Android Telepresence Robot

When you hear about telepresence robots, you might think of those big, expensive units like the ones featured in Modern Family and Big Bang Theory. You may have never imagined building a telepresence robot of your own. Check it out. It's cheaper and easier than you'd think!

Download PocketBot on to your Android device

Step 1: Parts and Tools

Parts list

2 Android devices with Android 3.1 or higher, 1 will need OTG support http://android.stackexchange.com/questions/36887/...

Arduino Uno or equivalent

Adafruit Motor Shield

Cell phone window mount

OTG Cable

Adafruit Mini Robot Rover Chassis Kit

AA Battery Holder with switch

4 AA Batteries

May also need assorted screws and spacers to mount the Arduino

Tools

#1 and #2 Phillips screwdriver

Pliers

Hot glue gun

Step 2: ​Assemble the Robot Frame

Pretty straight forward. Adafruit has directions if you need them.

Step 3: Solder the Motor Shield

Adafruit has directions if you need them.

Step 4: Mount the Arduino

Use the included hardware to mount the Arduino. Anyway you can get it to fit should be fine.

Step 5: Remove Suction Cup

The lever that holds the cup in place can be pried loose with some force. It has a pin that slides out. You may break it while removing but that's OK. You can just throw that part away along with the suction cup and spring.

Step 6: Attach Phone Mount to Top Level

I used hot glue for this step.

The next step will show a picture of this.

Step 7: Attach Battery Pack to Front

I also used hot glue for this step. The batteries are very difficult to change. So I think this part should be improved. However the weight of the batteries help counter balance the weight of the phone. This end of the phone could use a little more weight.

Step 8: Install PocketBot Telepresence Arduino Library

You can download the library from github

https://github.com/frankjoshua/PocketBot

Here is a link with information about installing Arduino libraries

Step 9: Install PocketBot Onto Android Device

You can download PocketBot from the Google Play Store.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tesseractmobile.pocketbot

Step 10: Connect Android to Arduino Using the OTG Cable

The phone or tablet should detect when the Arduino is plugged in to it. Click always allow and then OK. Then PocketBot will open.

Step 11: Switch to "Control Mode" to Test Using on Screen Controls

Slide out the left side drawer. Click on Face/Modes. Then select the "Control" mode.Use the on screen controls to verify the robot is working. The left side joystick should now control the speed and direction of the robot.

Step 12: Rename Robot

Slide out the left side drawer. Click settings. The click "Set Robot Name"You can choose any name you like.

Step 13: Switch to "Telepresence Mode"

Slide out the left side drawer. Click on Face/Modes. Then select the "Telepresence" mode.After a minute you should see a 7 digit number at the top of the screen. This is like the robots phone number.Also control information will be displayed in this area after you connect remotely with a second android device.

Step 14: Switch Second Device to "Control Mode"

Slide out the left side drawer. Click on Face/Modes. Then select the "Control" mode.

Step 15: Connect to Robot

Press the connect button. This will bring up a dialog. Select the remote robot from the list.