August, 2011
So, I am attempting to find a good location for the master control
computer which runs the kar(s). This has been a challenge for me,
finding a good location to put this computer. The Kar needs a good
space to run. It also needs batteries, or some sort of power hookup
that I do not need to constantly run maintenance on (e.g. replace
batteries, recharge batteries, etc). It also needs to be weather-proof.
If I had my preference, the kar would be located outside.
I have gone back and forth with this technology and its challenges,
most of which are a) continuous power and b) a reliable internet
connection and c) a good location for the Kar.
Nonetheless I have not given up on the technology and am slowly
working towards putting this up in a fashion where it will work reliably.
Stay tuned....
-= Space Cowboy =-
July, 2011
The site is, quite frankly, upsetting me. The promise of a new mode
of transportation is so near, and yet so far. The time to work on this
site after what has become a body-blow to the stomach from some Ukranian
Hacker dude has proven too much for me to revamp the technology.
This requires a second hand to accomplish more progress on this project.
Good luck to those thousands (1,000's) this site has inspired!
-= SCowby =-
April, 2011
So, a few months ago some script monkey came in an took out my Master Control
computer. It, quite frankly, sucks balls. That some 15-year-old Romanian asshat
can come in and take out my entire network.
But I think about it and with all adversity comes opportunity, so maybe
this is just my opportunity to revamp this site and make it so much more
super awsomer than it was before.
Yeaa....
August, 2010
I'm thinking about building a new kar platform based on the
Tamiya Buggy Car Chassis Set.
July, 2010
So, I've decided that powering this bitch is my number one issue.
It's just a pain in the ass to have to switch out batteries every day.
SO! I'm working on a tethering system so that the kar
can remain charged until some unsuspecting user decides to drive it off,
at which point hopefully the tether will detach and the kar will have at
least 2 hours of charge to have fun with.
Right now I've tried a few charging mechanisms to see if I can get the
batteries to stay connected to the camera at the same time a wall outlet
plug is connected. Theory is, the wall plug supplies power until it's
disconnected, at which point the batteries will take over the main.
That, and I've switched out the old "powered by Vidego" logo in favor of
a friendly little penguin.
Enjoi!
April, 2010
Wow, it's been a year since I've done a major update to the site.
This has been an evolutionary journey, to say the least.
I believe the the direction going forward is to clean up the site, and focus
a little more on the technology of tele-robotics. That is the ability
to control a physical device from far away.
Ultimately I'd like to start looking into OpenCV and
figure out how I can get two kars following each other, one being
controlled remotely, and the other following the one from behind.
This could lead into all kinds of practical applications, including having
an auto-pilot car which can follow a semi-truck trailer at < 20 mph while
traffic just sits in its Quagmire-like pattern.
April, 2009
Okay, I am making a little headway on fleshing out the site. There is now
a sourceforge project that I've
gotten rolling to put some of the backend kar kontrol software on. Updates to be forthcoming!
Date Unknown, 2007
This site was originally put up as a demonstration of technology. I have always been interested
in robots, and the thought of controlling a physical device (such as a car!)
from across the planet intrigues me to no end.
Honestly I do not know the ultimate evolution of this site. Mainly I hope
to spread my technical knowledge of the subject, attract people with a similar interest,
and to foster an environment to exchange ideas. If you have a related project
or idea for the site I would like to hear from you.
Just send me some e-mail: scowby@mycamcar.com
Cheers and Enjoy!
