Failed to connect

[Jack Swayze]

All, I am having a problem getting the irobot to show up on my mac. Every time I run connect, I get failed to connect. I would try and troubleshoot this myself by cant find it in the forums, and there doesn't seem to be any troubleshooting docs.

Can someone point me in the right direction.

thanks

[Marque Cornblatt]

Hi Jack-

Can you share some details? What kind of mac and what version OS? Do you have normal Skype video chat working?

-Marque

[Jack Swayze]

Sorry, I should have added that data. I am ashamed.. I keep telling my users the same thing when they send in a helpdesk ticket. :)

Any who..

Macbook pro with snow leopard. I have not installed skype yet, because this will not be the machine I plan on using for the completed bot. The MBP will be my dev box.

I did fid a blurb on the internet that I have to install something to make the COM port show up under the /dev folder.

Any ideas?

Marque Cornblatt said:

Hi Jack-

Can you share some details? What kind of mac and what version OS? Do you have normal Skype video chat working?

-Marque

[Marque Cornblatt]

Just to be clear. The Sparky plug-in needs to be installed on both Mac's - the one onboard the 'bot, AND the control booth Mac. But first, test Skype video chat Mac-to-Mac, then once that is working, you should be able to get the plug-ins to connect. It definitely won't work otherwise.

Keep up the good work!

[Jack Swayze]

thanks for the reply.

Just to be clear, everything must be installed even skype before the API test will see the irobot?

I ask because I was hoping to use the API software to port to another web based video tool. I figured once I had your special software installed I could then port that over.

So to be clear, your solution only works if ALL the pieces are in place, skype, the plugins and two macs?

Thanks a million. I have a very special project for my company (the USO) and this could be a really great resource.

[Marque Cornblatt]

You got it. Although this code is available for anyone to modify, we got it working a very specific way. If you can use it with some other set-up, I would love to see the results, but my knowledge is actually very limited - I barely know enough to keep my version of the 'bot running.

Ultimately, I want this site to be a repository of a wide range of user-made Sparky-type 'bots and devices. Sounds like maybe you'll have one for us soon!

Jack Swayze said:

thanks for the reply.

Just to be clear, everything must be installed even skype before the API test will see the irobot?

I ask because I was hoping to use the API software to port to another web based video tool. I figured once I had your special software installed I could then port that over.

So to be clear, your solution only works if ALL the pieces are in place, skype, the plugins and two macs?

Thanks a million. I have a very special project for my company (the USO) and this could be a really great resource.

[Jack Swayze]

Cool. Yeah i will upload my photos and what I have been able to do with your software soon. I have just purchased everything I need.

This is a great jumping off point, and I cant wait to get it fully implemented.

I am sure you have seen this (emss its a c++ framework for the irobot), it seems like it might be a good way to port Sparky to windows and linux.
EMSS

[Jack Swayze]

I followed your recommendation to have everything installed. i did just that, the mini is hooked up and all the right software is installed. It all works fine, i see the data flowing back and forth. I see that my commands are being sent and received and executed. However, the little guy does not want to move.

I am wondering about the hardware. I am not using the KeySpan adapter. I have two other prolific USO-Serial adapters that both work fine in mac and in windows. I use them for my GPS receivers. But it says that I need the keyspan. Is it making calls to the keyspan device specifically? If so, can I create a symbolic link where sparky is sending the command to the prolific device? Or can I change something in the code to make it work, is there something else I can install (read above about the tidbit about the /dev hack i found earlier)

Thanks again.

J

[Marque Cornblatt]

I think using another adapter is ok, but I've only used the keyspan. But iRobot sells their own adapter also. My assumption is to confirm the adapter is working outside of this set-up. You should be able to see it in the terminal window, but again, I'm not an expert on terminal.

Are you starting the iRobot first? Do it before launching the software. In fact, I usually start the iRobot, THEN I boot up the Mac and launch all the software. It's a little bit of voodoo.

Also, sometimes, the 'bot takes up to a minute to respond upon initial connection. The commands get stacked up, so when it does begin to move, it will try to execute all the commands.

Jack Swayze said:

I followed your recommendation to have everything installed. i did just that, the mini is hooked up and all the right software is installed. It all works fine, i see the data flowing back and forth. I see that my commands are being sent and received and executed. However, the little guy does not want to move.

I am wondering about the hardware. I am not using the KeySpan adapter. I have two other prolific USO-Serial adapters that both work fine in mac and in windows. I use them for my GPS receivers. But it says that I need the keyspan. Is it making calls to the keyspan device specifically? If so, can I create a symbolic link where sparky is sending the command to the prolific device? Or can I change something in the code to make it work, is there something else I can install (read above about the tidbit about the /dev hack i found earlier)

Thanks again.

J

[Jack Swayze]

I have done some digging around, and maybe you can help me. I need to know what TTY ports your sparky is showing. Can you run "ls /dev/tty.*" and tell my what TTY ports you have. I am guessing that this is coded to talk to the /dev/tty.keyspan(im guessing at the exact directory). If i=the keyspan does not show just do a "ls /dev" and see if you see anything names keyspan.

Basically, I think if its trying to talk to the keyspan TY port, then I can create a symbolic link from my /dev/tty.usbserial port to /dev/tty.keyspan By doing this, I will find if my theory is correct that is was coded with the keyspan only and this might be a bug fix to allow any usb-serial adapters.

I guess the other thing I can do is head to my boat and grab my keyspan but I would rather crack this than drive 20 min one way. :)


EDIT:
Well scratch that. I tried to link it and it was a no go. I am guessing that a hard link even with a serial port cant be done. Who coded this, any contact info?

[Jack Swayze]

So does anyone have an email address to the developer?

Not having a keyspan USB to serial adapter seems to be a weak link. Would love to chat with the developer.

Thanks

[Jack Swayze]

Ok I am now officially turned off by this project.

I have a keyspan usb to serial adapter, installed it and followed all the directions on this site.

is there somewhere to get help? Maybe a community where the developers hang out? I really wnat to get this working but its not.

[Marque Cornblatt]

I contacted the software dev. when you first asked, but he's in grad school at Stanford so he can't respond to your questions as quickly as I can.