WowWee Rovio Video Script
Below is the text of the video script. Note, the Robodance Rovio WiiMote interface does have the Nudge Mode talked about below. But that part of the video, and the part where I show Rovio’s web interface responding to the WiiMote button presses, was cut out because it was too lengthy.:
WowWee Rovio Controlled by Nintendo Wii Remote (WiiMote) - First Rovio Hack/Mod Ever
(Big notice that WiiMote control is not a stock feature of Rovio)
This is Rovio, WowWee's sleek new space age home and office surveillance robot.
(Show Rovio)
This is the Nintendo Wii Remote control, also known as the WiiMote, and is the revolutionary gaming console remote that has changed the world.
(Show WiiMote)
What could be cooler than the hottest robot of the year or the hottest remote control of the year? The two of them together. In this video I will show you how to use the WiiMote, with the help of a Bluetooth capable PC and a free software program called Robodance, to control my Rovio spy robot from anywhere in the world I have a web connection. Note, you do not need a Nintendo Wii game console, just the WiiMote.
This is WowWee's web browser based interface for the Rovio. The interface also runs on many smart phones, laptops, and tablet PC's too, with varying differences in appearance, but this is how the Web Interface looks on a desktop PC. This area is the robot navigation pad. These four arrows move it forward backward, sideways to the left and sideways to the right and these two arrows turn the Rovio left and right. Clicking the Headlight icon turns Rovio's headlight on and off. Clicking the Camera icon takes a snapshot of Rovio's current view and sends it to your E-mail account. Clicking on the Home icon sends Rovio to his charging dock for recharging which I'll show you later. There are a lot more features to the interface which I'll show you in another video,s ince WowWee did such a terrific job with it, but now it's time for the good stuff.
(Interleave demo)
This is the Nintendo Wii Remote. I have mapped the buttons to the Rovio's different movements like this. The four points of the directional pad are mapped to Rovio's forward, backward, sideways left, and sideways right. The Plus button turns Rovio left and the Minus button turns him right. The Home button sends Rovio back to his charging dock. The 1 button takes a picture and the 2 button toggles Rovio's headlight on and off.
(Interleave demo)
This time I'll put the camera on the interface as I press the WiiMote buttons. Notice how they change appearance as if the mouse was clicking them instead of the WiiMote. This provides valuable visual feedback that lets you know everything is working properly.
(demo)
Here's another very powerful feature I added to the WiiMote interface. I'm using the A button on the WiiMote as a SHIFT button which changes the Rovio actions triggered by the WiiMote button presses, just like the SHIFT button on your keyboard. Pressing the A button puts you in what I call NUDGE mode.
(Title: NUDGE MODE)
When you are trying to line up a person's face or perhaps an object with Rovio's camera remotely, the ability to make small reliable precise movements is critical. In the NUDGE MODE, almost all the buttons execute the same movement as in NORMAL MODE, except that the movements are a lot smaller. This makes lining up the camera much easier. Note, you can always tell which mode you are in by looking at the Blue LED lights. If they are blinking all together like this you are in NORMAL MODE:
(Show normal mode LEDs)
If the are blinking 2 at a time then you are in SHIFTED MODE:
(Show shifted mode LEDs)
The only difference in the button assignments is with the Home, 1, and 2 buttons. In NUDGE MODE, they each put Rovio's camera in one of it's three different positions:
(Show camera positions).
Finally, if you don't like how the buttons are assigned you can change them to any Rovio operation you like using the WiiMote Map editor included with the program. You can even assign one of the patrol routes you created for Rovio or a script that you made yourself that contains different Rovio operations. Check our web site for a lot more information on Rovio and Robodance.
Before I go I want to point out why I love Rovio so much. Rovio is not a glorified remote control car like so many other robots are. Rovio is smart. Damn smart. Rovio can drive itself thanks to its Northstar navigation system. Before I go I just wanted to show you this autonomous sci-fi intelligence in action.
Watch Rovio as I tell it to go home and recharge. It's lifting its camera to the ceiling because it is looking for two invisible infrared beams that it uses to guide itself, just like the sailors of old did when they used the North Star in the night sky to find their way home. See the small adjustments it is making to align itself with the charging dock? And now, one final push to lock itself into place. Success! That intelligent driving is what make Rovio, well awesome, but on a practical note, ensures Rovio's usefulness in those places you don't have a good web connection. Driving a remote vehicle under those circumstances can be impossible. But you don't care. Rovio can drive itself!
Conclusion with title screens
Now you can control your Rovio robot from nearly anywhere in the world you have a web connection and a suitable web browser with your Nintendo Wii Remote control using Robodance, the free software program for advanced robot control. Please visit our web site RobotsRule.com for important security tips regarding Rovio and other cool tips and tricks. Visit Robodance.com to find out more about Robodance and sign up for our valuable newsletter while you're there. Thanks for watching.
CREDITS
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Note: You do not need a Nintendo Wii to control Robodance with the Wii Remote, just the remote and a wireless Bluetooth adapter for your PC.
