Make a Web Connected Robot (for about $500) (using an Arduino and Netbook)

This Instructable will show you how to build your own Web Connected Robot (using an Arduino micro-controller and Asus eee pc).

Why would you want a Web Connected Robot? To play with of course. Drive your robot from across the room or across the country, using nothing more than Skype and a web browser (nothing to install on the controlling computer). After that? Dig into the software & adapt it however you like, add a GPS so you can watch where you're driving on a map, add temperature sensors to map temperature gradients in your house, or sonar sensors to add controls on what you're web drivers can and cannot run into.

Features:

• Inexpensive - (~$500 if you purchase all parts new and considerably cheaper if you dig around in your parts bin)
• Once up and running controlling the robot requires only a web browser - (and Skype if you want to see where you're driving)
• Open Source and Easily Adaptable - (uses an Arduino micro-controller, Processing for the web server & all software can be run on Linux (all the code is also heavily commented to make jumping in and changing things easy))
• Modular Design (not a completely integrated system, if you want to use a different video conferencing service no worries, or if you have a Basic stamp rather than an Arduino just right a small piece of code and slot it in)

Here's a quick video of my Web Connected Robot being driven out of the kitchen.

Step 1 Parts & Tools

Only a few parts are required:

Robot: Arduino Controlled Servo Robot - (SERB)
($175 @ oomlout.com ) or (make your own)

• An open source robot which uses an Arduino micro-controller as it's brain.

(any dual servo robot platform with an arduino can be used (option 1) (please message me if you discover any other options)

Computer: Asus eee PC 4G
($280) (@Best Buy)

• A small inexpensive laptop that is perfect for this purpose.

(any laptop (or desktop if you want to run with a chord) capable of running Processing sketches can be used)

Laptop Desk: Laser Cut Acrylic
($25 (@ oomlout) ) or (build your own step 3)

• A few additional acrylic pieces which bolt onto a (SERB) to give it a desk for the laptop to sit on.

Nuts and Bols: (available at home depot)

• 3mm x 10mm bolt (x4)
• 3mm x 15mm bolt (x4)
• 3mm nut (x8)

Comments

[pkelley4]

The oomlout links for the chassis are not functioning. Are these still available?

[synchr0nize]

Is there a way to bind the keys you use to the keyboard instead of clicking left/right on the screen?

[avadhut10001]

Good Job ! i like robot pc!

[Puze]

Does anyone know how you can run this on linux?

[ZsurzsaLaszlo]

Hy, can someome tell me where can i find the Pattern for the wheels and the lower part of the robot?

Thanks,

[crxksa]

can you give me the code plz i am tring for 2 month still no progress [e-mail]

[D5quar3]

try using http://www.instructables.com/id/how-to-build-MACKRA-a-serb-variant/step7/the-software-arduino/

[crxksa]

can any one sent me The code for the arduino webserver [e-mail]

[kyle brinkerhoff]

dude just use vspe , all your problems will be solved, for the video feed use webcam xp

[crxksa]

hi i build the robot it took 3days to do it , after i got the code from a member http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuyOQKXwtUA ok bye

[DingleNutZ]

(removed by author or community request)

[crxksa]

can you give me the code plz i am tring for 2 month still no progress [e-mail]

[zmaster4]

really good tutorial :)

[ameggs]

 Can someone post the arduino code in an easier form so us NOOBS and use it. I really love this idea and Im already building the chassis now... just need the software.

[daveo84]

 Using this code and the wiring diagram supplied, when I connect my arduino board via usb to any machine both servos start spinning...

What gives?

[robotmaker]

nice job tooo but missing 05-webb arduino.zip

[nanni78]

hello missing file 05-WEBB-Arduino Code.zip? good job

[danielemur]

Could you use Lego mindstorms?

[adrian.robb]

I'm pretty sure Oomlout is an internet store only.
Either http://www.oomlout.com or http://www.oomlout.co.uk

[ze.gmonteiro]

Congratulations! I liked it very much... but wouldn't it be better if made from a Wishield instead of a netbook? (sorry about the English) http://asynclabs.com/home

[cats92]

Very nice and easy to use. Works well on the first try. Thanks

[max_ruls]

hay dood i love your web car well thats what i wood call it if i made it i wish that you coud tell me of an oomlout shop near brisbane if you can pleas can you email me at [e-mail]

[psymansays]

You can also use a VPN (LogMeIn Hamachi makes them easy) and write some simple TCP/IP client/server programs, to add proportional joystick support, and get better command-throughput than over HTTP.

I have something a little bit like this, that I built: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4M8YzrSBqc

[raykholo]

cant it just take commands from some website? maybe it would look at the blog section for text commands and u could password protect the site so it can do everything as u did here?

[raykholo]

never mind - i just realized that thats what u did, i was thinking more about something without all the numbers, so u could just go onto www.(whatever).com , login, and take it from there...

[rics]

Hi Stuart, Am I right that for a bigger laptop parts should be scaled properly? Bests, Richard

[rics]

Hi Stuart, you mention the cdr and eps files in step 2 but there is no link to them as it was with SERB. Could you add them? (I already got the electronics working and I have a cardboard prototype robot but now I am thinking about waterjet cutting and these files may be helpful.) Bests, Richard

[vince086]

this is really cool !! 2 questions, Can this work with a windows 98 SE computer ? and Can it work using 9 pin Serial port instead of usb? never really got usb devices to work on old computer

[joejoerowley]

Great Instructable! 5 stars!

[luke]

i have a eee, (check my instructables, would like to know what you think ) and last night i bought a arduino ..... that is creepy i think i may have to build this, but with tracks :D ( as i have them "in stock") very very nice job you have done by the way.

[mrbleh]

I cant help but think of this: xkcd ROCKS!

[fishyfish777]

Yeah.

[evanwehrer]

If you wanted to you could add a USB webcam so that you can have the laptop lid closed.

[mrbleh]

Oh, and that's completely awesome, by the way.