Camera robot Rovio

Post by **Post-IT** » Thu May 21, 2009 11:09 pm

I've been looking around for camera's in my new appartment, but I don't like the extra cables, and the extra cost for PTZ add ons.

So I found this security like robot from Wowwee: The Rovio.

http://www.wowwee.com/en/products/tech/ ... ovio:rovio

It seems to have an interface which would allow HS integration using a webbased interface or python. Such as activate patrol sequence when alarm is armed, continuous image capturing when alarm is triggered, etc.

Does anyone have any experience with Rovio?

P.S. They seem pretty affordable through eBay (205 EUR).

Post by **Noel** » Thu May 21, 2009 11:14 pm

Nice.. have a look here: http://www.domoticaforum.eu/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1442

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Post by **drmacchi** » Thu May 21, 2009 11:16 pm

i would like to buy it. there're some other topics about it in this forum. 2 questions. do you have the link with that price (very good...). how would you integrate in HS? thanks. lorenzo

Post by **Post-IT** » Thu May 21, 2009 11:30 pm

Sorry, I should have done a search before posting, totally forgot that.

Here are the links:
http://cgi.ebay.nl/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie ... egory=4616
http://cgi.ebay.nl/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie ... tegory=232

Furthermore, I noticed the WEP issue is solved in the current firmware.

Info in the API can be found here:
http://www.robocommunity.com/downloads/ ... s_v1.2.pdf
This would allow HS integration using HTTP command and invoking actions through the network.

Post by **b_weijenberg** » Thu May 21, 2009 11:33 pm

Is this not an option?
http://www.domoticaforum.eu/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2770

The Ninja/Robocam can be used with any light weight camera. The beta version RFXCOM plug-in for Homeseer can control the Ninja. The Ninja has 4 preset positions. And can be controlled using the left,right,up,down buttons in Homeseer

The 310MHz transmitter can control the US Ninja's and the 433.92MHz RFXmitter can control the EU Ninja/Robocam.

Post by **Bwired** » Thu May 21, 2009 11:41 pm

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Post-IT
 Sorry, I should have done a search before posting, totally forgot that.

Here are the links:
http://cgi.ebay.nl/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie ... egory=4616
http://cgi.ebay.nl/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie ... tegory=232

Furthermore, I noticed the WEP issue is solved in the current firmware.

Info in the API can be found here:
http://www.robocommunity.com/downloads/ ... s_v1.2.pdf
This would allow HS integration using HTTP command and invoking actions through the network.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I think I order one, in the Nethelands this device is way more expensive!

Post by **drmacchi** » Fri May 22, 2009 11:13 am

Really good. I'd like to order one. How is the procedure in NL on receiving stuff from USA? How much do you pay for Zoll , land taxes..? Lorenzo

Post by **Bwired** » Fri May 22, 2009 11:51 am

A lot, i'm not sure, it's around 20%

Post by **drmacchi** » Fri May 22, 2009 1:00 pm

Another thing ! USA voltage is 110v, european 220v ..... what about the power supply ? (shape adapter is required, but voltage?)

Post by **drmacchi** » Fri May 22, 2009 1:03 pm

@ Bert, you say that with an RFXCOM receiver and its HS plugin we can immediatly control Rovio robot?

Post by **Snelvuur** » Fri May 22, 2009 1:11 pm

@drmacchi: he was referring to the robocam (not rovio)

Also from the US, you can just get a adapter and it will work just fine..

// Erik (binkey.nl)

Post by **Snelvuur** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 1:52 pm

to revive one..

i got one.. just for phun.. overall the movement is normally not straight, you have to adjust a lot to get a straight path on the gui. The installer does not work with windows 7 64 bits and firefox does not allow microphone/speaker support towards the rovio.

Internet explorer does allow you to talk / hear from the rovio but i only got the hearing part working since i have more mics in my computer it picks the wrong one and there is no option to select which microphone the rovio gui should use (bummer too)

Overall it works as expected but the louzy support of only IE with no selection of inputs to use and the lack of windows 7 64 bits support i would not recommend it to others (i mean this thing is out there for a long time these issues should have been fixed by now)

Just playing with it to terrorise the dog is pretty fun

Post by **Post-IT** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 11:47 pm

Sound cool. Too bad about the bugs...

how about range? Is it really that short ranged for auto pilot trips?

Post by **Snelvuur** » Sun Mar 07, 2010 9:54 pm

i have not set auto trips.. but if you dont have those IR lights on the ceiling it doesn't really work that well.. you need extenders (extra lights on the ceiling) to show a path to it. But roaming around on your own goes fine as long as wifi is working..

Post by **MindBender** » Sun Apr 18, 2010 6:59 pm

I have ordered my Rovio 6 weeks ago. When I received it, it didn't receive any navigation signal. A little research and inspection with an Infra Red surveillance camera showed me that the built-in NorthStart beacon of the base was emitting only 1 spot on the ceiling. The second one was broken. Fortunately my supplier was very helpful in replacing it with a brand new one.

Last week I have received this replacement Rovio. Unfortunately this one is broken too. This unit's left front wheel is working properly. It lags behind, start moving too late and too slow. With short movements - as used when operating it remotely, or used by Rovio's own navigation - the wheel doesn't move at all! See also the movie I have made on this problem:

Dead On Arrivals are quite rare nowadays. Double occurrences even more. Rovio is marketed as a high-tech high-quality remote-presence utility. But in my experience it's just a sad cheaply built toy. Photos found on the internet of it's interior confirm this.

Rovio's are dumped onto the market everywhere now. They appear on 1DayFly and nearly all on-line shops are offering them at a 20% discount, so you may be tempted, but bear in mind that the quality may disappoint you.

Edit: Video embedded

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