For Autonomous Operation

[Leo LIU YUNXIANG]

Hi all,

I'd like to ask you a question about oculus. Is it programmable for us to convert it into an autonomous robot, i.e. that it could automatically operate itself without a human operation? 

[XaxxonColin]

Hi,

Yes, there are 3 approaches to programming Oculus yourself:

1. Extend the Oculus-Java software, enabling you to modify its built in functions, or modify your own.  A guide to getting started in Eclipse is here: http://code.google.com/p/oculus/wiki/Creating_java_project_in_eclipse

2. Interact with Oculus-Java thru 'command manager' socket connection interface, send text commands and receive responses, from almost any programming language (this is a quicker approach to getting started programming Oculus, compared to wrapping your brain around Oculus-Java right away).  A list of text commands is here: http://www.xaxxon.com/docs/view?f=oculus_text_commands

Official documentation on this interface is still in the works, but some info is here and here

3. Run RoboRealm on the robot, instead of Oculus-Java, using the Oculus Module included with purchase of RoboRealm. A free trial download is available, and Xaxxon offers a discount on RoboRealm if purchased with an Oculus kit.  RR is an excellent computer vision toolkit, with a powerful scripting language, allowing more autonomous functions for Oculus than Xaxxon's Oculus-Java software.

[Leo LIU YUNXIANG]

Thanks for your response. So It means I could also modify the auto-docking code or make a new code for auto-navigation? Please confirm that it could be programmed for auto-navigation (which I want for oculus).

[Sellec]

Leo, Oculus is a simple platform based on Arduino Diemelanovie (named Arduinoculus). You can work with this device like with any Arduino devices - write your firmware, use IO pins and other...

Becouse of this, you can modify java software too and make it more clever and nice.

[Leo LIU YUNXIANG]

Got it! Thanks for your kindly response. I really appreciate it! 

[XaxxonColin]

Thanks @Sellec for the reminder! Interfacing with the arduino directly is the simplest approach to control/program Oculus

Source code for the firmware that comes pre-loaded on it is here:

http://code.google.com/p/oculus/source/browse/trunk/sketchbook/oculusDC/oculusDC.pde

There are just a few simple commands, for controlling motors and mirror tilt servo

You can extend/reprogram it if needed it with the Arduino IDE, choosing 'Duemillenove' as board type