21/06/2019
Agenda:
- Test live-streaming of camera on VNC viewer and attempt to access the live streaming of video from a webpage
- Test boost converter borrowed from Tony
- Used the previous codes on the tank chassis and check if it works
- Discuss on purchase of camera and other parts
Tasks Accomplished:
- Managed to live-stream camera using VNC viewer
- Tested and fixed a faulty boost converter
- Managed to move the tank left, right, forwards and backwards using previous codes
We borrowed a pin-hole camera from Tony previously and continued testing the live-streaming of the camera using the VNC viewer. After some time, we managed to do so but till date, we tried but have not managed to transfer the live streaming on a web page which can be access by other users and laptops. We will continue working on this next week! 💪💪💪
The boost converter did not work when we tried testing it as the input voltage and output voltage remained the same even though we adjusted the trimmers. After some investigation, we realised that one of the trimmers were faulty and luckily for us, the lab has surplus trimmers and we decided to some un-soldering and soldering to fix the step-up converter. Here are some pictures when we were soldering! Our happy faces are hidden behind the camera.
Since we had our tank chassis, we could then move on to using the code (which we tested on the car chassis previously) on the tank chassis and that was what we did. And… YES the code works on the tank! We attached the motor controller to the bottom of the chassis (tied using cable wires and insulated with paper towels for the time-being; insulation is necessary because the metal plate of the chassis is an electrical conductor; without insulation, the motor controller will be in contact with the metal plate and a short circuit may result). ✌️
(insert video)
One idea proposed during our discussion was modifying the camera such that it can pan and tilt but we decided to leave to later modifications if we have the time and money to do it but it sure would be a useful and nice touch to our robot. As for whether we are still going to buy a camera or use the pin-hole camera by Tony, we remain undecided. As much as the pin-hole camera is small and has good enough resolution, certain challenges we face is that it is not a POE camera (but we may possibly connect it to the rpi via other ways) and the approximately 1-2 seconds lag when taking the video and showing it on screen (when transceivers are used to connect the user and robot end).
Enjoy your weekends and we will work even harder next week (not forgetting to enjoy the process of course)! 💃 🕺💃 🕺