Xaxxon

Oculus Autonomous Surveillance Mode

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:10:01 +0000

The recently introduced Oculus Telnet Programming Interface allows one to easily devise scripts that give the robot complex autonomous capabilities. We’ve come up with a Python program, that anyone with an Oculus can try, that puts the robot into surveillance mode when parked in the charging dock. Basic functionality is as follows:

While docked: run microphone, listen for loud noise
If a loud noise is heard: optionally send email alert, then back away from dock, and start up camera
Rotate through 360 degrees, stopping occasionally to watch if motion is detected by camera
If motion detected: send email alert
Return to charging dock
Go back into listening mode

The un-dock and rotate/motion-detect routine can also be defined to happen periodically, whether or not any sound is heard

If it detects darkness and the OcuLED light is attached, the light will be turned on. If someone logs into the robot via the web or mobile apps, the script will exit and wait until the user is logged out, so there will be no conflict for control.
Sound and motion sensitivity, and other settings, are set as variables at the top of the script.

To give it a try, follow these directions:

Update to the latest Oculus Java Server software via. the remote control web client software update (or download the full OCULUS JAVA package from here)
Install Python if you don’t already have it
Download the program file oculus_surveillance.py (right-click and ‘save as’)
Change the USER VARIABLES at the top of the file to the appropriate values (see comments next to each variable for explanation)
Setup your email settings if you haven’t already
Run Oculus Java server on the robot
Once it’s running and Oculus is in the charging dock, run ‘oculus_surveillance.py’ on the robot. (It’s difficult to execute a program on the laptop while it’s in the charging dock; you can either run it remotely using VNC or other remote desktop, OR run it while un-docked, login and dock the robot, then logout. The script will wait).

The complete script ‘oculus_surveillance.py’ (with syntax highlighting and extensive comments) can be viewed and downloaded from here

Xaxxon in The Economist

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:26:37 +0000

The Economist March 9, 2013 issue has a thorough article on the robotic telepresence market, in the Technology Quarterly section

“Telepresence robots are gradually getting cleverer. Some, like the Oculus, automatically dock themselves to a nearby charging station…”

Oculus Software Update featuring The Telnet Progamming Interface

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 09:53:24 +0000

The latest update to our Oculus-Java server software features the powerful Telnet Programming Interface. It allows programming and automation of the Oculus Robot using virtually any programming language that supports socket connections and text manipulation. Simple scripts can have complete control of the robot by conversing with the server using 70 Oculus Text Commands. A new Programming Oculus section has been added to the documentation, including some example scripts.

With the Telnet Interface you can, for example, write scripts that give Oculus automated surveillance capabilities with the new motion and noise detection command: setstreamactivitythreshold. If detects anything, it can send an email or post an item to the new Oculus RSS feed.

The update is available for download on our download site, or via. auto-update within the Oculus web-client (go to menu > server menu > check for software update).

New in Release Build 643

telnet interface incl. output tags, access to all text commands
‘help’ command with quick help for individual commands
‘oculus text command’ in advanced menu in web client
argument checking for commands, telnet interface
improved Linux com port discovery
Linux support for quit + restart,
Linux ‘speech’ command binds to espeak
Linux support for remote system volume, monitor/screensaver on/off
Linux support for auto software update
video activity (motion) threshold
audio activity threshold
‘getlightlevel’ command
‘email’ command using smtp server settings
‘analogwrite’ and ‘digitalread’ commands (ArduinOculus firmware v. 0.5.5+)
moved autodock vision to java (formerly in actionscript), speed improvements
improved autodock imaging, reduce false-positive dock detections when not visible
RSS feed, and ‘rssadd’ command
key binding ‘M’ to open/close menu in web client
bugfixes

Oculus TeleOperator iOS App Released

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:38:16 +0000

The Oculus TeleOperator app for iOS is now available for download from iTunes! It is a free app, designed for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. This version allows one-way audio and video, and snappy, real-time control of the robot and OcuLed headlight. The on-screen controls can be made ‘always visible’ (recommended for the iPad), by selecting ‘More’ from the main menu, and setting the ‘Controls Always Visible’ check box.

Extended functionality is available by sending Oculus text commands directly — go to the ‘More’ menu, and enter commands in the ‘Send Text Command’ box. A complete reference of commands is listed here.

Android users can download an equivalent version of this app at our google code site.

Xaxxon one of Entrepreneur Magazine's 100 Brilliant Companies 2012

Fri, 25 May 2012 12:05:32 +0000

Xaxxon Technologies made the top 100 list of Entrepreneur Magazine’s “annual look at the brightest ideas, the hottest industries and the most insightful innovators.” We’re under the Invention category

Oculus Software Update build 552

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:34:29 +0000

Updated Oculus server software is available for download on our download site, or via. auto-update within the Oculus web-client (go to menu > server menu > check for software update).

The most significant addition is OcuLED headlight integration. There are also tweaks to two-way video, taking advantages of the latest codecs in Flash plugin 11+.

Changes include:

Support for OcuLED light
Improved sound performance in Linux
Improved web-client video broadcasting with Flash 11+
Push to talk now optional
Preliminary support for remote-control iOS and Android AIR apps

Wood Robots

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:49:21 +0000

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There’s something immensely satisfying about building a robot out of… wood. Has civilization come full circle? Pictured above is the Oculus ROV, in laser-cut birch plywood. We had to tweak more than a few details for the design to translate from ABS to plywood, but the end result has turned out great.

We’re making these for our top-tier backers from our Kickstarter launch. Not sure if we’ll offer wood as a standard option—is there a market for wood robots? If you have any opinions, please let us know

Xaxxon on Front Page of the Wall Street Journal

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 20:04:51 +0000

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It’s only a mention, but we’ll take it! Xaxxon was on the FRONT PAGE of the WSJ weekend edition, in an article about telepresence. The article was subsequently featured on Slashdot. Robotic telepresence may not be mainstream yet, but it’s definitely gaining popularity, at an accelerating pace.

UPDATE 8/8/2012: Xaxxon mentioned again in a follow up WSJ article: My Life as a Telecommuting Robot

First Production Batch of Oculus Robots Shipped

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 12:44:43 +0000

We shipped out a whole bunch of Oculus Robots about a week ago; they should be starting to reach their destinations about now! We’re keeping the assembly line going, to fill orders for Oculus bots with lights — we’ll be starting to ship those in a few weeks.

Oculus Accessories Unleashed

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:25:42 +0000

OCULUS outfitted with light and Xtion 3d Sensor (zoom)

Production on the OcuLED Headlight Accessory is finally underway, and it’s now up for pre-order in our on-line store. This is a truly awesome add-on for Oculus. Complete details, including open-hardware circuit schematics for the Arduino-compatible PCB are here.

We’ve also fashioned a simple mounting bracket for the ASUS Xtion PRO and PRO Live 3D sensors. If you’re interested in one of these brackets, it will start shipping in a few weeks.
If you’re in North America, we’ve noticed ASUS has made the PRO Live variant available at newegg.com, with the price reduced to $160 – this is great news for Kinect/Primesense enthusiasts.
This sensor combined with Oculus is still recommended for developers only: Oculus software support is still only in the alpha stage, and ASUS seems to be marketing the Xtion Sensors towards developers only for now, as well.

Another great option for developers: if you want to enhance Oculus with advanced computer vision programming capabilities, we’re offering RoboRealm Computer Vision Software at a special reduced price if you combine your order with an Oculus ROV kit!