Author Archives: Skye Sweeney

Pololu MinIMU-9 V2 integration

I purchased the Pololu IMU and integrated it into the robot over the last few days. I was able to get the magnetometer and the accelerometers to work quickly with the supplied code. But I had issues with the gyro. … Continue reading

Posted in AVC, Projects | 3 Comments

Progress

Last week I got called out of town and did not have a chance to work with the parts that have started to come in. Today I caught up on my sleep (I had 16 hours in the last 3 … Continue reading

Posted in AVC, Projects | Comments Off on Progress

My first sponsor: Vectronix

In my work I have been using a Vectronix Digital Magnetic Compass (DMC) for several years. We choose this component for our project because it was widely recognized as the best magnetic system in the world. Fully calibrated in a … Continue reading

Posted in AVC, Projects, Vectronix DMC | Comments Off on My first sponsor: Vectronix

Trying to program an ARM processor with a free toolchain

So after just a few days of using an Arduino for my AVC entry, I realize that it will just not be up to the task. First it does not provide an realtime multithreaded environment. The environment is slow, and … Continue reading

Posted in ARM, AVC, Processors, Projects | 2 Comments

AVC update

Started to order parts. First thing will have to be a new RC TX/RX with a third channel to control a Pololu servo mux. With this I will be able to have the processor or the receiver have control of … Continue reading

Posted in AVC, Projects | Comments Off on AVC update

Back!

My son’s surgery went very well. He is recovering nicely at home. He is doing well enough that we actually worked together on the AVC entry. Even with his jaw wired closed, he was a great help.

Posted in Arduino, AVC, Processors, Projects | Comments Off on Back!

Offline for a while

I have not been posting recently nor do I expect to be active for the next few weeks. My son had a significant surgery last week. The procedure went very well, but he has a long recovery ahead of him. … Continue reading

Posted in AVC, Personal, Projects | Comments Off on Offline for a while

AVC obstacle avoidance

The SparkFun AVC competition requires that the robot avoid obstacles placed in its way. These take the form of red 55 gallon drums. So if it was not hard enough to navigate around the building, trying to avoid the barrels … Continue reading

Posted in AVC, Projects | Comments Off on AVC obstacle avoidance

AVC platform tests

Today it stopped raining enough I was able to get the RC car outdoor to run. I was able to clock the car at 18 MPH. Fast enough to win at last year’s AVC, but not likely for 2012 and … Continue reading

Posted in AVC, Projects | Comments Off on AVC platform tests

AVC platform body

I have had my eye on Craig’s List for severl months looking for a 1/10 scale RC car to use as the chassis for my 2013 AVC robot. Just recently a Traxxis Rustler came up for a reasonable price. Although … Continue reading

Posted in AVC, Projects | Comments Off on AVC platform body