CHAPTER 27 ■ ENCORE■ Tip LCDs consume much, much less power than LEDs. That’s why solar-powered calculators use LCDs.
Other than the most basic LED displays showing simple numbers and a few characters, a decent display
requires a microcontroller. I highly recommend attaching some sort of alphanumeric (numbers and letters)
display to your robot’s microcontroller, as it makes debugging so much easier.
Wireless Data and Control
Look no further than the common garage door opener or radio controlled (RC) toys for radio frequency (RF)
controllers. There are lots of good robot-ready controller boards that are sold for model airplanes, boats,
trucks, and cars. As robot combat television shows made obvious, model radio controllers are easily adapted
for robots.
Some modules have features that can even provide data transfer rather than just control (see Figure 27-24).
With data RF modules, the robot can remotely log sensor information to a laptop or desktop machine. Or you can
reprogram the robot remotely rather than with a serial cable. Or the robot can receive status information about
the environment (doorbell ringing, heat source detected on the couch in front of the TV) and communicate that
information to a primary location, such as a home computer.
Figure 27-24. Wireless data transmitter and receiver modules
Perhaps the coolest potential opportunity for wireless data technology is the ability for multiple robots
to work together on a task. RF modules are like miniature robot walkie-talkies.
Everyday Challenges
I compiled a list of tasks that I think would be fun or helpful for a robot to perform. I constantly annoy my
friends, family, and coworkers with statements like “Oh! That would be a great task for a robot.” I notice that
fewer and fewer people are eating lunch with me lately.