Hot News !

If you have ever thought that it would be great to be able to connect a PIC based development board to an Android mobile or Tablet - Dream no more!

The Android 3.1 platform (also backported to Android 2.3.4) introduces Android Open Accessory support, which allows external USB hardware to interact with an Android-powered device in a special "accessory" mode.

Google have released this functionality called the Android Open Accessory toolkit that will allow PBP developers to use open source hardware interfaces like AMICUS18 to connect multiple input devices to almost any Android system.

Like other AMICUS18 developments, PBP users can leverage off the widely available Arduino Shields, one such product is the Android Accessory Demo Shield from RT Corporation , This new shield enables PBP developers tomwork witht he AMICUS18 to create real world solutions incorporating sensors, displays, motors, and robotics that interface directly to Android mobiles and tablets.

The shield is based upon the Google Android reference design and includes the ability to interface with a wide range of sensors and control output devices like LEDs and motors.
　 Previous Android designs focused on physical world interaction depended primarily on Bluetooth interface technology. That approach was often limited by wireless connectivity issues and inherent latency concerns. This caused problems in applications where real-time sensing and control are critical factors.
　
To address those limitations, the RT-ADK/RT-ADS design features on-board USB and computer interfaces allowing direct and reliable connection with smart phones and other Android (release 2.3.4 or later) based devices, as well as compatibility with the Arduino world and Thus AMICUS18 and PBP