Dogcow + iPad

Posted by Erin, the RobotGrrl on Tuesday, June 14th, 2011

Dogcow now works with the iPad without the use for a middleman in between! It goes straight from the App to the XBee for Dogcow to receive.

Here is a video explanation:

Or view the video on YouTube.

The process begins with an App using the ExternalAccessory framework:

Then goes through the SkyWire cable:

RS232 is converted to TTL:

Which is then sent through the XBee:

The XBee is powered by 3.3V, using an Arduino as a simple power supply haha:

And Dogcow receives with the XBee:

Making this whole process really cool!

Here are some resources that may be helpful:

• ExternalAccessory framework
• EADemo Code
• SkyWIre 30 pin to RS232 cable
• Sparkfun RS232 to TTL
• More photos on Flickr
• Also FYI, the baud rate is 9600 on the SkyWire cable

Also, as per Technote #31:

Dogcows, by their nature, are not all dog, nor are they all cow, but they are a special genetic hybrid. They are rarely seen in the wild. Since dogcows are two dimensional, they will stand facing a viewer “on edge” to avoid being seen.

Posted in: Projects, Robot.
Tags: App, Dogcow, ExternalAccessory, iPad, SkyWire, XBee

6 Responses to “Dogcow + iPad”

1. hjohnson Says:
   June 14th, 2011 at 7:49 PM

   I never thought about using the Diecimila 3.3V supply to power an Xbee, I suppose it does put out 50mA, which is (just) enough to power one. Did you have to use any power buffering capacitors besides the ones already present on the XBee adapter? (ala the huge capacitors on the the Tweet-A-Watt)

2. arufian Says:
   June 18th, 2011 at 12:53 PM

   It’s so cool .. I want it one
   do you have a will to publish your project to apps store and sell the equipments ?

3. bigfan Says:
   July 3rd, 2011 at 1:01 AM

   I dont see your app code listed on the helpful resources links, that would be very helpful

   Thanks

4. johnjeib Says:
   July 7th, 2011 at 3:36 AM

   unique huh?looking good dude

5. RobotGrrl.com » Blog Archive » RoboBrrd Food – Using the Redpark Serial Cable Says:
   July 21st, 2011 at 10:18 AM

   [...] a while ago, when I was able to send data through the MFi SkyWire cable? It turns out, now there is a cable designed for hobbyists, with an SDK, by Redpark! They were very [...]

6. Scheb Says:
   April 23rd, 2012 at 10:42 PM

   Ah, Clarus the dog cow… Good Times…

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