duino Hackers I’ve been lurking in the electronics tweaking realm for roughly 8-9 years, and lately have taken the plunge to build more than a basic trip PIR camera trigger using the arduino as the base.
I’ll present my prototype concept and requirements. Then I will try to elaborate on the different needs of the design.
I’m an amateur photographer with very specific interests when it comes to automated image capturing. I’m now looking for a mobile remote control DSLR platform. I have harvested an old RC tank and numerous DC motors of various sizes.
The technical challenges are:
Control axis of 6 independent motors:
Left tread
Right tread
Turret pan left/right
Turret tilt up/down
Lens pull/push zoom (will most likely use a rail cog/gear slider for this part)
Focus motor (friction wheel on focus ring)
Optional:
Pan - light
Tilt - light
Second or original arduino alternate functions:
control camera trigger
provide usb reach back to an IPAD usb dongle or PC netbook.
The rig can have as many battery sources as needed up to two 3000mah LiPos.
It will also have a standard 2.4 GHz camera attached to the rig light for remote POV when moving the rig around.
This rig will provide remote control monitoring and photography of wildlife/oddities/abandoned structures.
Another possible option is a third attachment of stabilizer struts or possible anchor hooks with mini winches to pull the vehicle upright should it fall into a ditch or something.
This rig allows legal approaches of wildlife deemed “out of reach” for any human to approach by law.
I do have potentiometer controls pulled from RC aircraft, LEDs and motors out of tanks, planes, helicopters, etc…, and many other controls and gaming connections available for tinkering.
my main concern as stated would be controlling those 6-8 motors, the data/control links to my controller… would it be better to have an another arduino or two displaying actual video playback of the rig on the controller itself? Would this be doable?
Also, providing GPS tracking and mapping for later remote observing of said wildlife would be a bonus.
Thanks all and I’m still new to programming arduino, but I know with some help I’ll definitely pick it up with your folks help!
-Bear