USB controlled servos

[MadHatter]

I'm looking at possibly making a web controlled camera. Because I am very new to all of it I would just like to have them controlled via USB and then I can experiment with how to get them working correctly. From that point I can go on writing my application. I have found a board here that looks okay as far as I can tell, but it seems to be windows only. http://www.robotstore.com/store/product.asp?pid=676&catid=1563

I'd really like to have it linux based if possible. Anyone have any idea on some USB controllers like the one listed above that would meet these requirements? Also any specific servos to get started with? Any point in the right direction is good. Thanks!

 

[chopsuwe]

Parallax micros are pretty common so I'd be surprised if someone hasn't already written a driver for Linux for it. At a guess servos for a radio controlled car would work fine.

 

[agent420]

While I found some USB Servo controllers with Linux drivers, they appear less common and more expensive than the PC variety.

Perhaps an alternative would be to use std RS232 serial rather than usb, but you would still need to locate a control program or create one yourself.

 

[elektronisch]

http://www.arduino.cc

Fairly cheap in the states, around $35. Open source/hardware!

 

[agent420]

The Arduino is a good suggestion, but it bears mentioning that as a microcontroller platform it is a bit different solution to the problem... Certainly it could be used to perform the task, but you have to create a firmware program for the hardware in addition to any pc software you want to interface to. It is roughly equal to a Basic Stamp type of development platform. Not that that is a bad thing.

Actually, if you are interested in this type of thing, I would 2nd the DIY microcontroller suggestion, either with the Arduino or similar. The dedicated servo boards are pretty much just pre-programmed commercial versions of some kind of ucontroller anyway.