MobBob

00 MobBob2 SmlMobBob-MenuFace

MobBob is a smart phone controlled, 3D-printed robot that I designed and have been working on. He was inspired by the popular, 3D printable BoB the Biped robot.

He is on Thingiverse here:
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:715688

And I’ve recently created an easier to print and assemble version! MobBob V2:
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:990950

The Bluno (Arduino) code for MobBob can be found on GitHub:
https://github.com/cevinius/MobBob

The latest version of the Android app can be downloaded from Google Play:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cevinius.MobBob
(The app is free to download, has no ads, and no IAP.)

You can find some detailed assembly and wiring instructions here:
http://www.cevinius.com/2015/09/19/detailed-mobbob-build-instructions/

His app was written using the Unity game engine, and his current features include:

  • Speech
  • Speech recognition – For conversation and commands
  • Computer vision – Face Detection, Colored Ball Detection
  • Interaction via a touch screen interface
  • Walking around
  • Using movement to emote
  • Using his screen face to emote

The phone communicates with MobBob’s body using Bluetooth.

He does not have many parts, and can be built easily and cheaply! He can do quite a lot for a small robot! 😀

You can see him in action here:






Wiring Diagram

A few people have been asking how to wire up MobBob! Here’s a diagram using the Bluno Beetle, and the Battery Booster that I use.

(See here for some additional notes about the diagram: http://www.cevinius.com/2015/09/19/mobbob-wiring-diagram/)

You can use other Bluno boards like the Bluno Nano. You can also use other 5V Battery Boosters.

Servo-Final

 

103 thoughts on “MobBob”

  1. Hello!
    Congratulations yor this great project especially for sharing such a wonderful app! I love the voice recognition feature and would love to tinker with it on some arduino projects.

    Can you tell me if the app will work with some other bluetooth modules like HM-10?? or is it tied only to DFrobot bluno series.

    HM-10 uses similar chip as blunos so it seem that it should be compatible.

    Thank you in advance for your answer.

  2. Hi Maciej,

    Thank you for getting in touch!

    I haven’t tried, but I think the app won’t currently work with cards like an HM-10.

    The app connects to the Bluno using Bluetooth LE Services and Characteristics. Currently, it connects to the Service provided by the Bluno (which is a basic data relaying one). This service has an ID, which is probably unique to the Bluno. (One of the good things about doing it this way is that no pairing is required, so any phone can jump in and connect.)

    However, I want to make other bluetooth boards a more traditional connection with pairing, etc. I’ve had a few people ask about this, so I want to add support for other bluetooth boards!

    I’ll have a look at it this weekend… So hopefully, I’ll have an update soon!

    1. Hey!

      Thank you for your answer.
      I don`t mind to bother you as it is your hobby project.
      But if HM-10 is also a BLE-Serial module (as I suppose Bluno works) then wouldn`t it be only a matter of adding its characteristic ID to your list of devices to achieve compatibility??

      Maciej

      1. Hi Maciej,

        What you said makes a lot of sense and I think it might work!

        I don’t have an HM-10, so I can’t test it out. However, I just put in a code change to try to support the HM-10.

        I did some googling and saw that the HM-10 offers a “pass through” Service/Characteristic with the following UUID:
        Service: 0000ffe0-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb. Characteristic: 0000ffe1-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb

        I’m not sure if it’ll work… but I’ve added a new button to the app that will try to connect to an HM-10 using the above UUIDs.

        I’m just putting the app into Google Play now, so it should appear in a few hours.

        If you try it out, please let me know if it works! I can’t test it myself!

        Thanks,
        Kevin

        1. Hey Kevin,

          I got the HM-10 module today and installed your update.
          It seemes that the apps connects to the module (it`s built in led stops flashing when connecting with the app) but i can`t check it completely since I couldn`t make the HM-10 talk to Arduino (it doesn`t answer AT commands)

          I have never used this module before and I only have experience with HC-05/06 bluetooth 2.0 modules so I need a while to make it work.

          I will let you know how it goes.

          Thanks,
          Maciej

          1. Hi Maciej,

            Thanks for the update. That sounds promising. Did the app get into the part with MobBob’s face? If it did, then it sounds like the app was able to find and connect to the service and characteristic.

            Hopefully, the “pass through” service on the HM-10 is the same as the one on the Bluno. Fingers crossed!

            Please let me know how you go! If there are tweaks needed for the HM-10, I can try to put those in.

            Thank you!

            Kevin

  3. Hey Kevin

    HM-10 works!
    HC-05 works!

    WOW!
    You have just made an open version of Romo 😉

    Had no problems with connection between the app and bluetooth modul.

    I am using Arduino Leonardo. The connection is straight forward (btTX -> RX1, btRX – >TX1 pins) and then in arduino script I am passing data from Serial1 to Serial to send them to computer. I am recieving all of the commands like and so on

    I am working on a robotic project called LO FI ROBOT (www.lofirobot.com), it is an open source robotic kit with lasercut plywood blocks (inspired by Multiplo), Arduino and universal electronic components.

    Would you mind if i wrote some tutuorials describing how to use your app with some other robotic constructions??

    (our site is curently polish only but will be translated to english by the end of the year)

    1. I’m quite a noob in Arduino. But I can follow instructions . I have Arduino Nano and some HC-5 and HC-6 Bluetooth modules. Can you make a fritzing wiring diagram and code implemantation to make it work

  4. Hi Maciej,

    Woo-Hoo!!! That is fantastic news!!! Hearing that it worked has put a huge smile on my face. 😀

    I’m happy for you to write about the app in some tutorials. Please let me know what you post. I would love to check it out (even if I can’t read Polish).

    I’m planning to continue adding features and functionality to the app! 😀

    Since you mentioned Romo… I am thinking about making a wheeled body to use with the app. To support that, I’ll be adding some new commands that the app can use for controlling a differential drive robot. I’m thinking something along the lines of:

    [WL, #, #] – “WheeL” with one parameter for each wheel. -127 to go full speed backwards up to 127 for full speed forward.

    Your LO FI ROBOT project looks great. Some of the designs on the website look very cool! Please keep me up to date with it.

    I have some experience with Multiplo. I made a 4-servo biped with it! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZdCfz4gq1U) I was only just starting to learn how to use an Arduino back then, so the code was much more basic back then.

    Take care and stay in touch!

    Kevin

  5. Built one! Used an Arduino Uno and HC-06 Bluetooth module. It’s covered in breadboard wires. More comments to follow soon, just wanted to thank you for putting these instructions up!

  6. Hello cevinius,
    Firstly, thank you very very much for sharing such a fantastic project! I came across it by complete chance in a 3dhubs newsletter while using their service, and your robot inspired me to get my own printer and attempt this project. It has taken me nearly two months but things so far have, for the most part, gone well. The parts are printed, the servos are connected, the Bluno Beetle is soldered up and connected and your app is installed on my phone. My biggest hurdle (and the one that I just can’t figure out) is when it comes to uploading your github code (using the Arduino 1.6.6 software), I get a load of errors staring with:

    MobBob-Control-Bluno:207: error: ‘LeftHipCentre’ was not declared in this scope

    { 300, LeftHipCentre(), LeftFootFlat(), RightHipCentre(), RightFootFlat() }

    These errors keep on going down the page and sadly, due to my complete ignorance with code, they mean absolutely nothing to me. I have tried mucking around with different values, but since I don’t know what I’m doing, it’s not having much of an effect. I have read your read me, and your comments through the code, but nothing I can find indicates that I have missed something. I understand that my description of the problem is a little vague, but if there’s an obvious direction that you could point me in, I’d be really grateful. Help me cevinius. You are my only hope.

    Thanks again for the awesome project!
    Simon

    1. Hi Simon,

      Thanks for the kinds words. Hopefully, you’ll get him up and running soon.

      First, is the file definitely complete? As a double check use the “Download Zip” button on the right hand side of here: https://github.com/cevinius/MobBob and check try the file you get from there.

      Also, in Arduino’s Tools>Board menu, please confirm it’s pointed to Uno (which is what you use for the Bluno).

      I’m downloading 1.6.6 at the moment to double check. (I’m currently using 1.6.4 which shouldn’t be that different.)

      Let me know how you go.

      Kevin

        1. It looks like they are now stricter in 1.6.6 with wanting forward declarations…! What worked in 1.6.4 no longer works in 1.6.6!

          I did a quick update of the code to address this and pushed it up to Github. Please try again with the latest version.

          Let me know how you go. 🙂

  7. Hi Kevin,
    Well, whatever you did to the code, it worked! So a very big thank you is in order for your super fast work! The code now gets through the compiling stage (where it was getting stuck), and successfully makes its way onto the board. I can tweak the servo centers, and it works as you intended. As with all of these things, resolving one issue tends to reveal another, and so it is with mine. I’m a bit of a luddite cheapskate when it comes to phones, and I’m still happily using my Samsung Galaxy S3 4g, which I’m now thinking is verging on a bit long in the tooth for a project like this. It passes the BLE test using the ‘BLE checker’ app (from google Play), so I had hoped that it would connect, but I’ve had no luck so far. I’m entertaining the idea that I may now have to get another, more modern, device to use for this little bot. I also don’t know anybody with an Android device newer that mine, so I’m a bit stuck with testing. If, off the top of your head, you know of a BLE compatible budget phone (Aus local), be it new or second hand, then I’d happily take the advice. On a brighter note, I’m really looking forward to seeing this MobBot work, as I have completely redesigned the chassis, including making the phone cradle universal, enclosing the Bluno and wiring, as well as making it more durable, for times when little mobby finds itself in the hands of youngsters, though the balance and weight distribution need to be tested before I can share the files. Thank you again for your speedy reply and assistance on such a fun and inventive project.

    Simon

    1. Hi Simon,

      That’s great news that the Arduino part is sorted.

      Sounds like you have made a very cool customized build. I’m looking forward to seeing it! 😀

      With regards to the phone. Can you check the version of Android it is running? Is it running the latest available for your device? (I remember reading that S3 had the hardware but not the software for Bluetooth 4.0 support when they came out.)

      I’m not sure about other phones. I’ve tested on Nexus 5, 6 and an S6. I don’t feel confident to suggest anything else since I haven’t tested… but I would guess a recent model bottom of the range phone should work.

      All the best with these last few steps! Sounds like you are pretty close to having him walking around.

      Kevin

  8. Hi Kevin,
    The phone (Samsung Galaxy S3 4G GT-I9305) is running Android 4.3, and as far as I know, it has the latest updates available to it. And I think that you are correct about the phone initially only having the bluetooth 4.0 hardware built in, with the Android / Samsung support to follow. Having tested it, and getting the green light from ‘BLE Checker’, I thought that I might be in luck. I guess that I’ll have to do some internet research, and try to find a compatible cheapie! I’ll be sure to update you with whatever I discover.

    Thanks again for all your time,
    Simon.

    1. Hi Simon,

      Sounds like you have the latest.

      You have probably already tried this, but one final suggestion is to try connecting with the “Scan Only for Device Service” checkbox ticked and then with it not ticked.

      To be doubly safe, after an attempt, kill and restart the app to make sure there’s no weird bluetooth stuff lingering.

      Sorry I can’t provide more advice! All the best, and hope you get it working soon! 😀

      Kevin

  9. Dear Cervinus;

    I am developing a robot based off of the poppy robot chassis. I am not using the expensive dynamixel motors and am beating my head against the wall trying to learn programing. Sort of cart before the horse issues mostly. I’m switching gears and going to build a simpler biped to learn more.

    I like the autonomous aspects of your robot and the voice recognition, vision from camera and usage of smartphone sensors etc in your app. Granted this is an as I learn more question can the app be modified to add more leg servos and arms gripper? Is that all in the arduino code or the android app as well?

    Awesome project can’t watch to get started and have my Samsung s4 dance around on the table.

    Thanks

    Cliff

  10. Hello again Cevinius. Well I´ve finished my MobBob. I am using an Arduino Nano and a HC06 Bt module. My bot is acting quite strange. The first 2 movements goes well. Although bot stays shaking (maybe it´s cold lol) and when I do some commands after 2 first (whatever I choose) the bot do crazy moves and shakes faster and roug (sizures?). So need to unplug power and turn it on again. I use baud rate 9600 for hc with Arduino Nano (other baud rate doesn´t work). No other mods on .ino file. Well, I did all I know (not much) and now I need som help!

    1. Changed RX and TX pins (11 and 12) to 6 and 7. More stable, but still moving crazy sometimes. HC06 module sometimes turns off, forcing system reset.

      1. Hi Johnson,

        How are you powering everything?

        From the behaviour that you describe, my guess is that the power source is not providing enough current. I’m guessing that when the servos do a “heavier” action, they are drawing most of the current, then the microcontroller and bluetooth module don’t have enough and sometimes reset or stop behaving. I’ve seen similar behaviour in some of my older bots when I was running them with NiMH AA/AAA batteries.

        Kevin

        1. Hi, I use a cell phone battery extender (5v ) but I didin´t payed attention to its max current output. I will see what´s happening and calculate min current needed. Thanx for your help! I´ll post the outcome later!

  11. I´ve finished my MobBob. I am using a Bluno beetle.
    The android app works on my son’s samsung galaxy S2 , but unfortunately it has no 4.0 bluetooth. I have an iPhone 5s, so
    I’m wondering what is the status about an OIS app?

    Marc

    1. Hi Marc,

      Sorry about the slow reply. I was busy moving house this past week.

      That’s great news about finishing the build!!

      The main hold up with iOS is the voice recognition. I have the vision part and the bluetooth part to control the robot working already.

      I may release a cut down version first and then update it later with the voice recognition.

      I’ll start doing some proper tests of the iOS version next weekend to get it ready for release.

      Kevin

      1. Hi Kevin,

        That’s sounds great.
        The cutdown version is great for testing the hardware.
        I can’t wait. Thanks a lot.

        Marc

        1. Cool. I’ll keep you posted when it’s done! I’m currently building some MobBobs for a museum to use. I’ll get onto the iOS version once I finish building these guys.

          1. Any news on the iOS version? My son and I would love to build one, but don’t have an Android phone handy.

          2. Hi Atomos,

            I still haven’t had time to look at it since work has been crazy. However, this weekend is a 3-day weekend. I don’t think I’ll be able to get the voice recognition stuff working on iOS, but I’ll see if I can make the cut down version. I’ll post an update on Monday on where it’s at.

            Kevin

  12. Cevinius, now it´s working without movement artifacts. Just changed battery with 2 A output. But Companion mode doesn´t listen voice commands. Other functions working perfectly!

    1. Cool. That is great news about the movement!!

      With the voice commands, please check that your phone is set to English. Currently it will only work if the phone’s language is English.

      Also, do a test with another voice app to see if it works. For example, the voice search in Google Now. If it’s working there, then it should work in MobBob too.

      Let me know how you go!

      Kevin

      1. Hello Kevin,
        Great project! I’m living in France and my phone is set to French :-(. I can change it to English, but is not practical for many reasons. Have you considered sharing your app code so others can change voice commands and/or language?

        Paulo

  13. Has anyone tried this with a pro mini or pro micro with hc-05 /06? using a 5v 1A powerbank but cant even move one connected servo.. what am i doing wrong?

    1. That is pretty close to the setup I used here: http://www.cevinius.com/2015/10/05/mobbob-app-now-works-with-most-bluetooth-boards/

      Have you tried sending the commands over USB to determine if the problem is bluetooth related or general servo control related?

      Also, have you tried driving the servos separate using a basic servo test Arduino program? (E.g. the “Sweep” example that comes with Arduino.) That will help determine if it’s a software problem or a wiring problem.

      All the best with your build!

      Kevin

    2. hey jeremiahJ

      I was testing it with PRO MICRO and hc-06 BT module
      I had no problem with recieving the commands, did some simple testing with servo and it was reacting, so everything looked fine

      are you connecting the powerbank to arduino and ruing to power servos from arduino 5v module? if that is the case then maybe arduino is unable to provide them with enough power

      can you try connecting the powerbang to breadboard (you can find simple micro usb adapters for breadboard cheaply)
      and the power arduino and servos separately

      also if you are using PRO MICRO it is Leonardo compatible design so it has two serial ports
      you can connect BT module to TX/RX pins and call them as Serial1 in arduino code
      and the further send data to computer console with Serial
      that way you can check if your arduino recieves commands over BT correctly

    1. Hi Maciej,

      Of course! 😀 Also, thank you for your helpful reply in the other thread!!

      For Bluetooth LE, I’m using this plugin: https://www.assetstore.unity3d.com/en/#!/content/26661

      (BTW, for regular Bluetooth, I’m using this one: https://www.assetstore.unity3d.com/en/#!/content/16467)

      Are you going to write a Unity app too?? If so, please let me know how you go.

      I’m planning to write a blog post on how I setup my Unity project, but I’ve been too busy with work recently. 🙁

      Kevin

      1. hey!

        i have some ideas for apps and some prior unity experience so decided to give it a try

        also i started applying your apps for my lofi robots
        by now i only ported the poppet script to PRO MICRO arduino module
        http://www.lofirobot.com/edubox/robot-ze-smartfonem/
        (polish only)

        (for anyone wanting to try)
        My arduino setup:
        – HC-06 bluetooth connected to TX and RX pins
        – L293D as motor driver
        – motor1 pins – D2,D4 for direction and D3 for PWM speed
        – motor2 pins – D7,D8 for direction and D5 for PWM speed
        – distance sensor: Trig – D14, Echo – D15

        Right now I am working on porting your MobBob scritpt to the same two-wheel construction

        1. Fantastic, Maciej!! Sorry about the slow reply. I’ve been overseas on some business trips recently.

          Kevin

  14. Hello Cevinius,

    Great project! I’m living in France and my phone is set to French :-(. I can change it to English, but is not practical for many reasons. Have you considered sharing your app code so others can change voice commands and/or language?

    Paulo

  15. I am working on a MobBob and was trying out the Voice Rec. One time I got it to work right, but every time since, when I press the start listening button, it beeps and says no match. I downloaded the latest version from the Play Store. I am running on a Nexus 5 using the Don’t Connect option (since I don’t have the body ready). Everything else seems to be working as far as I can tell.

    1. Hi Elmo,

      Maybe try restarting the phone, and also double check that you are online and connected to the internet.

      I occasionally find it gets into a state where it says “No Match”, but usually when I restart the app (kill it from the task-manager type thing and then restarting it), it usually fixes itself.

      Let me know how you go.

      Thanks,
      Kevin

    1. Hi Tim,

      The current version of the app uses some proprietary libraries (and also some stuff from my work), so I can’t share it out as is. However, I am interested in redoing it so that it can be shared out. I think having an open source code base for app-driven robots would fantastic! I would love to see other people make applications for this little robot!

      Kevin

  16. Kevin,

    Let me know what is proprietary and needs to be left out. I am thinking of possibly running a grade school robotics club based off of this if we can put together an app that can be extended to support scratch or blocky. I like the voice recognition and open CV visual stuff you have integrated. I am not necessarily an Android app developer but I do know a bit about porting android to various embedded boards from an OS perspective from work experience.

    Also, I am working on some modified models to fit different phones and batteries using onshape. What did you use to design your models? I’m also thinking of rolling the designing of the custom phone holder into the curriculum.

    Tim

    1. Hi Tim,

      I heard of someone who successfully used MIT App Inventor to make their own app to drive MobBob. (They have videos of their work on YouTube.) So, that could be something the students could use potentially to make apps for MobBob.

      The commands that MobBob’s Arduino code uses are pretty simple, so it should not be too hard to write something that sends them via Scratch/Blocky. As a starting point, it might be easiest to skip bluetooth/Android and use a USB connection direct from the PC to the robot.

      To provide more information about my app…

      My app was written using the Unity game engine using C#, so it is not a straight Android app. (It does not use Java and Android Studio/Eclipse, etc.)

      I did this to make the code base cross-platform (most of the code already runs on iOS too), and also because I wanted to make use of other game-engine functionality for robotics (e.g. path finding, etc). It also makes it easier to do animations and emotes… I set things up so that I can do a lot of dynamic facial animations, but haven’t had time to make full use of that yet.

      Because it’s in Unity, the version of OpenCV I’m using is a special C# port. (The interface is based on the official Java bindings, but ported to C#.) It’s a library I purchased and cannot be distributed. On top of that, my code for the object recognition was initially written for my work, so I can’t pass that code out.

      The voice stuff I’m using is also a package that wraps the Android voice stuff for Unity. The wrapper for the package is not too complicated. The complexity is mostly in the parser that I wrote. It tries to understand what the user wants without the user needing to say exact commands/phrases. I’m actually planning to re-write the parser to make it more flexible so that users can add their own phrases, etc.

      With the 3D printed parts, I used Blender to make the models. I chose that initially because it was free, but have grown to like it. Prior to Blender I used a few things including 123D Design. I think it would a great idea to include designing parts in the curriculum. You could pass them a template file with the connector plates, and they could make the phone/battery holder around those. That would allow some flexibility in their design while ensuring that they will fit on.

      All the best!

      Kevin

      1. Kevin,

        Thanks for all the details! I finally found time to dig into this and after a bit of a learning curve with Android Studio and the Android API I have something up and running. The source is at https://github.com/tharvey/BlocklyBot and currently its extremely limited but offers the following:
        – scan/connect to Bluno
        – blockly blocks for your Mobbob Arduino API
        – basic save/restore workspace

        Over the next week or so I hope to add the following:
        – choose save/restore file (multiple workspaces)
        – save/restore to cloud (Google drive)
        – program in javascript or blockly
        – add additional blocks for:
        – speech (speak text / listen for command words)
        – sound (tone via freq/amplitude/duration, playback of audio files on phone)
        – facial expressions on screen
        – support for standard bluetooth (to increase range of phone support)

        I have a couple of questions for you:
        – Do you know if a 1A/2200mAh battery such as https://www.adafruit.com/product/1959 provides sufficient power output for the 9g servos? I’ve found these available on overstock sites for as ~$1 in bulk. That battery you reference doesn’t seem to be available anymore.
        – I’m a bit unfamiliar with the Arduino world – what is your recommendation for cost-sensitive solution for standard bluetooth (so that I can allow older non BLE phone support)? I’m thinking of an Arduino Nano 3.0 + HC05 which it looks like I can get for about $2 and $3 respectively (aliexpress) but I do need to put a voltage divider on the TX line to drop it from 5V to 3.3V. This 2-board solution with voltage devider seems like a cludge when compared to the Bluno but I really need to lower the bar on the required phone features

        Tim

        1. Hi Tim,

          That is amazing, fantastic and awesome to hear. I can’t wait to check it out!! 😀 Please keep me up to date with your progress.

          My guess is that battery should work fine. I think the battery that I’m using is also outputting 1A, so that should be enough current. However, sometimes manufacturers do not provide accurate specs… so it would be safer to test one first. (I’ve had experiences with some cheap chinese batteries not doing what they claim at all.)

          That Nano + HC05 combo sounds like a good deal, and seems like that price would be hard to beat. I haven’t seen anything cheaper myself. Maybe check if that HC05 is a 5V-TTL tolerant version? I’ve heard that some are… If it is, would save the extra board.

          All the best and stay in touch!

          Kevin

          1. Kevin,

            Things are moving along well with my ‘BlocklyBot’ app. I will likely setup a website dedicated to the course I’m using it for but until then the course is detailed in the BlocklyBot wiki: http://github.com/tharvey/BlocklyBot/wiki.

            I’ve added Bluetooth support and have device support now for Bluno and HC-05. I’ve added a ‘speak’ block and am still working on some other functionality before I put the app into the Google’s App store.

            Also, I’ve re-created the mobbob parts using OnShape and made them public here: https://cad.onshape.com/documents/8446aef0c54d88216ae34940/w/64f7bef3a370dc5507346c9d/e/df218e2e91ae7c65a15eda91 . Changes from your design include:
            – widened hips a few mm’s to accommodate for the battery pack I’m using
            – put some aesthetic fillets on most of the parts
            – split the phone holder into a ‘sleeve’ and a ‘holder’. This makes them easier to print and I’m using double-stick tape to attach the two. I also did this because I want the students to design the ultra-simple ‘sleeve’ for the phone they have
            – added battery pack holder

            For my course, I’ll be having the students use Tinkercad but I chose OnShape because it was way more featured.

            Tim

          2. Awesome! The new parts look good. I really like the course description and the build photos on the Wiki page. Can’t wait to see more, and to try the app out.

            Thanks for the update, Tim!

  17. Hi
    I’m struggling to get the text to speech working. All the other sounds work fine. Which tts engine does the app use?
    Thanks

      1. Thanks – checked Google TTS and discovered I didn’t have voices installed – all sorted out now. While assembling I was thinking it might be worth adding a couple of anchor holes on the feet for cable ties to hold the servos down.

  18. Saludos..te felicito; muy buen proyecto, me gusta mucho la interacción..no has pensado en sacar a MobBob hablando en español? seria muy bueno para los que nos gusta estas cosas en latinoamerica… gracias por compartirlo.

  19. Hi, my friend, I would like to help translate the program into portuguese brazil.
    Could you share the code with me?

    Thank you very much in advance.

  20. How do I connect a raspberry pi with hm10 to a bluno nano? I’ve tried via serial over Bluetooth but it doesn’t work.

    1. Hi Mars,

      I haven’t tried doing that myself, so I can’t offer any advice. All the best!

      Kevin

  21. Hello,

    Firstly good job .

    Can you make a package of the unity project and share it ? I’m very interresting by your implementation of Open CV in unity

    Thank’s a lot

    Jérôme

    1. Hi Jerome,

      I’m not able to share the project since it includes from 3rd party libraries, and also some code from my work.

      It makes use of the OpenCV library available from the Unity Asset store. It’s a nice package and I’ve had great results with it in this and other applications.

      I wish you all the best for your project!

      Kevin

  22. Wow, this is incredible! I was getting into 3D printing, heading towards doing a project very much like this. Except this would’ve taken me 5 years.

    Harnessing the power of the phone and combining it with Arduino is brillant.
    And I was looking for a program that would be a robot with personality.

    I read somewhere here that you got very busy at work, which is why it is so quiet here. Any time frame on when you’ll be able to get back to this?

    If I could make a request –
    would it take long to add some more speech to him?
    Maybe just another 5 – 10 phrases would give him so much more personality:
    eg – How are you?

    Bigger request – you have him identifying your face. He tracks a ball. Is there any way he could track your face? That is, sitting on your dekstop, could he “watch” you?
    Again, trying to make him more autonomous, seem a bit more “real”.

    Last request – did I see a video with an ultrasonic sensor?!? Has that been added into the Arduino code?
    I would love that!! Otherwise, I’m looking also at Otto the biped – maybe you can adapt that code? He wanders around, beeps if he encounters and obstacle, and then turns. It makes him seem very much “alive”. Sadly, the feet servos look like they are mounted entirely differently, so the code would need to be interpolated.

    Thanks so much for what you’ve already done!

    Girt

  23. Hi
    I’m french builder
    Can i use à AA batery holder in 6v or mimh batery in 4.8v
    Because my extender is broken on the shiping
    Thanks
    Thomas

    1. Yes! You should be able to do that for sure. I use the battery extender for convenience (having the charging mechanism, etc), but you can definitely just build your own battery pack! You may want separate supplies for the microcontroller and servos, or build something that can ensure there’s enough current supplied to drive both the microcontroller and servos. I found that using a basic NiMh battery pack (e.g. 4 x AA) sometimes didn’t supply enough current (when the servos were moving). It would lead to the microcontroller going into a weird state, where the servos would then move randomly.

  24. Hi,
    This is a great project.
    As mention by others, the app in google play seems to be missing now. Is there any chance it will be back? Or could it be that it is acceptable elsewhere?

  25. Muchas gracias por este magnífico trabajo Adquirí un bluno ya que no conseguía comunicar BT Arduino. Espero que funcione. Mañana probaré . Enhorabuena por tu proyecto!!!

      1. Thank you very much Kevin/Cevinus! My robot is done. I will be taking him to see friends Wednesday.

          1. Thanks, My friends, students and family loves it! However The bluno is not recognized by the other devices all of the sudden.

  26. Yeah, I think I fried my Bluno. My computer does not make that noise when you hook up a new device like another arduino. Looks like I will invest in the smaller Bluno. What do you suggest?

    1. Hi Holly,

      Sorry to hear your Bluno fried (and apologies for the slow reply). If you use a 7.4V battery, make sure that Bluno is still only getting 5V. You may need to step down the voltage for the Bluno. If you are using separate batteries for the Bluno and the Servos, make sure the Grounds are connected. The small Bluno is basically the same as the big one (at least the last time I looked). There are less pins, but it should be fine for the robot.

      Kevin

  27. Great work , thanks for sharing.
    I am using your andriod app …..08-28c on nexus 7 (2013) and bluno beetle v1.1. The app works fine on the nexus but will not connect to bluno. The DFRobot demo app works fine and can communicate with the bluno running your mobbob sketch.
    It looks like an issue with the android app. Any ideas? Help appreciated. Thanks Stu

  28. Hello a greeting. I wanted to ask you. Is the app app no ​​longer available? Did you plan to upload it back to the platform? Thank you, I’m looking forward for your answer

  29. Hi, same problem here. Couldn’t find the app at Google Play. Is it open source? The MobBob is ready, just waiting for the app. Thank you in advance!

  30. Here is the link for the android app.

    https://apkpure.com/mobbob/com.cevinius.MobBob

    I have built it and it only connects to Bluno very rarely. I’ve had success connecting “Bluno Basic Demo” (another app) to my phone consistently so it appears there may be a problem with the MobBob app, at least for me.

    I’ve been tinkering with it for months and am somewhat disappointed as I hoped to give MobBob as a Christmas gift.

    Unfortunately I don’t know much about developing apps. I hope you’ll find time to take another look at the app and fix it. (unless it’s just me)

  31. Hi, cevinius

    Could you please email me (lis_wang@hotmail.com) the sketch up files of “MobBob_V2_Remix” instead of stl file? As the stil needs to repair when I want to load it to the 3d Printer slicing software.

  32. Congrats on a great project :-)! I have two visions for this project, curious what you think of them: Could the bluetooth connection be replaced by a OTG serial USB connection? This would simplify things a lot, no need anymore for battery pack or bluetooth module. Then, how about integrating the full power of google assistent/google home? Would be cool if Mobbob would be able to turn on the lights for you and give you the latest weather report…..

    1. They’re really good ideas. OTG serial would be an interesting change to the hardware and may lead to some new possibilities, and adding some google assistant functionality would lead to a lot more interactions you can do with the robot.

  33. Sou brasileiro, queria saber se tem como eu modificar o apk para funcionar com falas em português. Desde já te agradeço!

  34. Hello! First of all, thank you for such a contribution. I am having problems connecting the app to the Bluno chip, although I tried the exercises to test the Bluetooth and they worked, the phone finds and pairs the chip, when I start the app it cannot detect the connection. I don’t understand Java, I wanted to copy the project to see how it works. If you could share an app update with me or if you have the code and wouldn’t mind sharing it, you would help me a lot.

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