Robot Control Suite

What I am tentatively calling the Robot Control Suite (contact me if you can think of a better name) will be a group of software modules that will work closely together. Utilizing this software package, the hobbyists robotics community will be able to test and control their robots with an intuitive, customizable GUI. Because the entire control suite is modular, the user will be able to use the same back end code to control their robots autonomously. Also, the software will be able to communicate with servos and sensors on virtually any medium. Currently, only serial communication with the LynxMotion SSC-32 servo controller is supported, but support for the OpenServo and I2C protocols is planned as well.

Click on the image below to see an early screenshot of the current GUI. On the left is the default control panel, modeled after the LynxTerm program, and on the right is the "easy" mode symmetric hexapod control sequencer.

If you have any bug reports or feature requests, contact me by e-mailing Mike @ this domain, or by posting to this thread.

The RCS is currently in a very early beta status. It is not yet available for download. I will release a public beta when I add a few more features (namely macro support and customizable GUI).

Current Features:

• It is pretty much a direct port of the LynxTerm program available here, with the following differences:
  • Features that I have not yet implemented:
    • Ability to read VA-VD
    • Ability to perform the query position (QP) command
    • Ability to update the SSC-32 firmware
    • Macro support
    • Hex-12 sequencer
    • Ability to change font options (may not implement)
  • Features that I probably will not implement (unless specifically requested):
    • Ability to setup the port or the terminal (not really necessary, and somewhat redundant)
  • Features this program has that the Windows version does not:
    • Slider resize is implemented better in the Java version
    • Terminal window is disabled when the SSC-32 is not connected
    • Very minor interface differences

Planned Features:

Planned Features:

• Macro support (more robust than currently available, able to call one macro from within others, repeat, etc)
• Fully customizable GUI. Users will be able to create servo groups that are inter-related in complex ways, thus making testing of complex multi leg moves controllable with only a few sliders.
• Sequencers for the H3R and all other LynxMotion robot kits
• Support for servos on the I2C bus (such as those at www.OpenServo.com)
• "Simple" and "Detailed" sequencer displays
• Option to switch between various user interface styles (current style and application specific style- the application specific style will have pre-made setups for all LynxMotion robot kits, and others, if requested).
• Sensor feedback will be supported
  • IR
  • Sonar
  • Pressure
  • Digital Servos
  • Video?
  • Sound?
• I will eventually integrate the RCK into the RCS, so that users will be able to see what their robot is doing in 3d. This will allow for a much more intuitive remote operation capability. In combination with sensor data, the user will be able to remotely see, in full 3d, everything the robot sees and does.
• Anything else that users request.

Known Bugs:

• Currently the only known bug is that the Java program cannot read any data from the SSC-32. Once I get that issue sorted out, the first two items from the list above will be fixed.