Put your R/C car under computer control

 by prank
A step by step instructable on how to take any R/C car and control it with your computer
 
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Step 1: Overview

my friend leslie got me a radio controlled rat, so I decided to make a computer interface for it (because I'm a huge dork)
This instructable shows how to hack up an R/C car and connect it to your computer. I made a web interface for mine so that my mom could drive a little car around my room from north carolina (I'm in boston), using a webcam to watch it.
This is pretty fun project, takes about an hour to solder up, and if you can make toys computer controlled, you'll uh.....have lots of friends
Also, I'm writing an instructable on using an R/C car to make a digital radio link. Stay tuned, amigos.
-al
http://www.artiswrong.com
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krisquinney says: Feb 4, 2012. 10:34 AM
this is the coolest ible.
andikovaci says: Jan 15, 2012. 7:28 AM
man you are a genius
emaan says: Dec 15, 2011. 12:18 PM
hi make this circuit but one problem occurred car is going automatically without pressing any key although i code it which is fine ...now any idea??????????????
rverma8 says: Dec 11, 2011. 12:47 AM
where do i find these chips
rverma8 says: Dec 11, 2011. 12:45 AM
is there any easy way to control rc car by pc
minijc says: Jul 5, 2011. 11:34 AM
why dont you just get one of those big track cars and make the control pannle wierless sory about my bad spelling
Music_Man608 says: Apr 17, 2011. 7:44 AM
As I'm searching I'm finding that most of you are extremely smat and very good at what you do. I have a dilemma involving R/C as well. I'm trying to build a 48 channel fireworks ignitor. As it stands it's almost complete but it's not wireless. Right now I have to plug a cord into an RCA jck on the board and the other end is connected to an electric match. I got all that. What I need help with is making this an optional "wireless" unit so I can stand back withmy guests at my party and ignite my fireworks from a few feet away. The problem is that the biggest R/F transmitter / receiver I found was only 15 cannels, and it was expensive enough that it wouldn't be cost effective to buy 3 of them plus and additional 3 or 4 channel to build it. I'm extremely limited on experience with eectronics and have no experience with IC's but I'm willing to learn if someone can pont me in the right direction. Thanks.
Venemot says: Apr 16, 2011. 5:33 AM
Hey guys the best and easiest way to control something with your pc is by using a phidget.....just connect two wires to each button as written in this instructable but no need for checking power or ground .....connect the wires to the relays in the phidget and connect the phidget to your pc via the usb cable that is usually supplied with the phidget....i would have already made one but i couldnt find phidget....they are not available in my city....you can buy one at computer stores....the programming is easy although i dont know how to do it.... a friend of mine who is a computer genius(i wouldnt call him a geek....which most people will) told me it is easy and told me when you are done with the hadware work inform me and i will help you with the programming......really people once you use a phidget you will forget that something named serial port ever existed......you can find phidgets with minimum 4 and maximum (i think more than)10 relays.....
Venemot says: Mar 28, 2011. 8:22 AM
It is really good and i have been trying to do this but i cant find all the stuff, i dont understand the schematic pics and i am not very good at computer especially programming so i cant make it right.I will keep trying.And once again FANTASTIC
yusca says: Dec 6, 2010. 7:25 AM
ooops!its hard to get those resources in where i live. can i get the requirements in old electronics????? pliz help

yusca says: Dec 4, 2010. 3:34 AM
excuse me please give me instructions on this whole project
matstermind says: Sep 14, 2010. 4:41 AM
would a max222 chip work?
salendarsingh says: Jul 14, 2010. 10:01 PM
i have the same idea as this, so can write a software program to control the car wirelessly please reply
diyman says: Feb 13, 2009. 4:50 PM
Nice Work! have you tried it with this type of controller. i am very well looking forward to controlling a rc car with my pc Great work again.
rc-transmitter.jpgrc-transmitter-stick-movement.gif
robert111 in reply to diymanMay 20, 2010. 7:34 PM
 hello my name rob can you tell me how much it will be to do this 
lj123456 says: Apr 14, 2010. 6:32 AM
can this project be done with a arduino
Chiranjeeb says: Jul 21, 2009. 10:46 PM
cool.. i like it dude....
pazvlad says: Jun 19, 2009. 12:29 AM
Fear and loathing in las vegas!!! I win
123456789pos says: Jun 8, 2009. 2:52 AM
cool insructable!
Miffy20 says: May 1, 2009. 1:42 PM
I'm a beginner when it comes to things like this. I could use some more detailed help and making a kit for this would be great!
runthunter246 says: Apr 2, 2009. 7:17 PM
hhaha WO too much tech for my brain. but i can see how someone who really wanted to do this could..i was just skimming it. but nice
millingabout says: Apr 11, 2008. 10:59 AM
>(how much for the ape?) (anybody get that reference? somebody? please????) Are you referencing the cartoon with the ape that lived in a pet shop?
monkeywithawrench in reply to millingaboutMar 13, 2009. 6:41 PM
its a brass monkey. right?
prank (author) in reply to millingaboutApr 11, 2008. 5:17 PM
no! nyet! non! bu!
monkeywithawrench in reply to prankMar 13, 2009. 6:41 PM
is it a brass monkey
dontdiewondering says: Mar 8, 2009. 4:16 AM
will this by any chance damage my motherboard or paraller port?
livesteamfan says: Jun 25, 2008. 8:31 PM
This is very cool! It would be even better if you applied this to a full-sized car!!!
ReCreate in reply to livesteamfanJan 10, 2009. 9:13 AM
cool
Callum Snowden says: Dec 14, 2008. 6:33 AM
You could always use this software from herehere.If using windows download ksi8 winall.exe for windows.It is designed for a relay board which they sell but I use it for my LED grid.It uses the parallel port on a computer or laptop.
amithav says: Aug 20, 2008. 1:25 AM
Nice work...Can we control this using my joystick...How...?
adi12104 says: Apr 29, 2008. 11:58 PM
sir i have already read your tutorial and i very interested so i change your cujo program so it become like this
===================================
#include <avr/io.h>
#include <inttypes.h>
#include <avr/interrupt.h>
#include <avr/signal.h>

uint8_t buffer[256];
uint8_t head=0;
uint8_t tail=0;

unsigned char noids[16];
unsigned char noids_index;
unsigned char flop;

char a;
char sel;
char o1;

void usart_putc(unsigned char c) {
// wait until UDR ready
//while(!(UCSR0A & (1 << UDRE0)));
UDR = c; // send character
}

void delay(int del)
{
int del1, del2, count;
for(count=0;count<del;count++)
for(del1=0;del1<20;del1++)
for(del2=0;del2<1000;del2++)
;
}

void uart_init()
{
UCSRA = (1<<RXC);
UCSRB = (1<<RXEN) | (1<<TXEN) | (1<<RXCIE);
UCSRC = (3<<UCSZ0);
UBRRH = 0;
UBRRL = 12; //4800 8n1
}

SIGNAL(SIG_USART_RECV){
a=UDR;
PORTB=a;
usart_putc(a+1);
}

int
main (void)
{
uart_init();
sei();
DDRB=255;
DDRC=255;
DDRD=255;
while(1)
{

}

return (0);
}
==============================================
i just want to ask your opinion about this code will it run in atmega32 because in my country i only can find this and i cant buy from digikey because i dont have any credit card
thanks
please reply me as soon as possible

DELETED_cholo71796 says: Apr 26, 2008. 6:05 PM
(removed by author or community request)
DELETED_cholo71796 in reply to DELETED_cholo71796Apr 26, 2008. 6:10 PM
(removed by author or community request)
mightywombat says: Apr 22, 2008. 4:25 PM
You have to watch yourself out here. This is bat country.
prank (author) in reply to mightywombatApr 22, 2008. 5:15 PM
yyyyyyyyessss!
mightywombat in reply to prankApr 22, 2008. 6:46 PM
Can't believe nobody got that...
twhaley says: Nov 17, 2007. 2:30 PM
Does anyone know how to access the address and data bus from vb6? i used to be a computer genius in the days of quickbasic and vb3, it was inp and outp but now vb6 and vb.net make it difficult. (fear and loathing btw). all i want is to read from and write to adresses from vb6 or vb.net without going back for my masters and re-inventing the wheel. Irecently move out of my mothers basement and I even kissed a girl once so don't think i'm a dork or anything.
millingabout in reply to twhaleyApr 11, 2008. 10:57 AM
What address and data bus? IF you mean the parallel port, then go to http://logix4u.net/, and download their "inpout" dll.
NapalmJoe says: Jul 13, 2006. 1:32 AM
Any chance you could do this with an Xmod?
gbosbiker in reply to NapalmJoeMar 20, 2008. 5:21 PM
xmods rock! i got the new evolution line and they are soo much better. ive spent like 400 bucks total on all of my 3 xmods!
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