A Codebase for the Koda GRAVL Mini-platform
This package contains software and firmware specific to koda, GRAVL's miniature prototyping ground vehicle
Image 1: Koda, Iteration 0
- Dependencies: https://github.com/olinrobotics/state_controller.git
Currently, Koda has no onboard computer. The onboard microprocessor must be connected to a computer via XBee in order to send commands, as the ROScore is run offboard of the Arduino.
-
Connect an XBee radio USB breakout board to a laptop with ROS and the
crawler
repository set up. -
In a new terminal, launch a new roscore with the command
roscore
- Launch files can start their own roscore, but having a separate core ensures that your ROS instances stay connected if any nodes in the launch file crash.
-
Plug in an XBox controller, or another controller compatible with the Teleop node.. Test
-
In a new terminal, run the basic nodes required for teleoperating Koda with the command
roslaunch crawler bringup_minimal.launch port:=/dev/ttyUSB0
- The port argument represents which port the Arduino is plugged into. To determine the port, check the Arduino IDE, or run the command
ls /dev/ttyUSB*
- The default for the port argument is
/dev/ttyUSB0
- Turn on Koda's main power using the power switch.
- If Koda is E-stopped (LED is solid ON), press the EStop button or reset the Arduino onboard.
- Press the 'A' button on the XBox controller to activate the controls.
- Remove the Xbee from Koda
- Flip the Serial Select switch on the red sparkfun board under the Xbee from HW_SER to SW_SER
- Upload code using the Arduino IDE
- Flip the Serial Select switch on the red sparkfun board under the Xbee from SW_SER back to HW_SER
- Re-plug in the Xbee
- Test code
- If the Xbee is not working, remove the Xbee and plug the Arduino directly into the computer. Make sure the Serial Select switch is on the SW_SER mode
- If you're having trouble uploading code to the Arduino, make sure the Serial Select switch is properly set to SW_SER
This package was built by Connor Novak (20'), Nathan Estill (21'), and Kawin Nikomborirak (21') for the Ground Robotic Autonomous Vehicle Laboratory (link).