Product category:
Wireless data transmission
News Release from: Digi International | Subject: Digi MaxStream
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 16 July 2007
Digi MaxStream modules enable robots to
swarm
SRV-1 robot "swarms" are being used by researchers and educational institutions in a quest to better understand sophisticated control and automation techniques using very low-cost robots
Howard Gordon from Surveyor explained more about his application that uses Digi International MaxStream XBee-PRO wireless modules to relay data and to connect wireless mobile robots: "The Surveyor SRV-1 is a small programmable wireless mobile robot with digital video camera and infrared sensors, plus a fast 32-bit ARM7 processor Operating as a remotely-controlled webcam or a self-navigating autonomous robot, the SRV-1 can run onboard C or BASIC programs or be remotely managed from a Windows, Mac OS/X or Linux base station with Python or Java-based console software, or controlled through the newly released Microsoft Robotics Studio
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 11 Dec 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
XBee wall router extends ZigBee networks
Digi International has introduced the XBee wall router, a ZigBee router used to expand a ZigBee network range, by plugging into standard power sockets
Migration for analogue modem devices to cellular
Digi International has introduced the DialServ, a phone line simulator that integrates with Digi cellular gateways to allow legacy devices with built-in modems to drop-in to cellular IP networks
The console software includes a built-in web server to monitor and control the SRV-1 via a web browser from anywhere in the world, as well as archive video feeds on-demand or on a scheduled basis.
"The SRV-1 was designed as a research and education tool, especially for multi-robot 'swarm' applications.
Video-enabled mobile robots have historically been quite expensive, and the SRV-1 provides a major breakthrough in cost, making it affordable for researchers to employ multiple robots in their projects.
Further reading
MaxStream XBee ZigBee modules help ice skaters
MaxStream ZigBee Modules from Digi International ensure perfect skating conditions, by spreading wireless battery powered sensors around and under the ice in Holland
Remote networking solution for cement production
The Digi ConnectPort WAN VPN used by DornerControl for collecting cement plant operational data has enabled simple wireless data collection, increased safety and easy set-up
Additionally, the SRV-1 is one of the first small mobile robots to use video as its primary sensor, which creating the opportunity to develop new algorithms for video-based feature recognition, navigation and localisation.
"The ability to link the robots to a base station and to other robots is a fundamental requirement in our design.
We examined a variety of standards-based and proprietary wireless communications products, most seriously considering 802.11 and Bluetooth in addition to 802.15.4/ZigBee.
While the ZigBee data rate was lower than alternatives, it provided adequate video frame throughput for our application, while providing considerably better range than Bluetooth and considerably lower power consumption and lower cost than 802.11.
"There were a number of ZigBee vendors to choose between, but the low-cost MaxStream development kits made it easy for us to evaluate the technology, and pricing of the XBee/XBee-PRO modules was very attractive.
We were able to integrate the XBee-PRO radios with our robots very quickly.
"Because of this, we have a robust commercial-grade design at consumer-grade cost.
In addition, we have assembled a rich set of open-source software tools that make this robot a good choice as a development platform for a variety of robotics research and education applications".
• Digi International: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Processingtalk email newsletter
• Processingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
