Wireless Gesture Controlled Robot

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Contributors: bboyho
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Introduction

Control the RedBot wirelessly based on the movement of your hand using an accelerometer and XBees!

Full Demo

Required Materials

To follow along with this tutorial, you will need the following materials. You may not need everything though depending on what you have. Add it to your cart, read through the guide, and adjust the cart as necessary.

Tools

You will need wire, wire strippers, a soldering iron, solder, and general soldering accessories.

Hook-Up Wire - Assortment (Solid Core, 22 AWG)

Hook-Up Wire - Assortment (Solid Core, 22 AWG)

PRT-11367
$21.50
37
Soldering Iron - 60W (Adjustable Temperature)

Soldering Iron - 60W (Adjustable Temperature)

TOL-14456
$16.50
16
Solder Lead Free - 15-gram Tube

Solder Lead Free - 15-gram Tube

TOL-09163
$3.95
4

Wire Strippers - 20-30AWG

TOL-14763
3 Retired

You Will Also Need

  • Glove
  • Scissors
  • Non-Conductive Thread

Suggested Reading

If you aren’t familiar with the following concepts, we recommend checking out these tutorials before continuing. This tutorial continues on from the Wireless Glove Controller and Wireless RC Robot with Arduino and XBees tutorials. Make sure to check through guides.

Wireless Glove Controller

April 24, 2019

Build a wireless glove controller with Arduinos to trigger an LED using XBees!

Wireless RC Robot with Arduino and XBees

March 12, 2019

In this tutorial, we will expand on the SIK for RedBot to control the robot wirelessly with XBee radios! We'll explore a different microcontroller and wirelessly control the RedBot at a distance.

Accelerometer Basics

A quick introduction to accelerometers, how they work, and why they're used.

XBee Shield Hookup Guide

How to get started with an XBee Shield and Explorer. Create a remote-control Arduino!

Assembly Guide for RedBot with Shadow Chassis

Assembly Guide for the RedBot Kit. This tutorial includes extra parts to follow to go along with the RedBot Inventor's Kit tutorial.

Exploring XBees and XCTU

How to set up an XBee using your computer, the X-CTU software, and an XBee Explorer interface board.

Experiment Guide for RedBot with Shadow Chassis

This Experiment Guide offers nine experiments to get you started with the SparkFun RedBot. This guide is designed for those who are familiar with our SparkFun Inventor's Kit and want to take their robotics knowledge to the next level.

Understanding Your Circuit

Wireless Glove Controller

The connection for this project should be the same as the initial circuit. The only differences are the connections for the accelerometer and analog reference pin as shown in the diagram below.

Wireless Gesture Controller Circuit Diagram

Analog Accelerometer

Since the ADXL335 requires 3.3V, we'll need to connect the VCC pin to 3.3V. To complete the connection for power, you will need to connect GND to GND. Then for the x, y, and z pins, you'll need to connect them to pin 2, 1, and 0, respectively.

Configuring AREF

Since the ADXL335 is 3.3V, we'll need to connect the Arduino's AREF pin to the 3.3V pin. This will configure the reference voltage used for the analog output from the accelerometer. As a result, we can measure smaller voltages (i.e. your 3.3V output) with the best resolution on a 5V Arduino.

Assembled Shadow Chassis

We'll assume that you have a fully assembled robot with the Shadow Chassis.

Assembly Guide for RedBot with Shadow Chassis

May 28, 2015

Assembly Guide for the RedBot Kit. This tutorial includes extra parts to follow to go along with the RedBot Inventor's Kit tutorial.

Hardware Hookup

Modify the XBee Shield

Adding on to the glove that was built in the Wireless Glove Controller tutorial, remove the tape and disconnect the braided wire from the shield. Then pull the XBee shield off the RedBoard.

Top View v1 Glove

Using the circuit diagram with the accelerometer, solder the ADXL335 breakout board to the shield. In this case, female headers were used with male headers soldered on the breakout. Then strip solid core, hook-up wire and solder them between the pins. If you are following along, your board should look similar to the images below. When you are ready, stack the board back on top of the RedBoard and secure the battery.

Top View of Components Soldered on XBee Shield Bottom View with Wires and Jumpers
Top View of Components Soldered on XBee Shield Bottom View with Wires and Jumpers

Configuring XBees

To configure the XBees, we will be using the XBee Series 1 firmware. It is recommended to configure each XBee using the XBee Explorer USB.

XBee Inseted int XBee Explorer USB to Configure

If you have not already, check out the Starting with XCTU section under Exploring XBees and XCTU to configure your XBees.

Exploring XBees and XCTU

March 12, 2015

How to set up an XBee using your computer, the X-CTU software, and an XBee Explorer interface board.

Point-to-Point Configuration

For simplicity, we will be sending commands with the XBees in transparent mode set for a point-to-point configuration. Make sure to configure each XBee with a unique MY address if there are more than two XBees in your CH and PAN ID. You will then need to adjust the DL address for each respective XBee.

SettingAcronymTransmitting XBee Node 1
(Wireless Glove Controller)
Receiving XBee Node 2
(Robot)
ChannelCHCC
PAN IDID33333333
Destination Address HighDH00
Destination Address LowDL10
16-bit Source AddressMY01

Setting Up Arduino

Note: This example assumes you are using the latest version of the Arduino IDE on your desktop. If this is your first time using Arduino, please review our tutorial on installing the Arduino IDE.

RedBot Mainboard

FTDI Drivers

Remember, to program your robot, you will first need to install some FTDI drivers. Follow the steps in How to Install FTDI Drivers to do so. This is also explained in the RedBot Guides.

How to Install FTDI Drivers

June 4, 2013

How to install drivers for the FTDI Basic on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.

Arduino Library

Note: If you have not previously installed an Arduino library, please check out our installation guide.

Make sure to install the RedBot library as explained in the RedBot Library Quick Reference. You'll also find the quick overview of the RedBot Library, classes, methods, and variables.


Example

Wireless Glove Code

In this part of the example, we'll have the glove send a character when the thumb and middle finger make contact. As long as the two fingers have contact, the robot will move forward, forward-left, back, or forward -right based on the orientation of your hand. When the custom button is not pressed, the buzzer will make a familiar 8-bit sound when waving your hand or "jabbing" the air. The RGB LED will light up based on the mode and orientation of the hand.

Copy the code, paste it into the Arduino IDE, select your board (Arduino/Genuino Uno), and COM port. Then upload the code to the glove.

language:c
// We'll use SoftwareSerial to communicate with the XBee:

#include <SoftwareSerial.h>

//For Atmega328P's
// XBee's DOUT (TX) is connected to pin 2 (Arduino's Software RX)
// XBee's DIN (RX) is connected to pin 3 (Arduino's Software TX)
SoftwareSerial XBee(2, 3); // RX, TX

//For Atmega2560, ATmega32U4, etc.
// XBee's DOUT (TX) is connected to pin 10 (Arduino's Software RX)
// XBee's DIN (RX) is connected to pin 11 (Arduino's Software TX)
//SoftwareSerial XBee(10, 11); // RX, TX

//set analog read pins
const int xPin = 2;//x=A2
const int yPin = 1;//y=A1
const int zPin = 0;//z=A0

//read the analog values from the accelerometer
int xRead = analogRead(xPin);
int yRead = analogRead(yPin);
int zRead = analogRead(zPin);

//LED Status Indicator
int ledR = 5;//hardware PWM
int ledG = 6;//hardware PWM
int ledB = 9; //hardware PWM

//Accelerate Button
#define ACCELERATE_BUTTON 4 // Pin used for accelerate button
const int ledPin1 = 13;  //LED on the push button

boolean current_buttonACCELERATE_State;

void setup() {
  // initialize the digital pins as an output for LEDs
  pinMode(ledPin1, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(ledR, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(ledG, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(ledB, OUTPUT);

  analogReference(EXTERNAL);//reference 3.3V since using 3.3V accelerometer

  pinMode(ACCELERATE_BUTTON, INPUT_PULLUP); // Enable pullup resistor for accelerate button D2

  // Set up both ports at 9600 baud. This value is most important
  // for the XBee. Make sure the baud rate matches the config
  // setting of your XBee.
  XBee.begin(9600);

  for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++) {
    digitalWrite(ledPin1, HIGH);
    delay(50);
    digitalWrite(ledPin1, LOW);
    delay(50);
  }
  sequenceTest();//visually initialization

  Serial.begin(9600);
  Serial.println("Wireless XBee Glove Controller Initialized");
}

void loop() {

  current_buttonACCELERATE_State = digitalRead(ACCELERATE_BUTTON);


  //Read accelerometer axes using through the ADC
  //Note: Check description at top for results based on Accelerometer Mode's Features
  xRead = analogRead(xPin);
  Serial.print("Analog xPin (A2) = ");
  Serial.println(xRead);
  yRead = analogRead(yPin);
  Serial.print("Analog yPin (A1) = ");
  Serial.println(yRead);
  zRead = analogRead(zPin);
  Serial.print("Analog zPin (A2) = ");
  Serial.println(zRead);
  Serial.println("");
  //delay(500); //slow down the print to read, adjust as necessary for testing

  if (current_buttonACCELERATE_State == LOW) {
    if (xRead < 430) {
      Serial.print("Drive Forward, xRead = ");
      Serial.println(xRead);
      Serial.println('A');

      XBee.write('A');
      greenON();
    }
    else if (xRead > 590) {
      Serial.print("Drive Backward, xRead = ");
      Serial.println(xRead);
      Serial.println('C');

      XBee.write('C');
      blueON();
    }
    else if (yRead > 590) {
      Serial.print("Drive Forward Right, yRead = ");
      Serial.println(yRead);
      Serial.println('B');

      XBee.write('B');
      cyanON();
    }
    else if (yRead < 430) {
      Serial.print("Drive Forward Left, yRead = ");
      Serial.println(yRead);
      Serial.println('D');

      XBee.write('D');
      cyanON();
    }
    else {
      Serial.println("Coast");
      Serial.println('J');

      XBee.write('J');
      magentaON();
    }

  }
  else {
    if (xRead > 670) {

      Serial.println("Coin Sound, xRead = ");
      Serial.println(xRead);
      Serial.println('X');

      XBee.write('X');
      allOFF();
      delay(50);
      yellowON();
      delay(50);
    }
    if (zRead < 400) {

      Serial.println("Fireball Sound, zRead = ");
      Serial.println(zRead);
      Serial.println('Y');

      XBee.write('Y');
      redON();
      delay(50);
      allOFF();
      delay(50);
      redON();
      delay(50);
      allOFF();
      delay(50);

    }
    else {
      Serial.println("Stop");
      Serial.println('K');

      XBee.write('K');
      redON();
      delay(750);
    }
  }

  //show that we are sending a character
  digitalWrite(ledPin1, HIGH);
  delay(50);
  digitalWrite(ledPin1, LOW);
  delay(50);
}//end loop

void allOFF() {
  analogWrite(ledR, 0);
  analogWrite(ledG, 0);
  analogWrite(ledB, 0);
}

void allON() {
  analogWrite(ledR, 150);
  analogWrite(ledG, 255);
  analogWrite(ledB, 255);
}

void redON() {
  analogWrite(ledR, 255);
  analogWrite(ledG, 0);
  analogWrite(ledB, 0);
}

void magentaON() {
  analogWrite(ledR, 150);
  analogWrite(ledG, 0);
  analogWrite(ledB, 255);
}

void blueON() {
  analogWrite(ledR, 0);
  analogWrite(ledG, 0);
  analogWrite(ledB, 255);
}

void cyanON() {
  analogWrite(ledR, 0);
  analogWrite(ledG, 255);
  analogWrite(ledB, 255);
}

void greenON() {
  analogWrite(ledR, 0);
  analogWrite(ledG, 255);
  analogWrite(ledB, 0);
}

void yellowON() {
  analogWrite(ledR, 150);
  analogWrite(ledG, 255);
  analogWrite(ledB, 0);
}

void sequenceTest() {
  redON();
  delay(50);
  magentaON();
  delay(50);
  blueON();
  delay(50);
  cyanON();
  delay(50);
  greenON();
  delay(50);
  yellowON();
  delay(50);
  allON();
  delay(50);
  allOFF();
  delay(50);
}

Receiving XBee Robot Code

The commands to control the RedBot should be the same code that was used in the last example of the Wireless RC Robot with Arduino and XBees tutorial. Head over to Experiment 4.2: Adding Audio with the ATmega328P to upload code to the RedBot mainboard if you have not already.

What You Should See

After uploading, touch the metal snap pins between your thumb and middle finger to move the robot forward-left, forward, forward-right, or backward. The RGB LED will light up based on the orientation of your hand. Separate your fingers and punch the air as if there is a question mark block above you to hear coin sound effect! Wave your hand to see if you can make a fireball sound effect!

Full Demo of Glove Controlling Robot

Resources and Going Further

Need some inspiration for your next project? Check out some of these related tutorials to add more functionality for your wireless glove!

Flex Sensor Hookup Guide

An overview of the flex sensor - a bendable variable resistor. Plus, example circuits and Arduino code to get you started!

LilyPad Vibe Board Hookup Guide

The LilyPad Vibe Board is a small vibration motor that can be sewn into projects with conductive thread and controlled by a LilyPad Arduino. The board can be used as a physical indicator on clothing and costumes for haptic feedback.

Qwiic Flex Glove Controller Hookup Guide

Is your finger bent? Is your finger straight? The Qwiic Flex Glove controller board will answer this age old question for you with the flex sensor!