Comments for Hacking Roomba

Comment on Build A Roomba Bluetooth Adapter by bobby

bobby — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 21:25:05 +0000

Hi, I found this thread a few weeks ago and thinking it is pretty cool, I decided to build one myself. I followed the plans exactly, using the newer RN-42 bluesmirf silver (the PCB is red). I’m connecting to it on my android smartphone using the roomba touch drive app. The app connects to the module fine but I cannot get roomba to respond to any commands from the touch-drive app. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Comment on Roombongle! A Roomba USB dongle by Cory D

Cory D — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 18:48:14 +0000

I have an extra cable that uses the prolific PL2303 to go from USB to serial and I was wondering, instead of dissecting it, couldn’t I just wire an adapter for it that goes from DB-9 to 8-pin mini-din?

It seems like it shouldn’t be more complicated than that, but when I google “Roomba RS-232″ it looks like it’s not as simple as I was expecting. http://hackingroomba.com/projects/build-a-roomba-serial-tether/

Comment on Roombongle! A Roomba USB dongle by Edu

Edu — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:31:25 +0000

Hi,

I’ve tried this hack with a Nokica ca-42 cable that have the PL2303, so it does the USB-serial conversion.

I’ve just connected the GND, TX and RX as you explain her, but when connected to the PC and Roomba 530 (turned on), the RoombaComm says that Roomba is not detected.

So, the problem could bae that the DD singnal is not connected?

If, so, wich transistor do I have to put between RTS and Roomba power signal?

Thanks a lot.

Comment on Build a Roomba Serial Tether by Alan Federman

Alan Federman — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:55:06 +0000

A USB bib for a Freeduino will work with no modification – only three signals are needed TXD, RXD, and GND. For a Turtlebot, you might also want to isolate the unregulated power (16v) and use it to develop a 12v supply for a Kinect. (The Freeduino bib is 1/2 the cost of a RooStick and is basically the same thing.

Comment on Table of Contents by Jerry Adkins

Jerry Adkins — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:03:15 +0000

I have a Roomba 400 series and would like to know if this book will be useful with this model. The unit has also quit functioning properly (starts/stops/backs up). The sofware fix sent by iRobotics did not help at all. So, was hoping to at least have some fun with this little guy.
Thanks

Comment on RoombaComm by Akos Maroy

Akos Maroy — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 21:21:49 +0000

does this thing work on the Roomba 7xx series?

Comment on Build a Roomba Serial Tether by Mine

Mine — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:43:24 +0000

Thanks for quick reply,
My Roomba model is 4150. But I don’t think the problem is the baud rate. I have one small favor to ask. Since I don’t have any experience on java programming, I couldn’t understand the explanations on roombacomm completely. I don’t even know what RXTX is. If it isn’t much of a burden, can you tell me exactly which of the three files to download from your site and which application to use in order to control roomba from Windows xp pc and any other software I require to make it work?
Thanks for your help,
Mine

Comment on Build a Roomba Serial Tether by todbot

todbot — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:10:28 +0000

Hi Mine,
What model Roomba do you have? The newer ones operate at 115200 instead of 57600 bps.

How did you install RXTX? (The easiest way I’ve found is to steal the one out of the Arduino software) Normally minor RXTX version mismatches aren’t an issue, but I’m not sure i’ve seen a 2.2pro1 before.

Comment on RoombaComm by Lauren

Lauren — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 23:24:02 +0000

Hi Tod,

I am running RoombaComm on a Mac, attempting to drive a Roomba 560 with a RooTooth dongle.

Whenever I send it the “start”, “full”, “control”, etc. commands nothing happens. It seems like it is connected to the RooTooth, however, because any other command (like “forward”, “spin left”) causes it to begin spot cleaning. Sending “stop” will stop it from cleaning, but sending “stop” a second time will make it start cleaning again. I need to be able to drive the Roomba, but right now all I can do is start and stop spot cleaning, no matter what command I send. Any ideas on what I’m doing wrong?

Thanks for your time,
Lauren

Comment on Build a Roomba Serial Tether by Mine

Mine — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:40:14 +0000

Hello. I built the Roomba serial interface tether as you’ve explained in your book. Echo test worked well. And I pluged the Roomba serial interface tether into the Roomba. I double click RoombaCommTest option and I select the correct port. However, I see in the display ” No Roomba. :( Is it turned on? ”
Also I have one warning:
Warning: RXTX Version mismatch
Jar version=RXTX-2.2pro1
native lib Version=RXTX-2.1-7
I installed Java my computer and Roomba model is 4150.
How we can solve this problem? Please help me. Thank you.