Finding the right computer/microcontroller for the job
So I've been slowly working on a quad based around an arduino (yeah, I know, who isnt?). But I've recently been reconsidering whether a more advanced processor might actually save me time and money as my project grows.
A processor that could handle a camera, and wifi could save me from having both xbee and an analog video transmitter on board (and receivers for both). If it also had the ability to talk to servos/ESCs and sensors I'd perhaps even be able to drop the arduino entirely and just have a single board that handles everything.
So I started poking around. Gumstix can get me part of the way there, as could a beagleboard. Though I believe both would still require a microcontroller for the sensors and escs. Another option could be a hacked router with an ethernet cam... might have weight issues there. The SRV-1 + wifi kit (http://surveyor-corporation.stores.yahoo.net/srblcawi.html) might just be able to do it all. More expensive then I would like, but I might be able to justify it if it means I need nothing else on the electronics end save sensors. But it's certainly a big jump in price from my current $50 seeeduino mega.
Arduino ($50) +2xXbee ($80) + Wireless Video and Cam ($130ish?)= $260
SRV-1 w/ wifi =$350
Any thoughts? Have I missed any low cost boards that are geared towards robotics and might do the job?
A processor that could handle a camera, and wifi could save me from having both xbee and an analog video transmitter on board (and receivers for both). If it also had the ability to talk to servos/ESCs and sensors I'd perhaps even be able to drop the arduino entirely and just have a single board that handles everything.
So I started poking around. Gumstix can get me part of the way there, as could a beagleboard. Though I believe both would still require a microcontroller for the sensors and escs. Another option could be a hacked router with an ethernet cam... might have weight issues there. The SRV-1 + wifi kit (http://surveyor-corporation.stores.yahoo.net/srblcawi.html) might just be able to do it all. More expensive then I would like, but I might be able to justify it if it means I need nothing else on the electronics end save sensors. But it's certainly a big jump in price from my current $50 seeeduino mega.
Arduino ($50) +2xXbee ($80) + Wireless Video and Cam ($130ish?)= $260
SRV-1 w/ wifi =$350
Any thoughts? Have I missed any low cost boards that are geared towards robotics and might do the job?
Replies to This Discussion
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ModeratorPermalink Reply by Chris Anderson on -
Of those two, I'd pick SRV. Howard Gordon has done great work with that board and it's optimized for image processing.
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Permalink Reply by Xander on -
Thanks, not ruling out the other options just yet but by the time I've added a wifi module and a camera to them I'm not sure they really come out any cheaper, and certainly would take more configuring.
Feels kinda like cheating to jump to something as nicely packaged as the SRV after so much time trying to figure out how to do everything with an 8-bit uC...
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ModeratorPermalink Reply by Chris Anderson on -
Trust me, you won't be short of challenges, even with SRV. Quads are hard.
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Permalink Reply by David Gitz on -
If you can find something that can handle your wireless control and video transmission over a decent range that would be neat. I would not use a hacked wifi router.
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