Wireless remote controlled robotic kits are not a new concept, but when advanced communication systems are additionally added, these could be quite useful for some hobbyists, students, and researchers.
The remote control can be done in a wide variety of modes, from simple technologies like an infrared remote control to advanced wireless technology like the 802.11 WiFi standard. A high amount of data requires a large-scale streaming solution for both sides – the user and robotic kit. For robots designed with video/audio capabilities and real-time streaming, a standard wireless technology like 802.11 WiFi is required. This communication technology allows users to control the robot over the Internet browser, console software, or directly from a PC connected to a wireless router.
In this article is available a series of robotic kits designed with 802.11 WiFi capabilities and with a wide range of sensors for autonomous applications that can be useful in real-life application like exploratory, remote surveillance, or entertainment.
Surveyor SRV-1 Blackfin Robot
Open-source WiFi compatible robotic kit with on-board camera and WLAN 802.11b/g support.
Thanks to open-source software and hardware components, SRV-1 is a fully programmable robot kit with wireless remote control for a maximum area of 1000 meters in outdoor areas, while indoor the robot can be controlled wireless for up to 100 meters.
SRV-1 is a small telepresence robot with camera on-board that support a resolution from 160×128 to 1280×1024 pixels.
Designed for hobbyists or students, the exploratory robot is compatible with WLAN 802.11b/g, and has integrated a laser pointer, or as an option is available ultrasonic ranging.
Based on WiFi technology, the robot can be operated remotely via Internet browser or console software with support for 3rd party applications.
The brain of the robot runs Linux 2.6 and programs written in C.
SuperDroid HD2
HD2 is an advanced wireless remote controlled robotic kit for real-life applications.
The HD2 is a technologically advanced indoor and outdoor tracked robot fully controllable through standard 802.11 WiFi technology. The robot has attached a 27X optical zoom camera that can be tilted at 180 degrees to capture images in almost any position.
The kit software is compatible with almost any Windows OS starts with XP and up to Windows 8. With a shock-resistance structure, HD2 was designed for real applications including here simple missions like climbing stairs and obstacles, remote surveillance, and up to the hostage and hazardous surveillance.
X80SV
Wheel based mobile platform full compatible with WiFi (802.11g) wireless technology and with multimedia support for live video/audio streaming.
X80SV is a wheeled mobile robot with robust structure, fast, low weight, and fully compatible with WiFi (802.11g) wireless technology. The robot is equipped with video high-resolution camera and audio capabilities that transform the open-source platform into a mobile telepresence robot.
Used by researchers or in educational purposes, the platform supports remote monitoring and high-level programs for autonomous navigation.
The wireless technology is used for remote control as well as sending multimedia streaming for real-life applications. The communication between the robot and a remote control is done through a secure wireless link.
In addition to multimedia systems, the mobile platform includes a series of sensors (three sonar sensors, 7 IR range sensors, two pyroelectric human motion sensors) that can be used in a variety of applications.
H20
Human-like robot compatible 802.11g wireless technology and with autonomous features.
With few exceptions, almost all human-like robots are technologically advanced machines with dual arms, dual legs, and a head. Our subject is called H2O and is a fully compatible 802.11g wireless technology. The humanoid robot is autonomous and is based on an old i90 platform including here a wide range of features like 12-inch touch screen tablet, two arms, two cameras located on the head, GPS navigation system, and a wheel based platform instead legs.
H2O support remote monitoring and control, while the GPS system works for autonomous navigation with precise position and direction.
Each arm has 6 degrees of freedom plus 2 degrees of freedom for the gripper that support a maximum lifting weight of 800 grams. Color cameras located in the head support 640×480 pixels, and the animated head has a total of 6 degrees of freedom.
The human-like robot has a solid body with a height of 1.4 meters and a body weight of 24 Kg.
DRK8080
Mobile platform with an animated head, video/audio streaming and a wide range of sensors that can be controlled over a wireless connection.
Two large eyes, wheels, and a body full of sensors – this is DRK8080. The animated head has integrated video/audio capabilities ready to be transmitted through WiFi technology far away to an end user. Compatible with WiFi 802.11 standard, the kit is a multimedia system on wheels plus a wide range of sensors that can be used for autonomous moving and obstacle detection.
The DRK8080 has mounted on each wheel a rotary sensor designed to measure with accuracy each movement. On the platform is located a mobile animated head with 7 degrees of freedom and two eyes that can pan and tilt independently.
Connected wireless to a PC the robot upload video/audio data as well as sensor information. In addition, the user can control remotely the robot via the same wireless connection.
With support for Windows and Linux, the mobile kit can be integrated with your PC where a series of software developed in the Microsoft Windows IDE can be developed for a wide range of applications.