Here is another video.  Playing with the Magic Panel.

Designed my first PCB tonight and uploaded it.  Should be fun to get it and work with my own board!

Posting some pics here so they can be referenced on the forums

More I2C Magic - With Webcam!

So I have a streaming webcam attached to a raspberry pi. I also have a netduino (similar to an arduino), which is acting as a web server. I can access it from my wireless devices. Then the netduino responds to commands that are then sent down the I2C bus.

Have a look...

Everything powered up

Well, everything is powered up with the I2C interface. Holos, PSIs, FLDs, RLD. Pretty cool!

Holoprojectors are connected!

Tonight I hooked up the 3 HoloProjectors to the I2C bus, and connected them to my existing Arduino/MP3Trigger/PS2 Controller setup.  With a little bit of coding I am now able to turn them on and off individually and altogether.

It appears they have a twitch function built in, so my commands get overridden quickly, but it does prove that I can control them.  Now I just need to tweak the programming to meet my needs and I am good.

Here is a video I made of them working.

Holoproject lights soldered

I picked up some holoprojector lights at DroidCon.

Tonight I soldered some pin headers and gave them some juice.  Love it when something works right when you plug it in!

My free frame is assembled!

I was given a used A&A frame at DroidCon!  I am so gracious for this.  I immediately came home and did what I could to put it together.  There are a few pieces missing, most notably the rear door, but I'm not complaining!

It feels good to get something physical done.

R2-D2 (and other bots) during vacation in Orlando

So while on vacation in Orlando with my son, R2-D2 (and other bots) showed up all over the place.

The first was at the elevator at the parking garage at Universal Studios.  I told him it must be a distant cousin of R2-D2...

Next we went to Legoland, where there was a life size version of R2-D2 made out of legos.

Finally we went to Kennedy Space Center, where they have an exhibit dedicated to robots.  I think this one was inspired by R2-D2.

And even though no directly related, here is another famous robot...

R2 has a voice!

Today I was able to get everything working with what I have done so far.  I have an Arduino Uno, which is taking input from a wireless PS2 controller, and then telling the MP3 Trigger to play sounds.  My R2 now has a disembodied voice!

George Takei posted this pic on facebook.  Thought it was excellent

OSWCC

Yesterday Nico and I went to OSWCC, where we saw our first life size RD-D2.  We were both amazed.  Here are a couple of pictures....

My first build!

Here it is!  My first build!  LOL

Shirt paid for

Spoke with JAG435 last night via private message, and sure enough, he didn't get a shirt request from my through PayPal.  I sent him the money this morning and received a confirmation this time from PayPal.

Here is the shirt logo:

Lots of purchases!

Yesterday before I left work I received approval for August 2nd off.  Yay!  Now I can go to DroidCon!  In preparation I made the following purchases:

1. Hotel Reservation = $196.56
2. SparkFun soldering tools with shipping = $32.76
3. Soldering workshop kit for DroidCon = $20.00 - PayPal
4. DroidCon shirt = $15.00 - PayPal (though it looks at this point like it hasn't gone through)

Today I cleaned out the garage, which has built up a lot of junk in 5 years.  My goal was to try and create a little space for some form of a work bench.  It is now a lot cleaner, and I have some space to do things!

DroidCON

So it appears there is a DroidCON coming up.  I ignored it the first time I read it because I assumed it would be in California.  Good thing I clicked the link to take a peek, because it is in Indianapolis, IN!  Looks like the cost is $15 for admission, and the room is $84 per night.  

The biggest problem is going to be how to reserve the room.  The date is August 2-4, which comes right on the heels of my vacation with Nico.  I definitely need to go to this, but need to figure out how to do it.

More information is at droidcon.info.

Ordered my first part!

So after doing some more readings on the forums, it has become apparent that parts are only available at random times, depending on when someone does a build run.  This means if you miss it you may not get another chance for the part in a year or so!

Today I saw that there was a run going on for the fanatastic holoprojector electronics.  I decided to get some of those.  I purchased 6 of them and paid with paypal.  The total came to $56.  Here is a picture of  what it looks like.

I will need to investigate how to hook it up and wire it.  At least I will not be missing out on this.

Last Night

After turning the computer off, I do what I do a lot, which is use the iPhone while in bed to browse till I get real sleepy. I used that time to do some reading and looking around at various electronic items.

I like everything I saw in the curiousmarc.com website.  I don't have the space right now or the power tools to really make the frame, but I can do some of the electronics.  I like his setup to control the servos.

I also did some research on the (cant remember the term)... the logic displays.  J.E.D.I. is one option that is popular but apparently it isn't being build anymore.  The other is TeeCee which is available.  I'll probably go that route.  The biggest difference that I could find is JEDI seems to be able to do more with the displays.  Maybe that has changed with the newest version of TeeCee?

Another thing I read about was the holoprojector lights.  I like what curiousmarc.com did there too.

I've seriously got the bug!

Introduction Emails Received

I received a bunch of emails, including being accepted to the yahoo groups and astromech sites.  I'm going to log in now and see what I can about stuff to download.  Things like blueprints and other stuff.

First Post

Well, I decided today that I am going to make my own R2-D2.  I've been reading about how many hobbyists are doing it and if they can do it, so can I.  I know it will be hard.  I know it will be expensive.  But this is something I want to do.  I've always had fun with legos, and robotics.  Why not try my hand at some wood working?

Today I registered for astromech.net, and I applied for group membership to the Y! Group R2-D2 Builders Club.  I've also started my notebook so I can keep notes, do research on materials, and keep track of anything else I need.