Thread: Servo Control

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Hello, does anyone know of a good controller for controlling 8 or less servos that will trigger using a motion sensor? I am working on an animated talking bucky and would like him to be motion activated. Thank you, HH

The best choices for a controller are either serial (www.lynxmotion.com/Category.aspx?CategoryID=52) or parallel www.parallax.com/ProductInfo/Microcontrollers/tabid/121/Default.aspx) port based. The Lynx board can run up to 32 servos, the Parallax I think just 8. As to triggering the servos, motion sensors(like security lights) can be used with a solid-state relay to apply power to a board, but then if you need to use something to run the jaw.. VSA (www.brookshiresoftware.com) is what most people use to run their skulls, I'm not sure how you could use the sensor to trigger VSA to run the routine tho.

Hope this little helps..

TJ

The Parallax can run 16 servos...just thought I'd throw that in.

Thanks Doc, couldnt remember if it was 8 or 16..

No worries...about hacking a motion sensor to trigger VSA, you can use my and Zeenons keyboard hack..
VSA Keyboard Hack
Just wire the sensor to it and off you go.

If you dont want to have a computer there you could also buy Brookshire's (creators of VSA) RAPU unit... its 300 though, but allows you to run a vsa routine with no computer, but you would still need to have the proper controller board and audio on top of this. I will try to find the link for you when I get some time.

I've heard mixed reviews about the RAPU, crashes and such, but yes, it's a great alternative if it works for you.
here's the link:
http://brookshiresoftware.com/rapu3_overview.htm

ALso, check out Skulltronix.com they have the Exorcist and Board of chuckie that can remotley control/trigger servos and VSA.

There is a new servo controller now available thats worth considering,the SkullTroniX BoC

The BoC is different from the SSCs in that its a DMX servo board and it contains the electronics for SkullTroniXs colour changing eyes, comes with two RGB LEDs, and can control 16 servo channels.

It also contains a lot of hard learnt lessons, things like the ability to set solid limits to your servo motions, no more burnt out servos because you accidentally crashed your skulls limits of motions, you just tell teh BoC what the limits are and it will protect your servos.

The advantages of DMX are that you could link up to 20 on a single cable all controlled from a central source, or you could mix-n-match Servo control boards with DMX lighting nad effects machinery


more info available at www.skulltronix.com

Yea...what he said.