新车间 [XinCheJian]

Me: …since we don’t have many working sensors, I’m waiting for the ultrasonic sensors we ordered… BTW, Xu, any news about them? Xu: Oh, they’re at my desk! Me: screams like a little girl Xu: … ok, I’ll go get them now… So yeah, I finally got my 10 (!) ultrasonic sensors (HC-SR04) this evening, just in time as I had worked out how to control the servo to do sensor sweeps (left and right on 180 degrees).  BTW, if you’re a Xinchejian member, please feel free to borrow one or two to try them out. They’re affordable (37RMB on Taobao or 5.60$USD), ridiculously easy to install and seem to work as advertised, although I haven’t benchmarked much. I’ve also spent quite a bit of time this evening on a reasonably workable controller with a state machine but only had time to test it once before I had to call it a day. I can probably use more sensors (on the sweeper, sideways, looking backward), but I’m thinking that I really need to combine them with infrared sensors as there’s a longer delay than infrared in detecting obstacles and they can work at angles simultaneously. Anyway, more testing and experiments are in order. [gallery]]]>

Photos from the new robot contest for kids in Shanghai called RoboMaster. Looks a lot of fun! ]]>

其实这个电路十分简单，就是两个按钮接入Arduino，然后Arduino输出PWM信号到电调，电调再输出电流到电机，从而就行成了按钮控制电机的一个装置。 不过，在完成这样一个小小的系统也经历了很多挫折。 首先，舵机还是电调都是通过PWM波进行控制的，比如下面这张图当中 这个就是一般航模用的遥控器，接收机接收到射频信号后，将信号解调成PWM输出到舵机或者是电调中。所以电调和舵机都能够接收PWM信号，且信号格式是统一的。 但是，PWM信号到底是什么格式，频率多少，占空比多少，在网上查了查，却没有一个确切的数据。有个数据比就是futata的标准，pwm频率是50Hz, 脉冲宽度为920usec到2120usec，这样对应了舵机的0度到180度。 对于这个数值，我用51做了一个PWM的发生器，通过在电脑上输入角度（0到180度），然后产生一个特定的PWM波输出到舵机，就是下面这张图中的。 可是结果发现，舵机行程明显不足180度，只能勉强算是90左右，看来920usec-2120usec并不是对于舵机确切的控制数据，或者说对于除futaba以外的舵机的控制格式。 经过调试，发现要使舵机达到0度到180度的行程，PWM波的脉冲宽度要在800usec到2800usec之间。同时也有个有趣的现象。如果给舵机的信号线一个脉冲信号，宽度在800usec到2800usec之间，然后持续低电位，舵机会保持在该脉冲所对应角度不变，也就是说，PWM的频率是可以低于50Hz的。 回到Arduino上，Arduino自带Servo的库，可以编程实现从特定的角度输出特定的PWM波。就可以是用这样的PWM信号来控制电调，从而控制电机。这里有必须介绍一下电调的特点。我们是用的电调是比较廉价的新西达电调，但是它也带模式设定的功能，可以根据不同的场合来设定电调的工作模式。设定的过程就是，PWM信号为最高时，给电调上电。具体的设定过程可以在网上查到。经过实验发现Arduino输出角度为0的PWM信号根本不会对电调有任何影响，电调完全无视这个信号的存在-_-b。经过仔细思考后发现，会不会是因为电调是用的是futaba的PWM格式，而800usec或者Arduino最低的pwm信号对于电调来说过低，导致电调不能够辨认。 以下就是能够控制电机速度的程序代码

#include <Servo.h>
Servo myservo;
int pos = 0;
int buttonState = 0;
int lastButtonState = 0;
int currentAngle;
int MAX_ANGLE = 140;
int MIN_ANGLE = 100;
void setup()
{
 myservo.attach(9);
 pinMode(13, OUTPUT);
 pinMode(2, INPUT);
 pinMode(3, INPUT);
 currentAngle = 100;
}
void loop()
{
 buttonState = digitalRead(2);
 if (buttonState == HIGH)
 {
 digitalWrite(13, HIGH);
 if (currentAngle < MAX_ANGLE)
 {
 currentAngle = currentAngle + 1;
 }
 }
 else
 {
 buttonState = digitalRead(3);
 if (buttonState == HIGH)
 {
 digitalWrite(13, HIGH);
 if (currentAngle > MIN_ANGLE)
 {
 currentAngle = currentAngle - 1;
 }
 }
 }
 if (buttonState == LOW)
 {
 digitalWrite(13, LOW);
 }
 myservo.write(currentAngle);
 delay(30);
}

]]>

Today I built a second new A.R.T. to test new configurations.

It’s also because it is a bit frustrating not to have a working version at all times for demos while I’m trying out new mechanical layouts… I took the opportunity to write down a detailed list of parts, tools and steps that I’ve checked in to github (note that I have not finished as I still have to solve the ranging sensor and write a new program):

https://github.com/rngadam/ART/blob/master/ART_Control3/BUILD.txt

See gallery for pictures…

[gallery link="file"] ]]>

First time I made holes in a piece of wood with a Dremel

First time I bought tie-wraps in China

First time I blew up the fuse for Xindanwei putting everyone in the dark when I tried to solder

First time I’ve connected the Vin for an Arduino Dueminalove (instead of the external power header or USB)

First time I’ve read values from an infrared sensor (E18-D80NK with a Chinese only datasheet)

First time I got an autonomous robot to be, well, autonomous – by myself! (video)

[gallery link="file"] It’s neither very nice looking or very impressive when it runs, but I’m still very happy with the results.  I planned something electro-mechanical with a tiny bit of embedded software all by myself (with some help from Niko with the Dremel and Héqíchén / 何琪辰 to buy the tie-wraps!). I planned, executed and… got the results I wanted! The simplistic code that I used:

const int FORWARD =  2;
const int REVERSE =  3;
const int LEFT = 4;
const int RIGHT =  5;
const int INFRARED_FORWARD = A0;
const int INFRARED_REVERSE = A1;
const int MINIMUM_INFRARED_READING = 500;
int current_reverse = LEFT;
int alt_forward = RIGHT;
char current_state;
void setup() {
  pinMode(FORWARD, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(REVERSE, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(LEFT, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(RIGHT, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(INFRARED_FORWARD, INPUT);
  pinMode(INFRARED_REVERSE, INPUT);
  Serial.begin(9600);
}
char update_state(char state, int reason) {
  char previous_state = current_state;
  if(state != current_state) {
    current_state = state;
    Serial.print(current_state);
    Serial.println(reason);
  }
  return previous_state;
}
void loop(){
    // always check if we can go forward
    int value = analogRead(INFRARED_FORWARD);
    if(value >= MINIMUM_INFRARED_READING) {
        // maybe we were correcting, so check that
        char last_state = update_state('F', value);
        digitalWrite(current_reverse, LOW);
        digitalWrite(REVERSE, LOW);
        if(last_state == 'R') {
          // we just successfully exited a bad loop, turn for a bit for half a second
          digitalWrite(alt_forward, HIGH);
          digitalWrite(FORWARD, HIGH);
          delay(1000);
          digitalWrite(alt_forward, LOW);
        }
        digitalWrite(FORWARD, HIGH);
    } else {
      // otherwise, still correcting, keep off
      digitalWrite(FORWARD, LOW);
      // we want to try to find an alt path
      int value = analogRead(INFRARED_REVERSE);
      if(value >= MINIMUM_INFRARED_READING) {
        //still have some ability to go backward
        update_state('R', value);
        digitalWrite(current_reverse, HIGH);
        digitalWrite(REVERSE, HIGH);
      } else {
        // whooaah, even backward is not possible, we're stuck
        digitalWrite(current_reverse, LOW);
        digitalWrite(REVERSE, LOW);
        update_state('S', value);
      }
    }
}

Wins:

• Wooden board and tie-wraps work exceptionally well to prototype the physical arrangement
• Using the breadboard to prototype the electronics also works well
• The Arduino “Vin” to provide current in the board header works very well (and can seamlessy switch between USB and that without resetting!)
• Sticking the RF transmitter board directly on the robot and controlling the motors with that from the Arduino works well
• The LED that comes on when an obstacle is detected by the infrared sensors is very useful for debugging (need to keep that in mind when using other  sensors)
• It works!

Losses:

• Uses Alkaline AA batteries (I want to switch to the exact same Rechargeable NiCad as the car uses)
• I spent too much time working with Sketchup instead of manually testing the mechanical design first (and then Sketchup)
• There’s not much around Xindanwei in terms of computer, electronic or small mechanical stores, so I should plan ahead to shop on Beijing road
• The infrared sensors that I found in the pile of stuff in Xinchejian work, but more like “on/off” sensors (don’t seem to have any linearity in the distance)
• No bumper (the infrared sensor was crashing into the walls…)
• Making an obstacle course big enough is annoying
• I had forgotten to make the holes to attach the sensors (more holes == better)
• No on/off switch so have to manually remove the connections to turn off power
• You can never have enough tie-wraps… We only had four at Xinchejian before I bought a pack of 500 for 15RMB (but really, worth about 5RMB)
• I need to learn how to solder… without blowing fuses…

]]>

Xinchejian kicked off the first of the “Xinshanzhai” series of talks and discussion on how “Shanzhai” micro manufacture efficiency combined with open innovation process and open source hardware will change how China innovate. We had the honor to have Eric Pan, CEO and Founder of Seeed Studio to give the talk “Facilitate Open Innovation – The Seeed Studio Approach” [Speech Slides]. Seeed Studio was founded 3 years ago in Shenzhen to explore combining open source hardware and the electronics supply chain in Shenzhen. Today, Seeed Studio employes over 30 engineers and support staffs with over USD$1 million in annual revenue mainly from US, Europe and Japanese customers which are 98% of its business. Seeed does not yet focus on Chinese market as Eric points out that the tinkers/makers community in China has not yet matured enough for Seeed and there is not enough community. Seeed Studio has so far depends on words of mouth of open hardware community for its marketing and will launch its first marketing campaign in 2011. The following is one of the first ads to be run in Make Magazine. Seeed’s current focus is to grow its WISH platform described by Eric as a ecosystem to support open source hardware designers to better manage the product life cycle. WISH platform let designers and users propose requests and new design and through the community voting and pre-ordering process to help to bring products to the market. The process is best illustrated by this slide from the speech. Seeed also works with partners sites such as Dangerous Prototypes to promote the platform. Eric’s 30 minutes talk was followed by over 2 hours of heated discussion on the topics of open source hardware, innovation and manufacture. The talk and discussions were livecast on Sina Weibo by Steven Cheng under #新山寨#. ]]>

TX2C ATS302T which is available on Taobao) , so I thought I would try to figure out the circuit by looking at it.  Kind of inconvenient because the components are on one side while the circuit trace is in the other. Flipping over the board constantly is annoying and it’s rather hard to follow.  Best would be to see both sides at the same time, no? So this is what I did:

1. took a picture of both sides in macro mode
2. cropped both pictures
3. created layers using GIMP (a cross-platform OpenSource software similar to Photoshop)
4. Put each image on their layers
5. Change opacity of top layer
6. “Image > Transform > Flip Horizontally” one of the image
7. Move one of the image until screw holes on both align

[gallery link="file"] Much easier then to figure out what is connected to what, but still difficult… Anyway, I decided to try instead to buy a TX2C and follow its datasheet to re-create the circuit.  In the meantime, I’ve removed the board entirely from the remote control body and I’ll connect to that directly with the Arduino.]]>

Google Sketchup (now at version 8 ) is free and, as far as 3D software go, very easy-to-use with many features permitting coming up with useful plans for your next robot.  Most useful for the 3D-challenged however is the 3D Warehouse with user-contributed models. You can, for example, find a model of the Arduino Dueminalove and a range of sensors (such as the Parallax Ping or the Sharp IR sensor) in addition to parts such as servomotor and RC chassis.  These can be directly inserted into your design by simply going to File > 3D Warehouse > Get Models. The downside is that you’ll need to buy the pricey pro version (500$USD) to get the export features – which will be handy when you when to get your mechanical parts produced. But if you’re a Xinchejian member and working on a fun project, feel free to ask me to export your model to one of the many formats available. (Disclosure: I work for the company that makes Sketchup, however I don’t currently have any relationship with the team.)]]>

http://hackerspaces.org/wiki/Xinchejian]]>

Time: 3pm Dec 26, 2010 Location: Xin Che Jian, 2nd floor, Yongjia Rd 50 (close to Shaanxi Road South) Cost: 30RMB for non-Xinchejian members, free of charge for Xinchejian members. Seeed Studio is an open hardware facilitation company based in Shenzhen, China. Benefiting from local manufacture power and convenient global logistic system, we integrate resources to serve new era of innovation. Seeed also works with global distributors and partners to push open hardware movement. We design modular electronics for quick prototyping and small scale projects, which could be found at Bazaar. It also carries inventories from community innovators, we help people make, distribute their designs and collect the revenue. It’s a win-win situation and taking a shape towards an ecosystem. By working with us, innovators could focus on the designs, provide better support to the user and promote the product. Seeed Studio or similar service provider could get more traffic and bring up other product sales. The manufacture part of hardware involves a lot details. We provide Propagate service to facilitate the process. Innovator send finished prototype with manufacturing files including Gerber file, BOM, test plan and other requirements. Our engineering team will validate and integrate the design into small batch production line. All products will be tested and packed under instruction. Innovators could also view current manufacture and distribution status from propagate. After deducting the manufacture costs, profit will be returned to innovators when inventory sold out. To estimate the popularity before investing manufacture, innovators could post the idea or prototype to Wish. The community would vote, comment and collaborate on projects. You could also join interested groups to see what’s hot being worked on. By participating Wish, ideas with many votes could convert the popularity into coupons to purchase product or service. The idea poster could also share some coupon to the valuable commenter as appreciation. Products and service info are hosted at a wiki called Garden. Feel free to add your guide, project or yourself as a freelancer. About the speaker Eric Pan, founder and director of Seeed Studio, grew up with DIY culture in China. He graduated as an EE bachelor from Chongqing University, with experiences and prizes from national wide contests of MCU, Embe dded Design, Robotics, and English skills. He first joined Intel in Chengdu as a FCBGA product Engineer whose main job includes quality control and new product integration. Then he worked at Beamstream LLC as international sourcing manager on system solutions. He established Seeed Studio since 2008 from bare ground and now turning it into an open source hardware facilitator with 30+ employee. 新山寨第一期: 开源硬件与开放式创新 时间:2010年12月26日下午3点 地点:徐汇区永嘉路50号2楼新车间 (靠近陕西南路) 费用:新车间会员免费, 非新车间会员每人30元 Seeed Studio 是一个位于深圳的开源硬件生产公司. 得益于本土制造业的巨大力量以及便利的全球物流系统. 我们整合不同资源从而服务于新纪元创新时代. Seeed也与全球分销商和合作伙伴合作共同推动开源硬件的前进. Eric Pan 是Seeed studio 的创始人, 他从小受DIY文化影响. 他毕业于重庆大学,获得了电子工程学士学位. 他在微型计算机, 嵌入式设计, 机器人, 英文技能领域都有丰富经验集获奖. 他的第一份工作是在成都intel 担当FCBGA 产品工程师. 其主要工作是腹侧质量控制和新产品整合开发. 随后他在Beamstream LLC 工作担任国际采购经理. 在2008年他创立了Seeed studio —从零起点开始到现在拥有30名员工的开源硬件生产中心. 更多信息可以参考 http://seeedstudio.com/]]>