We’ve now added android code for basic color

We’ve now added android code for basic color following, follow the Android Color Following link on the right to access the code and install instructions.

Advanced Arduino Code

Just added a page with more advanced Arduino code (see the link on the right).  This allows the same ‘spinal column’ to receive either simple or complex messages (e.g. just “go forward” or to set specific motors to specific speeds).  It can also be used to control a number of different body types: skidsteer with two DC motors, RC cars with steering and drive servos, and skidsteer controlled with two servo signals.

This code can be installed on the Arduinos on all of our robot bodies, regardless of the actual robot body (assuming it matches one of the three expected configurations).  And can work with either very simple “brains” (ones that just give forward, left, right type commands) or with complex “brains” that need to be able to specify specific speeds for each motor.

Semi-autonomous, tele-operation

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Thanks to Dallas’ hard work we can now have (small) armies of semi-autonomous, tele-operated bots.  The bots do color following and stream their video to a webpage.  The operator drives the bot at the front of the line via a virtual joystick (see image) and … Continue reading →

Video Page

We now have a video page (look under pages on the right) with a few sample videos showing cool demos with 1 or more COTSBots.  Look for more videos as the summer progresses.

Quick Build

Added some basic instructions for a quick robot build using the Rover 5 tank kit from DFRobot.

US Science and Engineering Festival

Just got back from the US Science and Engineering Festival (www.usasciencefestival.org) as part of the BEACON (www.beacon-center.org) contingent.  We were demonstrating evolution in action including evolutionary games and the COTSBots, which can evolve their own code on-line in real-time. For … Continue reading →

COTS Bots Project at the University of Idaho

We, students and faculty at the University of Idaho, are designing and building robots according to the COTS principle – e.g. using Commercial Off-The-Shelf products. Critical design requirements are that the robot be: Affordable (<$500) Easy and quick to assemble (e.g. … Continue reading →