The Mantis is here... (which is an off-roading, Netduino, remote controlled, with Cam, robocar)

Remote control cars are cool, but I want to see what the car is seeing, as if I was in the drivers seat. And I want it to be an uber-off-road capable car. And I want to build it myself. And I want to be able to control it from any Wi-Fi capable device. And I want to run C# on it...

I guess what I want is just what Chris at Secret Labs LLC gave us this heads-up about...

Open Source Robot Controls

I’ve been playing around with some ideas for an Arduino/Netduino robot control system the past few months. I knew that I wanted to be able to control my robots from an Android phone, PC, or any other WiFi enabled device. I also knew that I wanted the system to be small and simplistic, but also powerful and extensible. The reason I went with an Arduino (Ethernet Pro) or a Netduino Plus for the controller was the low cost, ease of programming, and the embedded ethernet port. I coupled the onboard ethernet with a wireless router so that I could connect and transmit data to the robot wirelessly. Here are the results of our first robot build with this system. The robot was affectionately named Mantis.

from Vimeo.

As for all of the parts we used in the video, here’s all of the basics you’ll need to get your control system off the ground:

1. Ethernet Pro or Netduino Plus ($55-60)

2. Screw Shield ($15)

2. Wireless Router ($30-50)

3. 40A Speed Controllers ($90 ea) (can substitute lower current controllers for smaller motors)

4. Spike Relay ($35) (optional – useful for switching headlights or other 12v accessories)

4. 5V Power Regulator ($15)

5. Ethernet Cable, PWM Cables, Power Cable (~$20)

6. Battery Terminals ($5)

7. Main Power Breaker ($30)

8. Fuse Block ($15)

9. 12V Battery ($100-$200)

Now all I need is to put a seat on it for my dog and I'll be in viral video heaven! 

Here’s a few more links you might find interesting:

• Netduino
• Getting started with the .Net Micro Framework, hardware and, oh, robots...
• Six Places Where I buy Netduino and other Electronics Bits
• A Gentle Introduction to Netduino
• Netduino is opening up to an wider audience with the .Net Micro Framework v4.2 release
• Netduino is RAD
• netduino Helpers
• New in the Maker Shed: Netduino, a .NET-powered open source electronics platform
• TWC9: Netduino, Twitter oAuth in Windows Phone, App skinning, and universal physics
• Netduino - .NET Micro Framework, open source, electronics platform, free (software), code walk though, cool…