Driving roomba using an Android phone

[franky1664]

I have just released an Android based app to remote control a Roomba (using the bluetooth/serial adaptor).

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maFXFOhn_yw[/video].

It's fairly simple, but shows the principle. It's available for free from the Android market. Let me know if it works for you.

I have seen there's one for iPhone too, but it seems to use a computer between the phone and the Roomba...

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[waiting]

wow! very very nice app man! that's a pitty I am iphone user and the current app did not work for me... Anyway,... were you able to get info from the roomba? you know, sensors, battery charge, etc,... I am going crazy with that task :$

[mfortuna]

I will have to try that. Yes there is one for the iphone/ipod touch that uses a computer for bluetooth.

[TechGuy]

I just got my Samsung Captivate couple of weeks ago. I need to try this. Need to find someway to put the bluetooth thing inside Roomba.

What is the name of your app?

[Off-topic]
When I search for "Roomba" at the market, I found only one app... Guess what it is called Robot Review. Now, I don't have to use the Browser to read posts...
[/Off-topic]

[mfortuna]

If you look at the link in the original posting it seems to be called roomba-touch-drive.

[mfortuna]

I can't find it via my droid's market app. If I try to download it via the droid web browser it wants me to create a google account. Too much trouble for me.

[Fraggboy]

I tried to download it, but it's not available.

[franky1664]

It got un-published somehow . I have published it again and seems to be available on Market again . Simply search for 'roomba', the app is called Roomba Touch Drive.

It does not display any sensor data, but I did have a PC version of the SW that did that succesfully by requesting sensor data to be streamed continuously. If I find some time I'll add it...

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[Fraggboy]

Awesome!! I got it. Not that I can do anything with it (now).

[bhylak]

As for putting the bluetooth inside the Roomba, I believe there is enough space if you get a rootooth and connect it to the SCI port's cable. I had pictures of that cable, I'll see if I can find it.

[waiting]

As for putting the bluetooth inside the Roomba, I believe there is enough space if you get a rootooth and connect it to the SCI port's cable. I had pictures of that cable, I'll see if I can find it.

I also have planned to do that... so the way is to find a hole to host the BT chip, and to cut the wire near the connector and set every little wire on the right hole and fix it with some kind of tape...

Am I the only one with that idea in mind?

[mfortuna]

Tape is not a good idea. If you cut the wires off at the connector there are no holes on the rootooth to insert wires into. There are pins. You would need to solder to each pin. This applies to the 400 series. On the 500 series I think the jack mounts directly to the motherboard so there is nothing that can be cut. You could make an extender to connect to the rootooth. I think the SCI connector is based on an old style. (PS-1 instead of PS-2?).

[bhylak]

Yea, you may be able to cut out the plastic surrounding the SCI port so you can pull it down into the Roomba and just connect it from there.

[vic7767]

Here is another thread about this same Rootooth hack in a 500 Roomba.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=12023

[waiting]

Here is another thread about this same Rootooth hack in a 500 Roomba.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=12023

Yes vic, but there is unfinished.... at least in pictures, there is no final pic of this process, right?

[vic7767]

Yes, the project is not complete, it is awaiting further input from folks like you.

[mfortuna]

I think this app may need work. It doesn't work right with my create. The create does notice the commands and moves, but it is pretty random. It may have done that much since it was paired to a PC previously and the BAUD rate had been set. I would think you would need to add user controls for the BAUD rate and maybe the robot type.

[bhylak]

It seems like he has only tested with 500 series, which of course have a different baud rate.

[waiting]

Yes, the project is not complete, it is awaiting further input from folks like you.

LOL I have seen (but don't remember where) a guy who has cut the rootooth connector and set every wire inside the right hole of the motherboard female connector... but I don't dare to do it

[franky1664]

The app does not support the Create. The baud rate is different and some of the opcodes are also not supported.

I'll note it in my enhancements list, but I'll have no way to test it...

It seems also that there are a number of failures on some phone types during the Bluetooth SPP connection establishment. I wonder if other apps already use SPP

The only combination I am able to test is HTC Hero & Roomba 560 . But I would be interested in hearing how it works (or not) with other combinations...

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