Xbox 360 controller dictates R/C racer on video

At this point, off-the-shelf Arduino microcontrollers aren't anything special, and honestly, neither is an Xbox 360 gamepad that manipulates them over USB. What is special, however, is the dedication that turned this unassuming R/C car into a reality-blurring 3D racing videogame. Like any Xbox 360 racer worth its salt, the triggers make this car stop and go, the left analog stick aims the front wheels, and the right stick offers full camera control. Though the wireless camera's a little wonky and the Bluetooth modem's range is limited, a video demonstration proves it capable of canine annoyance from an adjacent room. Think of the potential with a proper sidewalk racetrack... and some turtle shells. Video after the break, code to roll your own at the source link.

[TjK Posted Jun 8th 2010 3:39AM]

looks like something i would like to try myself just for kicks

[HorseToothedJackss Posted Jun 8th 2010 12:21PM]

@TjK
They should paint 3 of the tires red to represent the Red Rings of...
Awwww never mind!

[casper200519 Posted Jun 8th 2010 3:41AM]

Unfortunately I've seen this done with a PS3 (six-axis) controller and a remote controlled helicopter using the blue tooth on the PS3 controller and a cheap $5 blue tooth dongle with the code written in Unix. I am although honestly surprised that it has taken this long for Engadget to pick up on something like this since the 360 controllers have been able to be used on windows and linux-unix systems since Micro$oft released the wireless usb dongle for the controllers years ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPt6kRCE5TE

[Stotherd Posted Jun 8th 2010 3:46AM]

@casper200519
They're addressing the use of the controller to drive the car, not the controller and operating systems. It's a novelty piece to try and make it seem like they aren't all apple fanboys sitting by the door waiting for their free "review" iphone 4s.

[WiredEarp Posted Jun 8th 2010 3:53AM]

@casper200519 Neat. I dont think it will ever fly very well tho with a game controller. The analog sticks are not high enough resolution to fly easily with - try them in a decent rc flight sim, way harder than a 'real' controller.
I assume you have higher aims however and that the controller is just an early stage...

[montymintypie Posted Jun 8th 2010 3:44AM]

I really need to get myself an arduino...

[psych7111 Posted Jun 8th 2010 3:44AM]

Man that thing sure can pull some, 360s!

[FAP FAP FAP Posted Jun 8th 2010 3:53AM]

oh lawdeh...

[Stotherd Posted Jun 8th 2010 3:50AM]

I'm trying to pull something like this off, hoping to get it controlled over the net though. My design is largely base station controlled though, most of the electronics is on a tower unit, with the original radio transmitter, with just the camera and battery packs on the car. Should be cheaper and give it better range I think. Ultimate goal is to make it wifi/3G controlled.

[casper200519 Posted Jun 8th 2010 4:03AM]

@Stotherd Didn't mean to come across as I was saying any OS is better than others or the sort. I do understand that they are addressing driving the car with a controller though. I was just amazed that it was actually up there in the "Top News". I do understand what you are saying about the them waiting though.

@WiredEarp I've yet to try it myself as having most of my money tied up in computers and buying my kids toys that they can play with too, I've yet to take the money to buy a remote controlled helicopter to try it out. I found that video over a year ago when I was working on making the PS3 controller work with a couple of games in Windows... (Worked great for NFS btw).I do agree with it never being able to fly it with high precision as it would require a very much higher resolution analog controller. I do imagine once I get some time I will tweak around with what I have laying around my house and find a way to expand the range of the bluetooth on the 360 controller. I've successfully used a blue-tooth dongle from about 25 meters compared to the estimated 11m that you would normally get out of it.

[seventhapollo Posted Jun 8th 2010 4:05AM]

I can do you one better :)

FIRST Robotics team 1477 Texas Torque (of which I was a member) built a robot this year that was controlled using an Xbox 360 controller. This isn't an RC car, mind you - this is a 120-lb beast. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXZ1Zs-tNSg&feature=player_embedded

[darwiniandude Posted Jun 8th 2010 4:17AM]

Ok, so it's cool, but watch the steering part again. Looks very laggy, there must be quite a bit of latency between xbox controller -> code on PC -> bluetooth -> arduino

Pity.

[Bocefuss4500 Posted Jun 8th 2010 9:30AM]

@darwiniandude he's using a cheap r/c car not a hobby grade one the servo to turn wheels have notoriously bad transmission rates stock

[antipesto93 Posted Jun 8th 2010 4:29AM]

the mini DV camera is attached to that rotary thing, what is that called?

[bob e Posted Jun 8th 2010 4:51AM]

It just needs some onboard weaponry to makk it complete.
Nice work!

[thisNthat Posted Jun 8th 2010 5:43AM]

Now stick this to a Savage XL

[Bahumbug Posted Jun 8th 2010 6:07AM]

@thisNthat I wouldnt want that flakey controller on a savage tbh. Especially not a nitro savvy.

[elias Posted Jun 8th 2010 9:52AM]

Cool project. If I were him I'd setup a website and let strangers control it over the internet, Big Bang Theory style.

[airbag888 Posted Jun 8th 2010 10:18AM]

Arduino + Hummer set loose in a farm = PETA chicks undressing?