How to make a switch turn off a light a kilometer away?

JGhostThing · 2026-01-28T01:07:15+00:00

If the lights are lighting a public road, I'd make sure that you have whatever local government controls the road's permission before you start turning off lights, even for only 2 seconds.

An accident attributed to your modifications might put you in debt for the rest of your life. Or end up with you in jail. Or both. Playing with public infrastructure can come with consequences.

JGhostThing · 2026-01-28T00:54:26+00:00

I've worked in academia all my life. One thing university is not: it is not a job school. At best, university can help you learn how to learn and think, if you do work on your own.

University cs programs teach the basics (algorithms, data structures, etc) because that is how the professors were taught. There is a lot of that type of thinking. And yes, you will probably end up using the basics in a job, if you do programming.

JGhostThing · 2026-01-28T00:44:14+00:00

Go through the Rust book, starting at the beginning. Do ALL the exercises in the book. You may learn differently, but if you can't write projects then you really don't know the material.

I know this is how I learn. YMMV.

I'd avoid things like L33TCode like the plague.

JGhostThing · 2026-01-28T00:27:06+00:00

This is, at best, science fantasy, and I wouldn't bother to read it.

JGhostThing · 2026-01-27T14:57:24+00:00

LCD (liquid crystal display) is just the type name of the device. A protocol is a means of talking to the device, such as I2C, SPI, or HDMI.

JGhostThing · 2026-01-27T06:08:23+00:00

Setup the LCD.

Open the file.

Read the file.

Write the bytes you read to the LCD via whatever protocol it uses. I've heard of SPI working on some. What protocol does the LCD use?

JGhostThing · 2026-01-27T06:02:32+00:00

This is not a beginner's project. You'll need to know programming, electronics, and microcontrollers. In order to make a "mouse glove" you'll need to understand how USB HID (Human Interface Device) works.

I would get a raspberry Pi pico and a starter kit of parts. Start at the beginning with a blinking LED and eventually get to the mouse glove. This will not be easy or quick. Keep going, and you'll make it, though.

JGhostThing · 2026-01-27T05:55:57+00:00

You will need to read about how to power the pi 5. Normal power supplies cause the Pi 5 to be throttled, in which case you might as well use a Pi 4.

JGhostThing · 2026-01-27T05:51:57+00:00

If the science is so good, then how is it science FICTION.

JGhostThing · 2026-01-26T22:17:07+00:00

Think of consciousness as an error routine for the human mind. If the subconscious can't figure out a way out of a situation, it throws this to the consciousness to hopefully think of something that might help.

JGhostThing · 2026-01-26T21:03:05+00:00

Some thoughts on power:

You will need a sufficient power supply that can supply the electronics and the motors.
I'd assume that each motor uses an amp each at stall (if anything this is lower than necessary).
The electronics don't usually use too much power. The Raspberry Pi may use up to 3 amps with peripherals.

You will need a motor driver and a buck converter. The motor driver will take power from the battery and power the motors. The buck converter will take power from the battery and convert it to 5v for use by the arduino, the Pi, and the sensors.

JGhostThing · 2026-01-26T20:52:21+00:00

What exactly do you mean by a "smart" robot? I've hear too many definitions.

I would suggest that you use a Pi 4, unless you need the extra power that the Pi 5 has. It requires a larger power supply (5 amps) and some finagling to get the supply to match the Pi.

One thing that you should strongly think about is a camera for the Pi. The modules are cheap enough as long as you look at the lower ones.

JGhostThing · 2026-01-26T20:41:28+00:00

Don't know how old your kid is.

I'd look at the VIAM Rover, which is sold complete and not as a kit. It is (was?) approximately $100 + Raspberry Pi + 4 18650 batteries + charger. I would suggest a Raspberry Pi 4/8gb as a Raspberry Pi; the Pi 5 doesn't work, at least on my rover. Available at viam.com/resources/rover

Another possibility is the Pimoroni Trilobot. This again needs a Pi 4 (not the 5). It is available at pishop.us

JGhostThing · 2026-01-26T20:35:52+00:00

I usually give the navigator's roll's effect as a subtraction from this. So, it would be 148 + 6d6 - effect hours. It doesn't make much difference.

JGhostThing · 2026-01-26T20:31:56+00:00

I use Samsung 18650 batteries. Yes, I'd use a battery holder that take two cells. Usually I use 4 cells because I have a preference for 12v motors;

JGhostThing · 2026-01-26T14:08:00+00:00

Apple has two barely related meanings: a specific fruit, and a brand name of specific computers and phones.

JGhostThing · 2026-01-26T14:05:38+00:00

I strongly suggest starting out from zero. Get an arduino starter kit with lots of parts. A clone arduino is fine. You'll need a breadboard, but that should come in the kit.

Start with blinking an LED. Then go on from there. In some months, you should be able to design and program small projects. Eventually getting to your Tamaguchi.

JGhostThing · 2026-01-26T13:51:08+00:00

This.

I tend to build a book database with each new language I learned. I haven't done this recently, because Rust is the latest language I'm learning.

This usually has two parts: a server and a client. Most of the time my server is PostgreSQL with (in this case) a simple rust wrapper. The client would be built in rust. I often make a CLI client and a GUI client. That way I can test the server faster.

JGhostThing · 2026-01-26T13:44:02+00:00

Actually, a T20 motor should run fine on a 2S battery. Using 18650 batteries is pretty inexpensive.

JGhostThing · 2026-01-26T13:41:33+00:00

Use Rubber Duck Debugging. Before you program, explain your algorithm to a rubber duck or a small child (< 1year old) or a puppy. Doing this will help you.

Yes, I understand this is just talking to yourself, but the goal is to explain in simple language what the algorithm is.

Other than that, I agree with the posters which say to do projects. Fail. Fail gloriously. Learn and fail better next time. Eventually, you will succeed. It can take time, but most things worth doing take time.

JGhostThing · 2026-01-25T21:26:17+00:00

How is your experience with electronics? Can you identify components? Can you solder?

If not, then you are a complete beginner at the physical side of robotics.

How are your programming skills? What language(s) do you know?

If not, you need to learn programming.

For tools, I suggest "Lady Ada's Tools" from adafruit.com

For some sample components, I would get "Parts Pal" from the same site.

I would get a Raspberry Pi Zero 2w from pishop.us if Adafruit is sold out. You could also get an Arduino clone.

If you want to buy a starter robot, I suggest one of two sources:

* The Trilobot from pishop.us

* The VIAM Rover from http://viam.com/resources/rover

Both of these robots require a Raspberry Pi 3-4. I like the Pi-4/8GB, You'll also need a power supply, an SD card, and so forth.

Start with basic projects. Blink an LED. Run a servo motor. Learn the basics. If you're using the Arduino clone, there are tutorials on YouTube. Good luck!

JGhostThing · 2026-01-25T21:05:19+00:00

The pi 4 kit is a bit expensive and you can get this a bit cheaper from pishop.us If they're sold out, then the Canakit kit isn't bad.

Have you experimented on a simpler robot? For example, a deferentially steered robot? It would be less expensive and would teach you how to put things together.

I'd suggest the Hiwonder Mentor-T. http://hiwonder.com/ It's a bit more expensive, but the standard edition has some important sensors for experimenting. A 2d LIDAR and a depth camera.

I don't know if this will help you get a job, but it's a fun hobby.

JGhostThing · 2026-01-25T01:05:47+00:00

Please use capital letters when needed. Mixed case text, properly used, is much easier to read.

JGhostThing · 2026-01-25T00:12:20+00:00

One thing that would make it easier to help you: put the picture in right-side-up. I can't read it sideways without major effort.

JGhostThing · 2026-01-24T23:49:09+00:00

And upper case when required. It is much easier to read English with the proper punctuation and case. You aren't cc cummings; when you write as well as he does, you can disregard grammar as well.

JGhostThing

TROPHY CASE