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MAXIE

MAXIE is an implementation based on the MAX 97 mobile platform make by ZAGROS ROBOTICS.  The basic unit is a square platform on two driving wheels with two motors.   A motor control circuit is provided.  This motor control circuit can be controlled by any type of logic device.  ZAGROS ROBOTICS does sell a computer type controller but that option was not purchased.   It was very easy to interface this motor controller to a Stamp 2 controller or any other controller.

Initially a remote control IR unit was use to generate the commands to send to the controller chip.  These being the basic commands:

                                                   Forward

                                                   Backward

                                                   Left

                                                   Right

This was like playing with remote cars, etc.  This only had a certain amount of usefulness.  This led to the investigation of other methods of  controls.   While this lead to many possibilities, using voice and somekind of sensors were the areas determined for further investigation.  The use of voice led to several possible implements and in a similar manner there are many different sensors that could be investigated.

Three types of voice recognition were invested.  These are or will be covered in more detail in the sensor area of this web site.  Two were hardware implementation and the the third was software interface to the PC sound board.  For reasons covered in the sensors web pages,  the Sensory VOICE DIRECT hardware implementation was chosen for further investigation.  The VOICE DIRECT board operates in two mode.

This first mode - the STAND ALONE mode - was chosen for the initial MAXIE implementation.  This was very easy to interface to the STAMP2.  This requires User inter-action but for prototype purposes this is no problem.  Work is continuing to evaluate the VOICE DIRECT Hardware under direct control of a some kind of controller.  The STAND ALONE mode does allow for voice control of the Unit.  But the controlling voice commands must be spoken into the voice direct microphone and the controlling implementation requires the toggling of a switch.  The toggling of switches are required for both training and recognition .    

The second mode, the SLAVE mode, in presently being investigated.  This allows for computer control of the Voice Direct UNIT using a command type language in a 3 wire serial interface.

The second method of control is using the Poloariod Ultrasonic Ranging System.   These units are use to determine distance between the transducer and an line of slight object.  This allows for the Maxie Unit to be able to sense objects and move before contact with the object.  The Poloariod units have been incorporated in MAXIE and interfaced to the STAMP 2 type controller.  

The third method is the RC Systems Voice Synthesizer which has been incorporate in the Unit.  This Unit has been interfaced with the STAMP type controller and with the Handy Board.  The Unit is presently being interfaced to a STAMP 2 in the Maxie Unit.

The Unit requires at the present time - three voltages - 12, 5, and 9 volts.   The 12 volts is supplied by battery and the 12 volts is the input to a 5V DC-DC convertor and a 9V DC-DC convertor.  Therefore, only one battery is required.

The Unit has been implemented using two STAMP 2 controllers.  Investigation is being done on the use of other controllers as specified in the micro-controller pages.  Marvin Green's ROBOT FRAME is being used as a moveable dome on top of the Unit.  Movement is provided by the LYNXMOTION MACRO MOUSE.  This has been interface to another STAMP controller.

Again, STAMP type controller have been mainly used due to the fact they are  a very simple and easy to interface.  Work is progressing in the investigation of using more complex controllers.