ShagMaster

A roving web-controlled telerobot

I built and programmed a little robot that streamed live video over the web and had a JavaScript client that could control it. It used a laptop that ran a client web service called WebBrick. I documented and distributed both the client and the server.

I used a Sony VIAO Picturebook, which has a built in camera. I also used WebCam32, an application that made the streaming video easy. I built this before 802.11 was so common, and I had to use a wireless dialup connection, so the video was pretty poor quality, but it worked.

It was, however, something of a nightmare to make it run. I had to charge everything up, and then I would have between 1 and 2 hours of run time. I would then dial in and get its server online. Then, I would always have some sort of bug that needed fixing. I could then call a friend and let them try it out for a few minutes before it would run out of juice. It then needed to go back on a bunch of charger units before I could try again. Now, I think I could make a much fancier version. I am waiting for the new Lego robot kit to try again.

Example of a web page someone made for remote controlling their Lego toy using my client/server software.

Patents

20040017937 Robot having an imaging capability

20040066457 System and method for remote controlled photography

20040179121 System and method for displaying captured images according to imaging device position