Remote Controlled Vehicle

 		created:23 May 2009 @ 01:13 pm
edited:07 Oct 2009 @ 08:49 am
NOTE: These are just ideas at the moment. If you think things need changing, please feel free to contact me!
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View Gallery Alone This year I am on placement! Working a 12 month contract with William Data Systems.

I have always wanted to own a remote control car, and now with the knowledge I have gained from Uni and life, I think I'm ready to own one. I don't want a pre-built car, building the thing is half the fun! I want it to be big, fast and durable - a car that enjoys running full pace off road and on road.
But a normal remote control car is boring!... Once it's built you just have driving and maintenance.

How about a car that after building I can add bits on. My own telemetry for example. GPS and digital compass to pinpoint the car's real location, speed and heading. Sensors that can tell when the car has come to rest upside down, and shut off the motor. Steering and throttle correction for the loose or slippery surfaces. The list goes on...

I have so many ideas, that I want to use here, and a whole year to do something with them!



Lets get dug in!

Whats So Special?

Color Key

Necessary Optional TEMPTING! Already own Specifications Cost (£ GBP p&p) Bonus Stuff!

The Bits

  • The Car
    • HPI Baja 5b SS [link] ~£750-£1000
      • I would LOVE this, it even looks like there is space to put my bits and pieces!
      Unfortunately its only 2WD and really quite expensive... :(       Show/Hide
      • Extras
        • Of course these will be color coordinated... If I can get my hands on a black and purple (rather than orange) kit that would be great!
      • A processor!
        • The processor needs to be able to provide a number of PWM outputs to control servos / motors and communicate with the selected telemetry device(s)
        • MSP430
        • Arduino Nano [link] ~£36
          • Tiny footprint, easily programmable, self-regulated Vin, 6 PWM outputs Show/Hide
      • Power
        • If I use a fuel engine, then the power is purely for the onboard electronics and control
        • LiPo
          • New technology, I need to do more reading but looks very promising
        • LiIon
        • NiCd
        • NiMh
      • Sensors
        • This an extension to the project. Each bit will probrably come along seperately
        • GPS
          • Possible to follow a known course etc
        • Electronic compass
          • Unlike GPS, you don't need to move in order to find out which direction you are facing
        • Accelerometers
          • Sense if the vehicle is upside down or on a steep slow and about to fall over etc...
        • Gyros
          • Sense unwanted turning to tipping
        • Proximity
          • Sense obstacles nearby
      • Feedback
        • Camera
          • Allow for out of sight control / monitoring
        • Microphone
          • Bit silly really... but it could be useful
  • The Controller / base station
    • TS-7300 [link] ~£135
      • Control the vehicle, provide 2 way communications, etc... Show/Hide
      • TS-7300-64 ~£10
        • 64 MB RAM upgrade
      • OP-BBRTC ~£6
        • Battery Backed RTC
      • OP-TMPSENSE ~£2
        • Temperature Sensor
      • KIT-7300 ~£60
        • Development Kit
      • LCD-LED ~£25
        • 2x24 Backlit LCD
      • KPAD ~£18
        • 4x4 Matrix Keypad
      • TS-ENC730 [link] ~£100
        • An enclosure for the TS-7300, that provides a regulated 5v rail, serial headers and extra I/O
      • TS-RF2-ZIGBEE [link] ~£60
        • Zigbee interface card for the TS-7300
    • Xbox 360 controller [link] ~£18
      • Allow the user direct control of the vehicle, steering, speed, etc... Show/Hide
    • Power
      • The TS-7300 in its enclosure takes 8-28v
      • LiPo
        • New technology, I need to do more reading but looks very promising
      • LiIon
      • NiCd
      • NiMh
  • Telemetry