Sunday, 12 May 2013

Progress is being made – part deux

There has been quite a delay since my last update on this project, mostly due to a rather long period of time waiting for a specific servo motor to arrive in the post.
Well I finally got it and a few other bits I needed and was thus able to complete putting the package together.
Next test will be to see how it works on the bike. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to try it out this week if it ever warms up and stops raining.
So far this has been quite an experience and a lot of fun. I’m getting way ahead of myself but if the prototype performs as I’m hoping I already have a long list of enhancements I want to make. I want to be able to vary the speed of rotation. I’d like to eliminate the battery by using the bike’s 12V power supply. A wi-fi or blue tooth connection (wireless) for control would be cool. 3-dimensional panning would be amazing. And if I get really creative, a smart phone app to manage the settings like rotation speed and possibly even control the panning function itself. The sky’s the limit – well, almost, subject to time and budget. But hey, dreaming is free!

13 comments:

  1. Unknown12 May 2013 at 20:21

    Canajun:

    will we need a mortgage to buy this contraption ?

    or will you be giving away a few prototypes for "field testing" (hint)

    Can't wait to see it in action.

    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast

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  2. Canajun12 May 2013 at 20:30

    Bob - Surprisingly cheap, about $30 in parts and an hour or so to put it all together. $500 should do it. :)

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  3. Anonymous12 May 2013 at 22:30

    Dude- if what you've cobbled together is a new thing, patent it

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    Replies
    1. Canajun13 May 2013 at 08:41

      Not so sure it would be patentable - basically open-source code and an Arduino. Regardless I'd be more willing to share and let others add their knowledge to get a better solution.

      Delete
  4. David Masse13 May 2013 at 00:34

    Dave, very, very nice! GoPro will so want to offer you custom robotics work to enhance their videos. I see you hanging with all the crazy mad-skilled surfers, body suit flying wackoes, heli pilots and aerobatic stunt flyers, avalanche skiers, base jumpers, BMX flyers, and dune-hopping dirt bikers!!!! All thanks to your mad scientist electro-skills and a few brave beta testers willing to risk everything to film their work day commutes in Montreal and Vancouver in '360-pana-Dave-O-vision'. Simply amazing. Next time blur out the circuit board secret componentry though. Gotta protect the IP!!!!

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    Replies
    1. Canajun13 May 2013 at 08:43

      Thanks David. Still lots of testing to do and (hopefully) minor tweaks. My big concern is the robustness of the connection between the camera and the servo: it's a pretty small screw holding it all together.

      Delete
  5. RichardM13 May 2013 at 01:05

    Pretty cool project. I have an Arduino "kit" sitting on my desk but haven't dug into it beyond blinking lights. Not enough time in a day...

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    1. Canajun13 May 2013 at 08:44

      Richard - Time is always the issue. But it is pretty cool stuff, especially once you have your own project to do rather than just the sample exercises. I already have a list of 5 or 6 projects in mind, and growing....

      Delete
  6. Trobairitz13 May 2013 at 11:55

    Good thing dreaming is free or we'd all be in trouble.

    Overcome, adapt, improvise - you are doing a great job.

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    1. Canajun13 May 2013 at 12:59

      Trobairitz - Thanks. Adaptation and improvisation are most of the fun. If I had all the tools and equipment I needed this would be just like a job.

      Delete
  7. Kathleen Jennette13 May 2013 at 15:00

    This is great! I'm nicknaming you Wizard! Are you getting a patent... I hope :)

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    Replies
    1. Canajun13 May 2013 at 18:12

      Now I have to go and dig out my pointy hat. :)

      Delete
  8. Alan P. LaRue14 May 2013 at 10:31

    Next, build a sensor (possibly a tiny camera with software) that attaches inside the helmet to detect where the riders eyes are directed, and point the camera there! You'll tilt in addition to pan.

    Just kidding... very cool device!

    ReplyDelete

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