Wi-Fi Control

Setup and Uses

Wireless Connectivity

Wireless Bridge

Some controllers have built-in wireless cards or access, and users have to configure each wireless device individually. We use a proven and reliable Wireless Bridge that allows us to put several devices onto the network at the same time. This bridge allows us to connect up to four network devices (and more, when you add a low-cost switch). Ethernet devices run like they're wired to your main network router, and you can port out and access your devices from anywhere.

Wireless Router

If you'd rather not run your robot off your network, ourWireless Router lets you run it from anywhere. When you add a router to the robot, you can connect multiple network-compatible accessories which communicate with each other. You can jump onto this network with your laptop, phone or tablet when you want to monitor outputs or control the robot.

Sections on this page:

Setup and Uses
Choosing Between a Router or Bridge
How to Build a WiFi Robot
Controlling a WiFi Robot
Typical Controls

Related Support Pages:

Related Categories:

Control Interfaces

Once you connect the wireless bridge or router, you're ready to add a standard network device and a controller.

Wi-Fi Custom Control Interface

With our Wi-Fi Custom Control Interface Packageyou get

A Custom Control Board
Custom Control Software
EnGenius Xtra Long-range Ethernet Bridge or TP-Link 54Mbps Wireless Router TL-WR340G
iPocket232 RS232 to Ethernet Converter
7 Chan High Cur TTL Driver with 4 Power 5V Relays
Logitech USB GamePad Controller
4 Switching Regulators
Connectivity begins with the Logitech USB GamePad Controller, which connects directly to your computer via USB port. The drivers should automatically download (if not, find them here). Once they're installed, open your customized control software and jump onto the network. Your computer and the robot should both be on the same network. Verify the connection. You can send signals from your laptop to your robot's EnGenius Xtra Long-range Ethernet Bridge or TP-Link 54Mbps Wireless Router TL-WR340G. The data is routed to the iPocket232 RS232 to Ethernet Converter , which changes it from the Ethernet packet to an RS-232 signal. The board then takes the packet and disrupt the commands to each device on the robot. Devices like servos, motors and sensors can be turned on and off with the 7 Chan High Cur TTL Driver with 4 Power 5V Relays. Power to the devices themselves is regulated by the 4 Switching Regulators (provided).

Once your control board is customized, it can't be edited (although it can be tweaked if your software needs change). With this setup, you can maximize the robot's capabilities without learning code.

Programmable WiFi Custom Interface

We offer a less expensive alternative, the Programmable WiFi Custom Interface Package. Its Arduino platform is extremely user-friendly, and it's a great way to learn programming language. This package includes:
- Arduino Mega 2560 R3
- Arduino Ethernet Shield R3
- SDR Custom Arduino Mega Shield
- Custom Arduino Software
- Custom .NET Software
- EnGenius Xtra Long-range Ethernet Bridge or TP-Link 54Mbps Wireless Router TL-WR340G
- iPocket232 RS232 to Ethernet Converter
- 7 Chan High Cur TTL Driver with 4 Power 5V Relays
- Logitech USB GamePad Controller
- 3 Switching Regulators
The Arduino option is similar to the Custom Controls Interface Package (above). The gamepad connects to your computer, which is already running our custom software. Jump on the EnGenius Xtra Long-range Ethernet Bridge or TP-Link 54Mbps Wireless Router TL-WR340G networks, and you can communicate with the robot. Instead of moving to the IPocket, though, the packet goes directly to the Arduino Ethernet Shield R3. The Ethernet shield plugs directly into the SDR Custom Arduino Mega Shield, which is plugged into the Arduino Mega 2560 R3. This facilitates fluid communication between the three components. Now you can control your devices and relays.
This option lets you modify the code at any point, even when you add new devices to the robot. It's perfect for robots whose uses change frequently, or for those in educational settings. Often, a simple numeric change can alter speed and control, flow and distance or checking. On the other hand, though, users with more advanced programming experience can make more intricate changes. We leave comments in the code to help you through, and the Arduino community is also available to fresh Arduino users. Start here.

Cameras

For those that want cameras, we have the Etrovision Video Server that allows you to connect and stream any standard RCA Camera. The Etrovision just plugs into the back of the Ethernet bridge/router and you can then access and control the cameras from the wireless network or Internet. IP cameras are available for our standard WiFi robots. We also offer custom camera systems with a pan and tilt that is controlled with our WiFi Control Package (hence the gamepad controller). This package can be further upgraded by adding a 27x zoom Camera. This will allow another degree of movement as you can pan, tilt and zoom.

Two Way Audio

Two way audio is available and will enable you to send and receive audio through a web interface. This can be another feature of the Etrovision Video Server.

LED Lights Assembly

LED lights are available as chassis mounted or camera mounted. They are remotely operated from the software, allowing you to see when it's dark. These LEDs are very low power, while still providing a large amount of light. This can be very helpful for night operation.

Pan and Tilt Camera

Our standard pan and tilt system can pan a full 360 degrees and tilt around 50 degrees. This movement is controlled by two servos which are powered by the voltage regulators included with both Wi-Fi packages. Either of our cameras can be mounted to this pan and tilt system.

Another option you can select is our dome camera option. This has a built in pan and tilt system with a protective dome. Most of our dome cameras communicate through RS45 which can be configured on your control board though your order.

This is our standard WiFi Controlled Mobile Robot with PTZ Dome Camera Kit.

Choosing Between a Router or Bridge

There are two networking options available for our WiFi robots. The standard router option provides a simple solution to get you up and running in no time and with little to no IT experience. This will allow your robot to create and move around a wireless network that you and other wireless devices can connect to.

The bridge option allows your robot to act as an extension of an existing WiFi infrastructure. Bridge equipped robots also come with the added bonus of being able to be remote controlled from anywhere with access to the internet. Coupled with the Two-Way Audio option described below it can serve as a basic and robust Remote Prescience option.
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We offer both a Linksys Wireless Bridge and a TP-Link Wireless Router.

How to Build a WiFi Robot - An example of configuring a WiFi controlled robot

Step 1: Set up the wireless bridge (or router)

a. Each WiFi robot comes with a CD that helps you get things going. Its up to you if you want to use a static IP or have the bridge find an available IP address on your network. This option will be presented to you when setting up the IP address of the bridge you have bridge. The benefit of using a dynamic address is that its simpler, however, you will lose the ability to access the robot from a remote location or any sort of automation. This is because without knowing exactly what IP address your robot is at on every start up, you will not know where to send commands to. When using a static IP address make sure that it does not conflict with an existing IP on your WiFi Network.

b. If you are using the router option then you simply need to connect to the robots router through Ethernet, to set it up. After it is configured, it is as easy as plugging in your components and mounting it on the robot.

Step 2: Set up the iPocket (ethernet to serial converter)

In most cases you will not need to adjust the settings of the equipped iPocket. However, if it is desired to change the IP range of the equipped router (or when configuring the bridge to your network) you can access the iPockets settings by using a USB to serial cable and a terminal program such as HyperTerminal or PuTTY.. It is recommended to have your computer set to a static IP address when doing so. The default settings for the iPocket is included in the provided CD. Please refer to the iPockets manual for further details.

Step 3: Enter IP Address of iPocket

Our .NET Control Program is capable of talking directly to the iPocket. All you need to do is enter the IP address of the iPocket into the settings form and connect.

Another method is to set up the device as a serial port using programs such this freeware HW VSP. Once its set up you should be able to open up that COM port in HyperTerminal or PuTTY. Then plug the RS232 from the iPocket232 into your computer or another computer on the network and open up another instance of HyperTerminal using your RS232 Com Port.

Step 4: Plug the Etrovision server into your network

Its best to connect directly to your router here, you can test it through the wireless bridge in the steps below. Setup the EtroVision. The software disc that comes with the Etrovision will auto detect the camera. It is recommended you use a static IP address here so you do not have to keep looking for it each time the robot powers up. If you use a static, make sure you do not overlap with any address on your network. Keep in mind, this is your local network typically 192.168.xxx.xxx. When you type in the IP address you should get the server main page. After setting a static IP address, you can go to that address on any Internet Browser to have access to advance settings. Refer to their manual for more detail.

Step 5: Hooking in to the bridge (or router)

Now all your needed devices are set up, unplug them from the network and plug them into the wireless bridge. They should work just the same as they did when plugged into your wired network, only they will be getting routed through your wireless bridge and the activity lights on you bridge will start blinking etc. Of course, you will have run the desired power to each of your devices, so it may be able to move around without being constricted by wires.

Step 6: Completing the setup

When your robot is powered on the wireless bridge will take several seconds to boot up and connect to the network. You now have a mobile platform set up to run on you wireless network. If using using our Wi-Fi control package and out custom pan and tilt with an standard camera, both the robot and the camera will be controlled with the gamepad or mouse using our custom PC interface program.

Additional Resources

This is a custom heavy duty 4WD All Terrain Robot set up to run wirelessly using WiFi. The Wireless Bridge is mounted on a plate on top of the batteries, all the controls are mounted under it. There is no IP camera on this.

This is our standard 4WD WiFi controlled IG42 ATR Kit. You can purchase this kit from our online store.

Underneath our 4WD WiFi Robot Kit

Controlling a WiFi Robot

The Wi-Fi control package interface program utilizes a .NET program in which we provide the source code. The program will control and monitor the robot via a RS232 or Network Port Connection. The control program interfaces with a custom control board that is programmed to match your robot's specifics such as motor controllers, encoders, sensors, relays, current monitoring, voltages, etc.

The typical controls are...

Driver Controls

Right Shoulder

Hold to enable drive

Right Joystick

Robot Drive. Push forward to go forward, reverse to go reverse. Pushing left and right as pushing forward and reverse will steer the robot.

Back

Toggles the robot between half speed and full speed.

Camera Controls

Left Shoulder

Hold to enable Camera Controls

D-Pad (Up/Down)

Incrementally change the position of the cameras tilt.

D-Pad (Left/Right)

Incrementally change the position of the cameras pan.

Left Joystick

Tilt the camera while the left shoulder button is held down.

Auxillary Controls

Button X (Blue)

Relay 1 on and off

Button A (Green)

Relay 2 on and off

Button B (Red)

Relay 3 on and off

Button Y (Yellow)

Relay 4 on and off

Logitech Gamepad
This is the game controller we offer with many of our WiFi Robot packages. The controls (to the left) are based on this gamepad's configuration.