Robotics

[Warmaster199]

Hello there fellow roboticists... I have made this thread for anyone interested in the field of robotics. First off... Here are some useful links:

http://www.arrick.com Arrick Robotics... contains a nice list
http://www.beam-online.com BEAM robots(no controllers - neat)
http://www.mrrobot.com Robot supplies
http://www.goldmine-elec.com Electronic Goldmine(Electronic parts)

Many robots can be built with something called a microcontroller. I microcontroller is a single-chip solution for most robot projects. Most of them are programmed via a serial cable connected to the back of your PC. Once you finish programming them, you may disconnect the serial cable. Here are some of the most common microcontrollers along with the language they are programmed in:

BASIC Stamp(1&2) BASIC/QBASIC
68HC11xxxx ASM/C/C++
OOPIC Visual Basic 5/6
PIC controllers ASM/C/C++
COP8xxxxxxxx ASM(and C?)

These are only a few of the controllers available. There really are many more to choose from. Most of the above can be networked together so you can control more things! For beginners, I recommend the BASIC Stamps(BASIC, 16 I/O lines) or the OOPIC(VBasic, 32 I/O lines, I2C bus).

For robot locomotion(movement), use servo motors. These are expensive motors($20-$200) and have control circuitry built in. The control circuitry can be annoying as it can constrict the motor's moveability. These are mean't to be that way as they are for remote-control aircraft. There is a tutorial on the BEAM site showing how the remove this circuitry so that the servo acts as a normal motor with VERY HIGH TORQUE. A $20 servo can spin ~5LBs worth of wieght on it's axis. The more expensive one's are bigger and can lift even more wieght.

For sensors, you can use anything(almost)! Use light sensors to go towards light, ultra-sonic transducers to stop bumping into walls, CCD Cameras so you can see where the robot is, touch sensors...

Anyways, anyone interested in robots, post here... Even if you have a project going and need help

[Sastraxi]

Definately some cool info there, Warmaster!

I'm at the OOPic homepage right now, checking prices

[BitBlt]

Do you know where i can get plans for Stiquito ?

[Warmaster199]

I tried looking on the net, and here's what I came up with: a book. Sorry, probably not what you're looking for.

[BitBlt]

I also found the book, but i don't have a credit card, and there aren't any bookstores in South Africa that sell that kind of thing.
thnx anyway!