Greetings everyone!
I had some software problems that are now fixed, so am back working with
my BeagleBoard again! I'm currently using a Beagle C3, and am looking forward
to getting an XM board once the current problems have been fixed and new boards
are available. Until then, I am quite happy with my Beagle C3 and USB hub.
I've successfully built several software images and once again have a
good development setup that includes Python. I now have a solid goal for
W..A.L.T.E.R., which is to become a helperbot for myself and other disabled
people. The final version will be large enough to be useful, but small enough
to be easily transported on a powered wheelchair or scooter.
Now for some moe technical stuff.. I've figured out how to use one of
the SparkFun breadboard power supplies to allow powering Beagle from any NiCad
or NMIH R/C type battery pack. I've built a little adapter cable to allow
powering the USB hub from a second battery pack if required.
WALTER is now going to be a four wheeled robot with independent steering
and speed control on all wheels. This should allow for extremely flexible
movement around any indoor environment. I've written software for Arduino
class boards to allow full slave control over a UART, and it works. However, I
haven't yet tested this when connected to my Beagle.
The Beagle does recognize the Arduino's USB tty but I still have some
work to do on the Python establish connection code. I want to be able to tell
what functions are available on an Arduino class board that's connected to
Beagle, so am planning to add a unique code to each Arduino board and a table
in the Beagle Python code.
I will now be able to use the Cherokee web server for WALTER's web
interface and DJango to build it. This will allow me to connect in all the
custom Python code I need to write without too much trouble. At least I am
hoping it works out that way..
OE now has most, if not all, of the
software I need for WALTER, and I have built a complete development image to
use.
I am going to need every bit of speed I can wring out of my Beagle to
make all of this happen. I am seriously thinking about getting a Beagle C4
just for the added speed. I need another Beagle anyway, one for testing, and
one to mount on WALTER.
I am progressing, albeit slowly, due to some health issues that make
concentration and focus quite difficult a lot of the time now. Hopefully this
will be all diagnosed and corrected soon though!
8-Dale