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Linksys router turned robot
Author: Gareth HalfacreePublished: 29th August 2008
Jon Bennett's creation has a top speed of 10MPH, and can be driven remotely via the Internet or a wireless laptop.
Hacker Jon Bennett has probably gone slightly further than most, having used the popular device as the brains for wireless rover robot. As reported by Hack a Day, Jon's creation is built out of a cheap radio controlled car, the aforementioned Linksys router, a microcontroller, a webcam, and a remote-operated horn. Which is, to be frank, awesome.
The WiFi device has a range of around 500 metres, and features souped-up electronics after the originals melted under the load required by the extras – which need two 7.2V 3800mAh battery packs to run.
As you would expect from a device with a wireless router at its heart, the robot is designed to be operated either from a WiFi terminal nearby or remotely over the Internet. With the addition of a networked webcam, it's entirely possible to control the car from a continent away – and did I mention the remote-operated horn? Sweet.
Despite the extra weight added by all the electronics, the robot is still pretty nippy – Jon's measured it at just shy of ten miles per hour, or around 16 kilometres per hour.
If you want to see more of this pretty sweet hack, Jon's website contains more than enough information to whet your appetite – and even circuit diagrams should you wish to have a go yourself. There's even the inevitable YouTube video of the robot in action.
Fancy building your own Linksys-based robot, or are you just – like me – going to keep pestering Jon until he lets you have a go? Share your thoughts over in the forums.
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Comments (14)Stats: 0.039 seconds
Thanks for the information Bindi
I thought that bindi post it on the forums and the front page :D lol Sorry buddy ;) I got pawned :D
not thanks bindi and thanks Gareth Halfacree :p
I only get about eight minutes drive time, though, the motor is a beast >.>
I found this forum by checking who's linked to my project.
I'm so glad you guys thought it was cool!
I really appreciate the original write up here, rather than a copy-paste from another site.
If there are any comments or suggestions for improvement I would love to hear them. Either post here, post a comment on my site, or send me an e-mail. jon <at> jbprojects <dot> net.
Thanks!