Added a Kinect. My robot now exceeds the MARK Reference Platform standard

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I scored bigtime yesterday! I got a working Xbox Kinect sensor (minus the power supply, which I didn’t need anyway) for just $25! After cutting up and splicing up some cables to make it work with the laptop that controls Anna, it tested great using the trial version of RoboRealm.

Kinect Sensor

Kinect Sensor

This brings my complete budget for this robot to $100. And Anna now far exceeds the MARK Reference Platform Standard put out by Microsoft. In contrast, Eddie, the bot put out by Parallax, Inc., costs almost $1300 without a laptop or Kinect. The payload and runtime are less, and so is out of the box functionality. Not bad, eh?

So, April 11, 2013 is officially Anna’s birthday. Once I get some programming done, Anna will have “follow me” capability, gesture recognition, color and movement tracking, mapping abilities, and more. Autonomy here we come :)

The Kinect connector (remember this is made to work with an Xbox) looked like this:

Kinect Pinout

Kinect Pinout

I needed to bring this out to USB, and 12 volt power. Easy enough.  

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Important Federal Tax Dates for May 2013

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Wed 1 Deposit payroll tax for payments on Apr 24-26 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Fri 3 Deposit payroll tax for payments on Apr 27-30 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Wed 8 Deposit payroll tax for payments on May 1-3 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Fri 10 Employers:  Employees are required to report to you tips of $20 or more earned during April.
Fri 10 File Form 941 for the first quarter if you timely deposited all required payments.
Fri 10 Deposit payroll tax for payments on May 4-7 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Wed 15 Deposit payroll tax for Apr if the monthly deposit rule applies.
Wed 15 Deposit payroll tax for payments on May 8-10 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Fri 17 Deposit payroll tax for payments on May 11-14 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Wed 22 Deposit payroll tax for payments on May 15-17 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.

My Wheelchair Robot Becomes a Teleoperated ROV

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It’s been a couple of weeks since I posted anything about Anna, my wheelchair robot I’m using for Smart Chair Technology research. I’ve been busy with family obligations, but I’ve still managed to make some great progress. Here’s a very short update. I’ll try to add a video as soon as I can get my hands on a decent camera!First, I found some open-source robotic software from Oculus used to control their “netbook based” tele-robots. Lucky for me, their controller board is compatible with the Arduino that I’m using. I downloaded the source code for their firmware, made some tweaks, and I now have full remote control/tele-operation of Anna via wifi from any internet connection anywhere in the world, and also via an app on my Iphone. This is a far cry from the simple keyboard control of her I had just a few weeks ago!

Anna ROV cam

Anna ROV cam  

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SCORE eNews April 2013

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Winning at the Numbers Game Visit score.org this month for FREE tools, resources and webinars on accounting and finance for your business. Visit score.org and make an appointment for FREE one-on-one advice from a SCORE mentor today!

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Free Tools & Resources from SCORE Financial Management Workbook Every decision that a small business makes – whether it’s creating a website, investing in advertising and marketing, or hiring an employee – has a financial impact. Throughout this workbook you’ll find case studies, examples, and expert guidance on every aspect of small business finances to help make your company financially successful. Disponible en español.

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Get more free Business Tools and Resources at score.org/features  

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