Twitter Race


Here's what I've been planning for Howduino. The hardware side isn't that complicated (at least I don't think it is!) because I've only had the Arduino for a little over week and want to make sure I get something working.

 

  1. Two people each choose a search term or user on Twitter.
  2. A script uses the Twitter API to create two timelines for the term/user (the timelines will be created in advance of the race.)
  3. The radio controls of two cheap RC cars are connected to the Arduino, and their forward motors are triggered whenever their respective signal is received.
  4. The signals are generated by a script on a laptop which runs through the timeline and sends messages to the Arduino via serial whenever a post occured. (If I can upload the full timeline data to the Arduino I won't need the serial.)
  5. The person whose car crosses the line first is the winner!

     

I should be able to code this up beforehand (just interfacing with Processing) and then I can hook it up to some RC cars on the day. I've already bought one of these Mazda RX8s from Argos, and it looks hackable. They also have a Subaru on a different frequency. I've ordered an L293D motor controller as suggested by Thom, but I don't think I will need it if I just hook up the forward switch of the radio control, as in this example. I've noticed oomlout has already posted about a Remote Control Car Retrofit, so I hope to get some advice in that area. I'd also like to hook the circuit up to a sliding potentiometer, which will slow down or speed up the race, but that will only be possible if I upload all of the timeline data to the Arduino.

 

Another possibility would be a Twitter fight, in which the objects hit each other rather than race! But it might not be as dramatic.

 

Race ideas (feel free to suggest any)