The news recently broke that the new version of the OpenBot project, 0.5, has been released , which includes some interesting improvements such as a redesign of the Arduino firmware, adding support for RTR and RC robots, as well as support for configuration messages, among other things.
For those who do not know about OpenBot, I can tell you that this is a project that develops a platform to create robots with wheels in motion, whose base is a normal smartphone based on Android.
The platform was created in Intel's research division and develops the idea of ​​using the computing capabilities of a smartphone and the integrated GPS, gyroscope, compass and camera when creating robots.
The robot control, environmental analysis, and autonomous navigation software is implemented as an Android application. The code is written in Java, Kotlin, and C++ and is distributed under the MIT license.
It is hoped that the platform could be useful for teaching robotics, rapidly creating their own moving robot prototypes, and conducting research related to autopilots and autonomous navigation.
About OpenBot
OpenBot allows the user to start experiments with moving robots at a minimal cost : to create a robot, simply use a mid-range smartphone and additional components for a total cost of approximately $50.
The robot's chassis , as well as the related parts for connecting a smartphone, are 3D printed according to the proposed designs (if a 3D printer is unavailable, the frame can be cut from cardboard or plywood). Propulsion is provided by four electric motors.
To control motors, accessories and additional sensors, as well as to monitor battery charging, an Arduino Nano board based on the ATmega328P microcontroller is used, which connects to a smartphone via a USB port.
In addition, the connection of ultrasonic sonar and speed sensors is supported. The robot can be controlled remotely via an Android client app, via a computer on the same WiFi network, via a web browser, or via a Bluetooth-enabled game controller (such as PS4, XBox and X3).
The control software that runs on a smartphone includes a machine learning system for object recognition (around 80 types of objects are defined) and performs autopilot functions.
The application allows the robot to determine the desired objects, avoid obstacles, follow the selected object and solve autonomous navigation problems.
For example, a robot can move to a specific location on autopilot, adapting to changes in the environment. Movement can also be controlled manually, using the robot as a remote-controlled moving camera.
Main novelties of OpenBot 0.5
In the new version , the firmware for Arduino has been significantly redesigned , in which support for additional types of robots (RTR and RC) has appeared.
In addition, support for a new messaging protocol with microcontroller firmware was added to the Android application, the ability to process configuration messages was implemented, and support for control via game controllers was rebuilt. 3D-printable models of the new RC-Truck chassis were also added.
Another notable change is the addition of a button to switch the robot's camera within the client application, and the discontinuation of RTSP support in favor of WebRTC. The Node.js-based web interface allows for remote control of the robot's movement via a web browser, streaming data from the robot's video camera using WebRTC.
Finally, if you are interested in learning more about the project, you can find the details at the following link.