SimLearn

Justin Richard is enrolled in an independent study this semester to explore developing interfaces for mechanical devices. His background in mechanical engineering and information technology is a perfect combination; and it looks to be a very productive semester for both of us. I’m an Assistant Professor in the Multimedia Web Design and Development program at the University of Hartford. Justin is a Senior in the program. Our goal is to build a web-based interface that would enable a mechanical robot to be controlled from anywhere.   

Tentative agenda for the project: 

1. Develop a program  to control an NXT robot via Bluetooth from a computer.
2. Install a wireless webcam on the robot to view live video from the robot over the web.
3. Interface the control program with a web server CGI script to control the robot from over the web.

We were quite impressed by this remotely controllolable robot called RemoteDriver 2. It has a Tablet PC strapped to its back with a webcam and uses a custom chassis interfaced with Phidgets using the Phidgets ActionScript Library [PDF].
[QUICKTIME http://marumushi.heteml.jp/remotedriver2/mov/remotedriver2_4mb.mov 320 240]