shafts, SWAT types of applications, etc. Just not for a replacement of actually seeing what your car is doing as you race.

Don't forget, putting it on an electric helicopter and eyeballing the hotty next door taking a shower as well!

 

[RatzoRC]

:spam Just my opinion.

:stupid:

I have to agree with you Monkey.

 

[4u2nv]

Ick who would want to drive there R/c down a swere line?? Sick. I think Id rather pay a dude than to have my R/c whipping doughnuts in my crap. I'm sorry but this sounds like a really retarded idea. For me, driving my r/c is a good way to get a lil excersize, and some fresh air. If I wanted to spend more time on the comp driving Rc's, Id get a simulator.

 

[Lessen]

It's already been done anyway. There's a place out in Arizona where you can race a large scale r/c car with a group of people from inside while sitting in front of a moniter with a steering wheel and pedals. I'll see if I can find the place but I think Rusty Wallace either owns it or is affiliated with it somehow.

 

[1500valk]

Ick who would want to drive there R/c down a swere line?? Sick. I think Id rather pay a dude than to have my R/c whipping doughnuts in my crap. I'm sorry but this sounds like a really retarded idea. For me, driving my r/c is a good way to get a lil excersize, and some fresh air. If I wanted to spend more time on the comp driving Rc's, Id get a simulator.

I don't mean your r/c car in the sewer, but a sewer maint/inspection thingy. It's been done. Maybe just for storm drains, you know, clean water.

Don't forget, putting it on an electric helicopter and eyeballing the hotty next door taking a shower as well!

We put one of my wireless cameras on my brothers 7 foot wingspan gasser plane. It was very cool seeing him do manuevers and such while watching it on a tv screen in the car. But fly a plane like this? No way. Yup I agree, spam.
But if someone wants a video camera to make vids of their car's view, ebay is full of cheap camera and receiver sets.

 

[Lessen]

http://www.minifastcar.com/templates/index.php

 

[RoboHack]

Spam...yeah, but I did get you talking about it didnt I?

Well, I have tried this with a wireless camera on one of my cars. Nearly impossible to drive it. You have no depth perception since it's in 2d

Have you ever played a racing video game? Same concept. I have no problem driving around my home or outside. You have to take into account scale speed with a system such as this. You can't expect to go 45mph while having a view from inside the car.

I know, I know, a 3d kit is in the works, right?

No but a pan/tilt system is in the works as a demo.

You also have no "feel" for how the car is acting. Try drifting around a curve? or getting a feel for the car's attitude when jumping.

How do you get a "feel" from an r/c car when you drive it normally? You see it do one thing and you react (from the drivers stand). No feel is involved unless you are actually sitting in the car.

It has no practical use for racing or any other part that makes r/c so much fun.

I think you guys missed the point. This is just a tool to help you create whatever you want. You have to use your brains....

 

[Monkey Wrench]

More :spam

 

[Nitro_Freak]

cmon guys, lay off.. personally I think this is a really cool idea with some really cool implications. it may not be the most practical thing in the world to drive your car in first-person like that, but it sure would be cool (at least I think so). same thing goes for helicopters and planes.

 

[4u2nv]

again, just the world getting lazier.. Screw Fresh air, who needs it. Esp when you dont even have to bother to stand up while driving r/c's..


One serious question though.. So what do you do when you flip it? Also what is YOUR point of this? Like what made you think of something like this?