PC geek required. Especially if you know what "arduino" means

**Disco Dan** · 6th January 2013, 19:50

Well I got it sorted, apparently the two IDE programs had created their own temp folders in rather bizarre locations. Once I was able to point the programs to my own folders the problem was fixed.

Originally Posted by Zerker

oh yeah, and what does it do? my first guess was an atuo aim/kill bot for games that uses a webcam instead of reading memory space or .dll injection, then I thought it might be for an automated drone that tracks and follows objects, then I thought it was for motion activated camera that follows objects that come into view and takes stills. and now I'm not sure.

Zerker

Your warm but once first prototype is complete I may post a video

Let's just say for testing my first prototype I need someone to run about with a (small) shield in front of it and to try to stay alive. I'm waiting for a text back from Skidmark.

Originally Posted by bogan

Definitely not. Arduinos are just Atmegas in a general purpose breakout PCB, they have a dumbed down SDK which is probably what you're thinking of (which Disco is obviously not using), but I'm pretty sure it is just a library of basic C++ functions wrapped up in an easy to use interface.

There is a program that comes with it, plug the board in USB and the program converts the code and flashes the board. You can then disconnect the board and run your program without a PC.

It is primarily used by students for study as it is good for prototyping. Some boards are even used in retail items - since the boards and software is open source your allowed to write a program to the board, create the hardware (robot arm, home automation etc) and sell it as your own work.

**Disco Dan** · 6th January 2013, 20:04

I figured I would post a video of what someone else did... I'm basically building my own, it's better and I just tested it using a tennis ball - Threw tennis ball across it's field of view and it hit the ball about once every second the whole time it was flying through the air.

Now... do I give Skidmark a shield and tell him or just tell him to "meet me in a paddock somewhere"

And this one is what you can do with enough money:

**bogan** · 6th January 2013, 20:33

Originally Posted by Disco Dan

There is a program that comes with it, plug the board in USB and the program converts the code and flashes the board. You can then disconnect the board and run your program without a PC.

It is primarily used by students for study as it is good for prototyping. Some boards are even used in retail items - since the boards and software is open source your allowed to write a program to the board, create the hardware (robot arm, home automation etc) and sell it as your own work.

Bootloader by the sounds of it.

Yeh its funny how many projects go from prototype to production without a production redesign. Saving a bit of time in development tends to cost a lot more later. For example, ISP programmer (USB to SPI for 6 pin chip programming) is about 20 bucks, ATTiny through ATmegs is like 2-12 bucks depending on the flavour. 2 Layer proto boards are getting pretty cheap, like 10 setup fee plus 2.50 per sq in. And with custom pcb you won't need any breadboard breakouts etc, and can use cheaper SMT stuff. I reckon with good planning for the lead times for pcbs/components, its better in pretty much all situations if you have the skills to do it.

**Disco Dan** · 7th January 2013, 13:47

Got it all working, here is initial testing/demo:

**Disco Dan** · 7th January 2013, 13:55

Originally Posted by bogan

Bootloader by the sounds of it.

Yeh its funny how many projects go from prototype to production without a production redesign. Saving a bit of time in development tends to cost a lot more later. For example, ISP programmer (USB to SPI for 6 pin chip programming) is about 20 bucks, ATTiny through ATmegs is like 2-12 bucks depending on the flavour. 2 Layer proto boards are getting pretty cheap, like 10 setup fee plus 2.50 per sq in. And with custom pcb you won't need any breadboard breakouts etc, and can use cheaper SMT stuff. I reckon with good planning for the lead times for pcbs/components, its better in pretty much all situations if you have the skills to do it.

Just about eliminated the need for extra PCB/breadboards now. See above video - the only thing the breadboard is doing is supplying power to the three servos.

I just need to solder them together to form to bunches (+ and -) and then terminate them at a plug pack socket installed in the case. That way I just plug it in and it works.