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Introduction

The ``iRobot Create communication library'' (or libirobot-create) provides a complete implementation of the Open Interface version 2 [2] in C++.

The iRobot Create [3] targets developers, educators and hobbyist. It eases the work by providing a pre-assembled plat-form and a set of accessories. However, no software is provided by iRobotcontrol the robot remotely.

This library supports:

Direct connection through a serial cable.
Bluetooth connection using a Bluetooth Adapter Module (BAM).

It allows complex software running on a remote computer to drive the robot.

The main drawback of the Bluetooth Adapter Modulethe time lag introduced by the wireless connection, the bluetooth range can also be a problem. If a cable is used, there is no lag but the robots' movements are limited.

**Figure 1.1:** Advantages and drawbacks of each conncetion.
$\begin{figure}\begin{center} \begin{tabular}{\vert c\vert c\vert c\vert} \hlin... ...00 meters (class 1 devices)\\ \hline \end{tabular} \end{center} \end{figure}$

If the robot has to be totally autonomous, a good solution may be to setup a small laptop on the robot and use a direct serial connection.

Important: iRobotsell a ``command module'' [1] which is a 8-bit, 18MHz microcontroller, this library does not support it.

The library, the documentation and all associated files are available on the project's homepage: https://savannah.nongnu.org/projects/libirobot-create/.

Next: Tutorial Up: iRobot Create library communication library Previous: Contents Contents

2008-08-29