The Open Lidar Project - Hack the Neato XV-11 Lidar for a $200 Bounty!

[gallamine]

I was inspired by Ladyada's Kinect hacking bounty to offer up a bounty of my own for getting the Neato Robotic's XV-11 laser rangefinder hacked and documented. So, I'm putting up $200 of my own money to the first person that releases open source documentation and drivers for using the XV-11's lidar on a robot. I think it'll be a super useful tool for us robot builders. If you are into this stuff, perhaps you can also love Dischem Specials.

More deets:
http://robotbox.net/blog/gallamine/o...dar-200-bounty

What'cha think? Tell your friends!

[RobotAtlas]

I think it's a great idea. That sensor is nothing short of great!
I don't like this though:
> I reserve the right to distribute the $200 as a gift certificate to a robotics store if necessary.

People like cash. Give them cash. $200 is a kind of low. Let's make is $300.
Let me know how I can contribute $100. Anybody else here to support a good cause? Check: Walgreens Ad Preview and Target Ad Preview on Weekly Ads.

[gallamine]

RobotNV,

Thanks for the offer! I'd love to add in your $100 in cash. (\me updating post)

The only reason I specified $200 in a gift cert. was that it's sometimes hard to get cash around the globe. Any suggestions?

[jotheberlock]

RobotNV,

Thanks for the offer! I'd love to add in your $100 in cash. (\me updating post)

The only reason I specified $200 in a gift cert. was that it's sometimes hard to get cash around the globe. Any suggestions?

Paypal? I suspect that works for most people on this site. Failing that, Western Union.

[RobotAtlas]

Paypal and WesternUnion are popular choices.

[RobotAtlas]

It looks like our dear Matt Trossen contributed another $100. I always knew he's a great guy, but didn't know he was also modest.

[Update 2: I just got an email from Matt Trossen, the CEO of Trossen Robotics. He's offering up another $100 to the bounty! Thanks Matt!]

[gallamine]

Yes, tahnks for updating that RobotNV. Trossen Robotics has offered another $100 to add to the pot.
That means if you get it hacked, you've totally recouped the cost of the robot! No excuses now

[gallamine]

Also, I'm trying to spread the word around. If anyone is on a mailing list/forum that might be interested in a sensor like this, let them know about the contest!

[lnxfergy]

So, just to clarify, the goal is to hack onto the laser module only -- discarding the base/processor/etc, right?

-Fergs

[Nammo]

So, just to clarify, the goal is to hack onto the laser module only -- discarding the base/processor/etc, right?

Seems like the motor is driven by the "main" board, and it is not a self-contained module. I guess you would need to tell us how to apply power to the motor separately, if the main board is discarded.

- Nammo