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A Hardware Mashup Device Running Linux

Posted by Soulskill on from the diversity-breeds-creativity dept.

jonniee writes "Mike Riley over at Dr. Dobb's takes a look at 'The BUG,' from Bug labs. It's a Linux-based, Java-programmable electronic base with I/O ports for connecting BUGmodules — individual modules that supply additional functionality to the BUGbase. Four BUGmodules currently exist: a color LCD screen, a combined motion detector/accelerometer, GPS, and a 2-megapixel color camera. You can think of it as 'electronic LEGOs' that let you build different devices depending on how you plug the modules together."

2 of 47 comments (clear)

  1. Try Arduino, or build your own by schamberlin · · Score: 5, Informative

    The BUG looks pretty slick, but it's $350 just for the base module! Add on modules like an LCD or GPS are about $100 each. Ouch.

    For playing around with embedded electronics, try an open-source hardware Arduino board (http://www.arduino.cc), or just build your own using a PIC or AVR microcontroller. It's not as polished as the BUG and doesn't run Java, but it'll cost $40 instead of $400. Arduino has a decent set of software tools, and you can add modular "shields" for GPS, wireless, etc.

    1. Re:Try Arduino, or build your own by mr_da3m0n · · Score: 5, Informative

      I second the arduino. It uses a modified version of Wiring, which is a subset of C++ itself. It's actually pretty great to code for and work with, even for a total newbie on the topic like me.

      Arduinos are not only cheap, but you can build your own, for added geek points.
      http://www.freeduino.org/freeduino_open_designs.html