I found a cheap B&W camera in a toy shop and fitted it to the top of the current chassis. The cables for the video and sound run alongside the remote control cable then to the video recorder and TV.
The view you get from a low down camera is quite interesting and you get to appreciate what the sensors are going to have to do later in the series.
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I attached the camera to the base with a bolt and large nylon washer in the position for the line follower snout.
Now all I've got to do is wait for the cat to get stuck in the drain. Although as you can see in the picture Cybot and camera may get stuck first! There are a wide range of cameras on the market that would do this job properly but I guess you get what you pay for! I am on the lookout for a supply of sensibly priced cameras and I'll put a list up on this page when I've done some testing.
Camera
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TYCO VideoCam TVC800 B&W + sound.
£25.00 with cables and scart plug. Poor picture quality and too big for the finished Cybot but good fun for the money. |
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Philips webcam Colour + sound.
£50.00 with 2m cable to PCI card in computer. Good quality image, contrast adjustment and automatic brightness control. No camera mount just a concave rubber foot. |
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Rockwell Camera Colour - No sound.
£65.00 supplied with modem card and 2m lead. Low resolution picture. I've rotated the camera to stick out of the top of Cybot. I then rotate the image at the computer. Camera mount on side of unit. |
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Pace colour video camera USB - No sound.
£50.00 supplied with 2m USB lead. Low resolution picture. A vertical swivel head gives a nice looking design. Would need to be mounted on top of the Cybot when complete. Camera mount in base. |
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Colour USB Webcam + sound
£65.00 supplied twin 2m cable USB and microphone. High resolution image and of a light weight construction . Clip mount on base of camera. |
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I'm wondering how much space there is above the battery box
when the Cybot is finished. It could be full of circuit boards.
If I cut a hole in the centre of the front shields then the camera lens would just poke through nicely. |
PS
If you are interested in a camera for your robot drop me an email so I know what
you are looking for and what sort of price you'd be able to afford. I'll shop
around and see if I can get a good deal as a group. camera@wilot.co.uk