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Tomcat7194
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| Posted: February 04 2007 at 15:50 | IP Logged
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Has anyone ever considered figuring out a way to control a Roomba robotic vacuum from Powerhome? Apparently newer Roomba models have a serial interface, and the company releases an SDK and encourages people to hack its products.
Since the Roomba uses IR, you could probably steer it from Powerhome, or at the very least tell it to start its cleaning routine in response to a trigger. People have also created all sorts of crazy hacks that allow room mapping and remote sensing. With a complicated enough setup, the Roomba could be a great platform for data gathering.
Thoughts?
Tom
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theowl
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| Posted: February 06 2007 at 09:36 | IP Logged
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I've been thinking about this also. However, for the cost of the Roomba, I'd like to see it have a wifi or RF connection. I see a small problem with keeping in constant contact via IR.
It would definately be nice to have something like this tied into PH and ordered to clean when PH knows that no one is home.
Owl
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TonyNo
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| Posted: February 06 2007 at 11:58 | IP Logged
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For a wireless solution, you could get two of those RS232-to-Bluetooth adapters for ~$70 each.
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dhoward
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| Posted: February 07 2007 at 22:03 | IP Logged
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Heh,
I have a Roomba and have though of using PowerHome for control as well. However as Owl mentioned, the IR contact seems to be the problem. Ive got most of my IR now working with the Ocelot and stick on emitters so don't currently have any blasters.
Perhaps a battery operatated version of the pyramids with a receiver unit sitting right on top of the Roomba.
I would definately be interested in hearing if anyone does get anything going. I'd work on it myself, just don't have the time right now.
Dave.
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Tomcat7194
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| Posted: February 13 2007 at 10:36 | IP Logged
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Maybe one could hack the Roomba remote, using a universal module to, at the very least, trigger the On/Off button.
Another option would be the Serial to Bluetooth approach. Apparently the Roomba is designed to be hacked, and it supplies you with a lot of info (ranging from Distance Traveled to Battery Charge (in mAH)), as well as controls of motors, LEDS, and its onboard speaker, all through the serial port. There are already some free programs out there that allow you to access that info from the computer, and people have gotten the programs to work with a serial to bluetooth interface.
I did some reading, and it appears that bluetooth has a range of about 30 feet. Maybe this could be a workable technology...Not sure if it's worth the investment though.
Tom
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TonyNo
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| Posted: February 13 2007 at 16:00 | IP Logged
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There are multiple versions of bluetooth adapters rated from 10-100 meters (~30-300 feet).
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scottmi1
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| Posted: February 15 2007 at 12:47 | IP Logged
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Here are some articles on how to to create a serial and a bluetooth interface for the Roomba.
Mike..
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Tomcat7194
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| Posted: June 09 2007 at 17:19 | IP Logged
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Ok, reviving this topic...
Here is the spec manual for the Rooma Serial Command Interface, which allows the Roomba to connect to a computer via a serial cable (or serial connected to a Bluetooth adapter, ideally):
http://www.irobot.com/images/consumer/hacker/Roomba_SCI_Spec _Manual.pdf
Based on the specs in there, would it be possible to perform certain Roomba commands directly from PH's serial utilities? For example, would it be possible to read the state of the dirt sensor (see page 7) using PH code? If so, any idea how one would go about coding this?
I would be happy to take a crack at a PH controlled Roomba and post my results to my site so long as I have a basic idea how to get PH to interact with it. Any help with PH and serial control would be great.
Thanks
Tom
Edited by Tomcat7194 - June 09 2007 at 17:21
__________________
Do It Yourself Home Automation--My Home Automation site
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theowl
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| Posted: October 22 2012 at 13:11 | IP Logged
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Looks like Bluetooth control of Roomba is now a reality.
http://www.karlssonrobotics.com/shop/rootooth-bluetooth-wire less-roomba-connection
I can't currently investigate this option, other projects are in the way.
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Topic: Roomba
