Originally I was just going to create a simple python program to take joystick input and pass it to a lora radio, essentially this would be nothing more than a long range rc car.  Then the idea grew.  I should definately be using ROS if for no other reason than for the kids to know what it looks like and what it can do.

Once that is set up it should make adding features to the tank a little easier.  Additionally, since my phone has a large number of sensors built in, it would be great to make an app that can be used as a "joystick", or be switched so that the phone can be mounted to the tank and provide video and other sensor data, while the tank is being controlled from a pc with a joystick.

This is going to be a long weekend, but bringing android into it should make this project a little more interesting.