Android Arduino Hardware
Here is a quick parts list of the cheapest items we could find that are similar to what we used. The choices and flexibility you have with this are vast. Any robot that takes incoming serial commands could be controlled by this project, or you could hack it to work over BlueTooth too.
- $16 Bare bones Ardunio (or a $25 fully assembled one to save you time)
- $3 Micro servo (the Truckbot holes fit the micro servos but you might also try Parallax continuous rotation servos to save time from modifying these)
- $0.25 Hex inverter (handles 3.3v to 5v conversion if you aren’t using a 3.3v Arduino – a $2 Sparkfun logic level converter is also an option)
- $4 HTC USB connector ($11 for full breakout board)
- $3 Mini breadboard
- $1 rear caster
- $4 misc. cardboard, strap ties, wires
That’s a total of just $30 for a remote controlled, GPS having, text-to-speech talking, roaming robot! the shipping costs could eat up your budget so buying local helps, or you might want to pay slightly more for parts to get them all from the same supplier where possible. You can save time by buying fancier parts but you should still be under $50 before shipping.
A quick 5-step guide to putting together the truckbot is:
- Laser cut pieces in cardboard or acrylic using the PDF file from the source code
- Attach breadboard, rear caster, 9V battery, servos, and Ardunio using strap ties and glue
- Glue servo arms to wheels and attach with the small servo screw
- Connect wiring for servos, Arduino, breadboard, HTC USB board, and battery
- Mount phone with large strap tie and insert USB plug to bottom
You can find more details in our picture galleries or this slideshow of a full kit.
The micro servo looks like a standard servo. It would have to be modified for continuous rotation, how does that work?
I am working on an article about modifying the servos. For now you can check out our image gallery of the process and also look for other websites that have explained it in more detail:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Cellbots/ContinuousRotationServos#
The short answer is that you have to snip off some plastic and then replace a potentiometer with two resistors.
[...] out the image gallery below and we hope you make you check out the parts list and customize your own design. Hopefully you have a hackerspace nearby where you can borrow a laser [...]
Can we have an update with the new components ?
Hello,
My name is Lucas and i’m a graduate student at the Interactive Telecommunications Programe at NYU. I’m building one of these for my final projects and hope to tinker it once its done. The hex full breakout board is sold out everywhere and i do not understand why i need the htc usb connector. Wouldn’t i be able to cut a mini usb wire, which wold be hooked up to my G1, and connect the wires to the breadboard?
thank you
You should be able to use this HTC USB connector just fine:
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=9078
It is much harder to solder to but is cheaper and will do the job. You can also try using the HTC headphones that came with the G1. It is the audio lines that are being used for the serial transmission so you need those extra pins that you won’t find in a mini USB cable.
if you are going to use third party USB cables, makes sure that they have the RU or UL mark for best performance.-’,
[...] hope to see more kids making Cellbots this summer. Our parts lists for the Android robots and the source code project site to get you started. Those short on time can also check out our [...]
I’m trying to test the apk which is came from
http://code.google.com/p/android-serialport-api/
with HTC earphones & G1.
I run the loopback function, but I cannot measure any signals from any of the 4 lines.
Can anybody help?