rEmotion – a Module with Visual Input and Output

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C++-based Linux Control Library
Andrei Gramakov • 09/26/2024 at 17:37 • 1 comment
Good news! rEmotion 2 is now shipped with the Linux library that can be used to interact with the module from your Raspberry Pi or any other Linux device!

The update is available in the repository:
- https://github.com/an-dr/rEmotion
Look at the example application that constantly writes frames to the img.jpg file, moves the head, and changes facial expressions!

While working on this update I realized, that my initial web camera was not suitable for the project, so the updated assembly documentation is available here (no mechanical changes needed):
- https://www.hackster.io/an-dr/0e8301
Logitech C270 is not good for the project
Andrei Gramakov • 09/25/2024 at 19:44 • 0 comments
So, it is turned out, that C270 does not implement the MJPEG format properly. As a result, ANY library using libjpeg will tell you about it every time when it is trying to decode a frame.
The issue can be easily suppressed if you patch your libjpeg with a single line change, but in that case you have to patch exactly the same library that is used by your other libraries, or you might have a problem like this:
These complications are solvable every time, but the project is meant to be build easily (or at least as easy as possible), so I've dug into other simple solutions. The result is simple - replace C270 but with what? As I discovered. Logitech has several cameras with a similar PCB design which makes them mechanically interchangeable. They are C270, C310, C505 and probably Brio 100 plus Brio 105:

C270 C310 C505 Brio 100 Brio 105

So I can suggest you to try any of them besides C270, but I've bought C310 and got a super simple update. In the future I might to replace it with something else with FullHD. Here are two PCB near each other:

The assembly manual is updated https://www.hackster.io/an-dr/remotion-robotic-platform-0e8301#toc-extension-module---camera--logitech-c310---c505--brio-100-4
rEmotion 2 Firmware Update
Andrei Gramakov • 09/15/2024 at 19:20 • 0 comments

Today, I made a port of my old rEmotion 1 Arduino Nano-based firmware to rEmotion 2’s Pico. I used the second core for the stepper motor.

You can build it yourself using PlatformIO. The code is crappy, probably has to be refactored soon, but it works. For now, you can read all the commands in the file https://github.com/an-dr/rEmotion/blob/main/firmware/src/controlcallback.cpp#L19-L29 .
Basically, they are ASCII codes of 0-6, a, d symbols so you can send them just by pressing a key on your keyboard while connected to the Serial port.

Repository: https://github.com/an-dr/rEmotion
Small Mechanical Improvement
Andrei Gramakov • 09/14/2024 at 21:07 • 0 comments
If you want to switch to Arduino or else, now you can unscrew a single bolt and have access to the Pico's board button, thanks to the new version of the Pico mount part.

The new design looks like this and available at Printables:
- https://www.printables.com/model/1004766
Complete Assembly Manual
Andrei Gramakov • 09/13/2024 at 12:39 • 0 comments
I've finished the complete assembly manual with a camera and a stepper motor. Check it out!
- https://www.hackster.io/an-dr/remotion-robotic-platform-0e8301
rEmotion v2 - Core Build Manual
Andrei Gramakov • 09/12/2024 at 13:34 • 0 comments
Just publish a manual of building the core part of the rEmotion platform:
- https://www.hackster.io/an-dr/remotion-robotic-platform-0e8301
Try to build your own. The extension modules with a camera and a step motor are coming!
rEmotion 2 – For Everybody
Andrei Gramakov • 08/30/2024 at 21:21 • 0 comments
I started the second iteration of my robotic module rEmotion. This time it will be more public and accessible. I’m making it for everybody:
- easy to print
- easy to program
- easy to extend
- components – easy to buy
More updates and instructions soon!
Fast Prototyping of Mechatronics
Andrei Gramakov • 08/25/2024 at 20:19 • 0 comments

I finally tried Raspberry Pi Pico, and I was shocked. Writing hardware logic in Python is the simplest prototyping method, period. Now, details. To test the MicroPython I came up with a project I saw implemented on Arduino – a stepper motor controlled with a thumb stick.

I did a shallow googling and implemented everything using the code (plus a 3rd-party module stepper):
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Hello World
Andrei Gramakov • 06/05/2024 at 20:16 • 0 comments

Using the module in an image recognition application
After several months of experiments, I’ve decided to shape a new project called rEmotion. rEmotion is a hardware module with a robotic application in mind. The module represents a head with a display and a camera, allowing a robot to see the environment and express facial emotions...
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