up vote 5 down vote favorite
share [g+] share [fb]

Many times I want my computer to interface old hardware. Such as radio, light switch, etc. This mostly involves pushing pressing and moving various buttons and switches.

I don't want to buy new hardware I want my computer to interface the old hardware I already have.

I thought about it and reached to the conclusion that what I need is a general purpose button-pusher hardware.

I need a simple device I can interface by a computer and would be able to push most of the buttons we have in daily accessories, without damaging the button.

Is there any such accessory availible?

link|improve this question
62% accept rate
2  
quite possibly the oddest question i've seen here. – quack quixote Oct 24 '09 at 22:43
1  
@~quack that's why I tagged it weird ;-) – Elazar Leibovich Oct 25 '09 at 5:28
feedback

6 Answers

up vote 0 down vote accepted

I think the simplest answer would be to use a hobby servo with a usb servo controller.

link|improve this answer
feedback
up vote 2 down vote

What I did for an emergency button pusher: 1)A bit of cardboard 2)Sticky Tape

Roll the cardboard up, stick it to your CD drive. On windows, use something like NirCmd to automate opening and closing your CD drive. Perfect!

It's hardly a permanent solution, but if we're talking short-term pushing, I think it's pretty neat.

For a permanent solution, I'd look into a USB-servo motor or something, you could do a lot with that.

link|improve this answer
Very ingenuous. Otherwise, the guy will probably need to go for a simple robotics kit, which is a much heavier solution. – harrymc Oct 24 '09 at 20:27
Ah, but think of what you could do with it all! Your PC making you a cup of tea in the morning wouldn't be so far fetched any more! :D – Phoshi Oct 24 '09 at 20:32
1  
Yes, ejecting the CD/DVD drive seems to be the common method for these types of things. – Teddy Oct 24 '09 at 21:29
Built in to every modern PC, a truly universal solution! – Phoshi Oct 24 '09 at 21:44
1  
CD drive would not be "strong" enough to push for example, the power button on some old computers, for example, on my 386. I like the approach, though. – ldigas Oct 25 '09 at 0:22
show 2 more comments
feedback
up vote 0 down vote

I've never used it, but doesn't Lego make a robot kit that you could use to build manipulators to accomplish this?

link|improve this answer
Maybe, but (1) I think it's pretty expensive and I need only the motor, (2) see above comment that motor isn't enough. – Elazar Leibovich Oct 25 '09 at 5:30
feedback
up vote 0 down vote

$280 will get you the latest LEGO Mindstorms robotics kit. The kit includes lots of Technic lego pieces - not your father's rectangular brick LEGOs.

This definitely qualifies as a "General purpose button pushing hardware" - there are some pieces which are made of rubber that can be used to press buttons. It's pretty straightforward to design various button-pushers using the motors and parts that come with the kit. The motors can report their position so it's possible to know when they've "stalled" because they've pushed a button to it's physical limit. It's easy to have the motors go slow enough that the force on the buttons is quite well managed.

ALSO the controller can talk to your computer either via USB or via Bluetooth. So it's possible to have a LEGO robot, for example, lock and unlock a physical restraint for a sliding glass door without having to run a cable down to the corner of the door.

If you're at all into robotics you won't regret the investment.

P.S. Can you tell I'm a LEGO-Mindstorms-Maniac? :-)

link|improve this answer
Oh I forgot to mention there are also "touch sensors" that can be used to know when something's gotten to a certain position. This helps with certain problem spaces; you can have 2 "fingers" - one presses a button of your choice, the other presses a touch sensor. That way your program can stop the motor when the touch sensor is pressed... somewhat easier than the "motor position" solution I mentioned above. – pbr Dec 3 '09 at 4:26
feedback
up vote 0 down vote

You might check out Make magazine, if you haven't already -- LOTS of sources for things like this. Online, they also have the Maker SHED (can't link -- new user here -- but it's on the top of their mendu).

link|improve this answer
feedback
up vote 0 down vote

For a budget solution in a grungy scenario, you might try the ITAPPMONROBOT.

link|improve this answer
feedback

Your Answer

 
or
required, but never shown

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.