New NXT Sensors and interfaces

[mattallen37]

I'm looking for NXT sensor ideas. I already have several things in mind, but I would like to know what you all are thinking about. Are there any sensors that you feel are missing? What about controllers (like motor controllers)? What about interfaces, so that the NXT can communicate with other devices?

I'm just looking for some thought provoking ideas.

[loopymech]

How about an x10 interface and some home automation widgets? I haven't researched it at all, so I'm not sure what's feasible. Could be a good challenge and some fun, tho.

-Loopy

[mattallen37]

I just read a little about it, and it sounds very interesting. However, for the time being, I would prefer to steer clear of mains voltage. I will definitely keep this in mind as a possible future project though.

[mightor]

Why not make a board that allows you to interface with the Dynamixel servos They're not like normal servos, they are digital and can be daisy chained. Pricey but super accurate.

- Xander

[mattallen37]

Thanks for the ideas.

If anyone has any more ideas, please share them

[HaWe]

not sure if you actually want to read it...

20x touch multiplexer
8x analog multiplexer 16bit ADC (for changes of voltage (0-12V) and/or resistance (0-20kOhm) )
8x i2c multiplexer (for i2c read/write)
8x NXT motor multiplexer (incl. encoder reading)
each one with switchable rs485/i2c interface to NXT, daisy-chainable to each other via rs485 or i2c (by dip switches or jumper)

:D

[mattallen37]

Well, thank you for the ideas.

[HaWe]

ok, here's another one:
integrated compass, gyro, and accelerometer
with hardware-integrated Kalman or Monte-Carlo-Filter to reduce drift and noise;
hardware-integrated calculation: output vector[9] of
3D angle heading (roll, pitch and yaw),
3D speed,
and 3D location

and even 1 more:
navigation/bearing system
based on 4 ultrasonic senders
mounted "+" shaped (about 1m diameter, from one end to the other)
NXT sends IR request to one US sender after the other
NXT measures runtimes of the returned US impulses
calculation of the relative position out of runtime differences of all 4 running times
:D

[mattallen37]

Very interesting ideas, to say the least! I've added them to my idea list.

[HaWe]

apppreciated!
want to read more?

US based positioning:
http://jufo.grundeis.net/gps/files/robo ... t.2002.pdf
wifi base positioning:
http://www.magicmap.de/
http://lifc.univ-fcomte.fr/~publis/pape ... 011-06.pdf