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A Fully Programmable Mobile Robot
paxmaniac writes "iRobot has announced Create: a new fully programmable mobile robot based on the Roomba robotic vacuum cleaner. People have been hacking the Roomba since the day it came out. Well, hacking just got a whole lot easier. A command module for the Create provides a programmable 8-bit Atmel micro controller, four DB-9 ports for your own sensors, and a number of sample programs that can be compiled and uploaded to the command module via USB. Botmag has more details and some cool applications. This looks like the perfect robotics platform for hobbyists, schools, and universities alike."
As neat as this is, I was sort of disappointed to find out it's a mobile disc like Roomba. I still have sci-fi dreams of androids and other human-like robots. Not to say this isn't cool or that I won't be buying one in a few years time when my kid is old enough for some father-son geek projects. But I still wanted it to be more human-like.
Start a happiness pandemic
so... is this going to merge with the realdoll project?
Why UNIX?
This looks like the perfect robotics platform for hobbyists, schools, and universities alike.
I thought that was the ED-209?
The theory of relativity doesn't work right in Arkansas.
They even have a little expandability, so that you can add more hardware to them. I think this device is a champ. Add a PDA with USB host capabilities and you've got a lot of power and reconfigurability, too.
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
One giant leap towards serious PC-like robotics. Robots won't get out of the factories and into our homes in any really big way unless they develop more platforms like this. Easy(ier) to customize, modular designs allow more people access to them, speeding up market acceptance, boosting industry innovation and generally benefit the field. Lego Mindstorms also comes to mind as a good trend.
Demented But Determined.
I always thought that Lego Mindstorms was the "the perfect robotics platform for hobbyists, schools, and universities alike", especially after the release of their NXT kit.
Hell, if you look here, you can see that they've:
* Released the source to the firmware, so people can write code right down to the metal.
* Provided *hardware* schematics, so people can hack their own gear.
* Fully opened the specs to the programming environment, bytecode, etc, on the shipped firmware.
* Opened up the Bluetooth protocol used by the NXT firmware.
Additionally, they've opened the doors to third party accessories.
Seriously, what can a hacked Roomba offer that's better than all that?
There's Bluetooth for Roomba, and the Lego Mindstorms uses it too. How about some swarm tech that uses say, a single Perl module to control a mixed swarm of Mindstorm and Roomba devices?
Better get the command security right, or robotwars will have a whole network battle raging among the clashing droids for control of all the marbles.
--
make install -not war
Looks perfect for making daleks.
It's based on Atmel AVR, so you don't need help with programming environment, bytecode, etc. It's an AVR.
Not only can you therefore write the code right down to the metal, but you have access to at least two fully supported languages (they will support C, atmel provides tools for asm as well and they're quite good) and it's an excellent processor to boot.
NXT is very cool, and I want some a whole lot. But this has its place. Lego constructions are less sturdy than machines made with purpose-built components. On one hand, this device is less configurable than legos. On the other hand, this device is lighter, more powerful, and more durable.
In other words, this doesn't supplant NXT. Arguably, you might find a case in which you would like to use them both together. you could also use the former mindstorms; AVR chips are good at providing you RS-232 and routines are typically provided for this purpose, so you could use the serial IR tower from mindstorms on your robot.
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
The NXT is supported by a wide variety of good programming tools (some still emerging). Many of these tools (eg. Lejos -- still in Alpha for NXT) provide very sophisticated programming models.
I do use AVR for teaching robotics to schoolkids, but they're a lot more limited.
Engineering is the art of compromise.
How about 50% savings on price? The iRobot Create starts at $129.99. Lego Mindstorms on the other hand start at $249.99.
It's based on Atmel AVR, so you don't need help with programming environment, bytecode, etc. It's an AVR.
So's the NXT brick. Check the website yourself if you like.
Durability is an interesting point. But, to claim that makes the Roomba at all superior is, I think, rather shortsighted, as it's not *nearly* as flexible.
Having the hardware specs (schematics etc) has been great. I started this effort before Lego released the firmware and have not used that.
The NXT has a pretty grunt CPU and is capable of much more than a Roomba. Designing and adding 3rd party sensors is a breeze.
Engineering is the art of compromise.
Sure, but, forgetting the obvious flexibility of a Mindstorms kit, it also comes with touch, light, and ultrasonic sensors, bluetooth capability, three servos, and and bunch of Technics pieces, plus the ability to use any other Technics kits you have. Not to mention new third party gear that will be coming around, such as HiTechnic's 3-axis accelerometer/tilt sensor.
So sure, it's twice as expensive, but looking at it, it seems like a pretty good deal to me.
Slashdotters will either hack them to be pleasure models or killbots or both. Decisions, decisions!
"You'll get nothing, and you'll like it!"
Designing and adding 3rd party sensors is a breeze.
And it'll get even easier once Hitechnic releases their NXT Prototype board. It's basically a breadboard with the I2C interface mounted and ready to go.
I like Lego Mindstroms, but recently I have been playing with Vex Robotics and its starter kit is good value for just $100. It is based on PIC and also includes RC controller. The pneumatic parts especially look interesting:
t s.shtml
http://www.vexlabs.com/vex-robotics-pneumatic-par
Python script to convert photos into "artsy" portraits: http://p2pbridge.sf.net/pyPortrait/
The Parallax Boe-Bot kit and included book is a good kit for the beginner. The kit is about $150 USD.
First entomology, then virology, and finally bioinformatics systems. Bugs follow me wherever I go.
Hooking it up into the home automation system would be nice.
An 8 bit Atmel in 2007? This is definitely not Japan. Why can't they provide an ARM9?
Analog(ue). Hook up something that looks like a potentiometer (eg. say an LDR or NTC).
Something via I2C. You can use a Hitechnic proto board or make your own for approx $2 or so using a small micro like an Atmel ATTiny13 which costs less than a buck.
Or, if you hack the NXT firmware, you can do just about anything you can think of using two digital lines and an analogue line.
Engineering is the art of compromise.
They also sell just the command module seperately. Same for the power pack. From that you could build up your own device.
I've been looking around for an affordable controller for a while that is a complete unit, but programmable, so I could build a custom chassis with quite a bit of versatility. This looks like it might fit the bill, although I'm still digging through the website trying to find information about the I/O. At $60 for the controller, it might be what I'm looking for.
Seriously, why would we want the crappy form factor and the plastic wheels that shred?
Why not build it up from scratch, if they're not keeping its primary function?
Cool, I'm going to buy one. I always wanted a base for a home made robot. My first project will be a vacuum cleaner !!
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Not only RS-232, you can hook up some A/D to the AVR chip if you want to use analogue sensing parts :D This has alot more flexibility than the lego stuff, but requires a bit more know-how (or work) to get good results.
They're called Microsoft Windows Users, better known as... Borg Drones!
Star Trek! It's the new reality!
Oh! You own a Zune? We feel for you, and we're here to support you! Apple just handed MSFT it's ASS, fresh from the fruit shredder!
Long Live iPhone, and mobile technology done right!
One word: iGore.
:-)
They only invited him to join the Board for reference data.
Gives a whole new meaning to "think Gore will run in 2008?" And this time "The Kiss" will be more lifelike.
As per the subject, I was actually mistaken. The NXT contains both an Atmel ARM7 microcontroller and an Atmel AVR, so it's even more powerful than the Roomba.
That's a "fully functional" robot. This one is only "fully programmable" which stands in contrast to "partially programmable" (which would mean that it included DRM, or an Asimov circuit or something).
:-)
Don't you watch enough Star Trek?
I for one welcome our new environmental concerned robotic overlords.
Ginga no Rekshiya Mata Each page.
The VEX robot kit is definitely worth a look for anyone wanting to experiment in robotic design, outside of the Lego-based options. It's sort of a "smart" erector set with loads of sensors and parts to choose from (including 3rd party customizations).
8==8 Bones 8==8
hahaha, robot wars!!!
The revolution will not be televised... but it will have a page on Wikipedia
In my experience, the biggest problem that's hindering development of anthropomorphic robots is lack of standardized parts, and their likelihood of being affordable. Most amateur robot builders start from the very scratch and work their way up and in this process find that, while they can themselves afford to take some shortcuts, many have to waste their budgets on what seems the silliest of things in the great scheme of things. In the end, the enthusiasm behind robot building ends up in the designer spreading themselves thin across the details of a project.
For example, they might have wanted to create a robot that will locate a TV's well-used remote controller once everyone leaves the house, and put it on a designated area on the living room table and then plug themselves into the wall to recharge.
This task is fairly easily defined in pseudo-code and by use of common sense, sensors can be used to simplify the execution of this task. The problem is, the designer would have to work on mechanical and electrical issues such as H-bridges for motors or motor controllers, instead of just software to make the robot do what it is supposed to. That spreads their patience thin and causes them to give up on the project at some point or settle for a quality they wanted to avoid in the first place.
So.. as a good example, the DARPA challenge that took place a few years ago showed us what happens when you have to deal with both hardware (vehicles) and computers (software-figuratively speaking, I know it's technically hardware as well..). If my memory serves me correctly, a great deal of competitors ended up with disabled vehicles from purely mechanical reasons. Imagine what would have happened if all the competitors had the exact same vehicles in exact same conditions, exact same sensors, and were just left to develop software to guide it? I suspect the contest would have yielded better results.
So the question is, how much of your time do you spend actually designing what the robot will do, and how much of your task do you deal with its hardware and how it will perform its tasks? In my humble opinion, I believe that the hardware development is causing a major slowdown in robotics. It would help if some affordable standardization existed.
I would be more productive if I purchased a "blank mac-formatted robot" (ala Futurama) and spent my time writing software for it instead of working out on just how to make a 2KB PIC microcontroller communicate with 20 sensors and 10 actuators using one signal wire and I2C.
Someone should fund me so I can start an open-source robotics project: to make geeks of the world unite in our struggle against physical labor!
I'll take the iRobot machine vs. the Lego one. Lego brick-based robots are great, but iRobot makes robots that leap off stairs and don't slow down (their military-grade bots). My roomba has stood up to copious abuse. I still like the parallax or lynxmotion platforms, but this is super intriguing.
Dude, I think I can see my house from here.
"My roomba has stood up to copious abuse"
You abuse your robot? Perhaps you'll be interested in a new chip I developed that lets your robot feel pain... or could wait for the one i'm working on at the moment, that lets it feel shame
The revolution will not be televised... but it will have a page on Wikipedia
irobot has a dev center in Mysore India - a mere 2 hrs from Bangalore India. So expect all Japanese and other bots jobs to be 'Bangalored' and future bots to come with an Appu accent, not to mention a programmable Appubot!
Take a look at the Heathkit Hero 2000 or the Hero 1.
Pity they don't make them anymore.
When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
Sounds like you read my mind! I 100% agree that there needs to standardisation, like in the computer industry. I have tried using 'Meccano' which is ok but very heavy. I was thinking of using polystyrene (as used by modelers) but its a bit too flexible. Looks like I'll have to build a wooden robot! (Strong, light and easy to work with) The electronics are not a problem, there are some good robotic modules available and I can design and build my own, and the software would depend on what processor I choose, but I am not a mechanic!
I was just watching my Roomba the other day (I have multiple Roombas and a Scooba, they are so useful) and thinking "they could take the vacuum out this fucker, market it as a "obstacle avoiding disc toy", and it would be awesome for a kid to play with".
So I hike over to iRobot.com to send them some feedback, and there's the Create!!! AWESOME!! THEY READ MY MIND!! IS THERE ANYTHING THESE ROBOTS WON'T DO!!!
Heh.
I love the platform, but I saw few of the robots that my nephew built and every single one of them had a little problem, like not strong hand grip or bad walk, that programming them with some really difficult tasks was just pointless. They would reach breakpoint in a first third of anything remotely complex.
I wish there was a humanoid robot with all the sensors and the brick already built so we could just program it and know it will work and execute even a complex program without problems. That would really make it worth while and money.
If programs would be read like poetry, most programmers would be Vogons.
The Vex Starter kit is a great value for $100. Unfortunately, it's $300. Sure you may find it at your local Radio Shack on clearance at that price, but they are very few and far between by now. You can get a deal on eBay, but you're more likely looking at $150+. In addition, that price doesn't include the programming kit, so you're going to have to spend an additional $100, so you're back up to the $250 price of the Mindstorms NXT. For the price, you get about a quarter the number of usable pieces (the official piece count is similar, but each screw, washer, nut, etc. counts as a piece in the Vex system) and the pieces you do get are much less versatile (Vex only has about 8 unique structural pieces to work with, so you are quite limited in what you can actually build). Even if you could get Vex for $100, the Lego system is still the better value unless you are primarily interested in RC stuff-- the one area where the Vex wins hands down.
I can see myself and other programmers finally getting into robotics through the iRobot Create. Being a software programmer, I haven't had much experience with circuitry and hardware programming and thusly, haven't had much of a foothold in robotics to get seriously involved with them. With the Create kit (since the SDK is based in C/C++), I think this would be a great opportunity for us to easily get into robotics as a hobby. Exciting!
Blerg.
10 find sara oconner
20 ???
30 profit
wars will be fought by hamsters. iRobot enhanced hamsters.
I think you underestimate just how much I just dont care.
http://www.devrandom.us/
:D
Oh, we make the board he wants to control it with too
Anyway... The Roomba has gone through a lot more wear and tear successfully than my Mindstorms 1 bots did.
Dude, I think I can see my house from here.
The DE-9 (9 pin D-shell connector) is a type of D-subminiature electrical connector most commonly used for the RS 232 serial port on the IBM AT and compatible computers. DB-9 is a common misnomer for the DE-9. (A true DB-9 connector would have 9 pins in a connector the shape and size of a DB-25, the other 16 pins would just be missing.) (Wikipedia)
Seriously, do people even work on catching themselves on errors like this? I know that they sound quite the same, but we did, after all, decide to move to a smaller physical connector instead of trying two data streams on a DB-25, or even just leaving the pins out. How many years have we had to catch up?
Yes, I'm a nit-picker, and quite proud of it when I'm not shoving my homework aside half-finished.
98% of America's teens drink alcohol, smoke, and have sex. Put this in your sig if you like bagels.
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