Making a robot can be an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s the perfect combination of creativity, engineering and problem solving. However, if you’re just getting started in robotics, it can also be overwhelming. To make things easier for those who are just starting out, we’ve put together some tips and tricks to help makers bring robots to life! From the basics of assembling your robot to software implementation, these pointers will give you everything you need to get started on your robotic adventure!
Here’s how to make a serial cable to control a Roomba with your Mac/PC. iRobot Roomba manufactured after October 2005 contain an electronic and software interface that allows you to control or modify Roomba’s behavior and remotely monitor its sensors. This interface is called the Roomba Serial Control Interface or Roomba SCI. When you’re done […]
Sony isn’t tops in many areas any longer, but they were one of the best in robot dogs and humanoid robot companion development. Now it seems those are going to get the axe (maybe they’d open source ’em? Good will and all?!)… “Continuing the restructuring in its electronics business, the company said it would end its Aibo robot line, stop development of its Qrio robot, stop development and manufacturing of plasma televisions, and stop selling in-car entertainment products in Japan. It will also kill its Qualia line of pricey, high-specification products.” [via] Link. Here are photos of some good times and memories with AIBOs and QRIOs. We will miss you guys.
Michael wrote up a special how to and guide for MAKE about a robot you can program and control over the web right now! – “Before you roll your eyes and tell me about all the other robots you’ve seen on-line and at robot shows, let me tell you why this one is different. You have to program it, or it won’t do anything. And by that I mean you ssh into the robot, write a program, compile it on the robot, and run it on the robot.” Here’s how it works and how to try it out…
This is an old project using a BASIC Stamp, but I still wanted to get it up here “Identifying color is easy with the new Texas Advanced Optical Systems TCS230 frequency to color sensor. This is a high-sensitivity low-noise light-to-voltage optical converter that incorporates on board blue, green, and red optical filters. The sensor combines a photodiode and an amplifier on a single monolithic CMOS integrated circuit with a color filter over the photodiode. What’s really neat about this sensor is that it provides standard RGB color values with 90% accuracy.” Link.
iRobot and Clorox team up to make the Scooba. Today, iRobot unveils its latest innovation– the iRobot Scooba(TM), the world’s first Robotic Floor Washer, at the D: All Things Digital Conference. Scooba, a next-generation robot, simultaneously vacuums, scrubs and dries hard floors– all at the touch of a button. Best known for the Roomba Robotic Floorvac, iRobot has driven the commercial robot revolution. Originating as a small MIT spin-off, the company has grown to a $95 million a year business with products shipping in 25 countries. Press release and big photo –
Matt Mets made this simple servo-controlled walking bot which uses a Barebones Arduino to walk, one leg at a time. Source code included. – Link.
Randy made his own version of the Bristlebot, but with a speaker and pull cord. Excellent, and with renewable propulsion! I like the little resistor antlers/feelers – Link. Related: HOW TO – Make a Bristlebot a tiny directional vibrobot made from a toothbrush! – Link. Bristlebot racing snail – Link.
