What do I need to control multiple linear servos to push buttons from a raspberry pi? [closed]

Question

Let’s say I have a remote like this below.

remote

If I buy multiple linear servos like these and want to assign each to one button to push, what are the things I need to set it all up?

linear servo

Here are what I can think of..

separate power source (e.g. 5v / 12v)
linear servo
motor driver board?

If there are smarter solutions to push physical buttons with a raspberry pi, I would also like to know.

Thanks

A rpi controlled device. Since I can’t brake the device open, I need to physically push the buttons. — kukrt, May 17 at 13:23
you can teach RPI to mimic the remote control. check the “second alternative” in my answer below — andrej, May 17 at 13:27
The remote controller is an example. The devise buttons have to be pressed physically from rpi. — kukrt, May 17 at 13:32

andrej · Answer 1 · 2019-05-17 13:38:41Z

what’s the goal? An remote control robotic tester or an RPI controlled device?

Regarding the first one you will need the servo to move things in physical world. Here https://tutorials-raspberrypi.com/raspberry-pi-servo-motor-control/ is the one of many tutorials.

For the second you can buy infrared receiver (to detect what does the remote control sends when you press desired key) and infrared transmitter to mimic the same data to target.

tlfong01 · Answer 2 · 2019-05-18 03:53:04Z

Question

Push remote button to control liner servo using Rpi software

Answer

The answer is in two parts:

How to use universal remote controller buttons to control Rpi.

How to use Rpi python program to PWM control linear servo.

For the remote controller part using Rpi, I found the following instructable the best, with very detailed instructions. I have also included some remote controller and infra red emitter and receiver datasheets in the references below.

Raspberry Pi Zero Universal Remote Instructable – bbtinkerer, instructables 2018

For the linear servo part, I only found the following tutorial good, except using Arduino.

Arduino Controlling Linear Servos Tutorial

I found the control method for standard servo and liner servo are more or less the same, using PWM, except with different width specs (standard servo 0.9~2.1mS, linear servo 0.4~2.4mS). Therefore the Rpi python PWM control functions for standard servos can be used without any modification, for linear servos, just changing the width parameters. The post below contains a complete listing of my fully debugged Rpi python PWM functions for controlling both standard servo and linear servos.

Rpi PWM Servo Control using GPIO – tlfong01

PCA9685 16 Channel PWM Driver

And in case you don’t have enough Rpi GPIO going around entertain all your linear servos, you can consider asking PCA9685 16 channel PWM driver for help.