Hello all, First post so.... nice ta meet cha.
im fairly new to robotics iv built a couple of things in the past but have stuck with primarily mechanical robotics (not sure if thats the right term) rather than ones which require any processor other than my own brain. in all honesty im not even sure if they classify as robots.
My portfolio includes the OWI-535 Robotic arm. which in my vision is more a remote controlled toy than a robot per-se. and a few little bits and pieces out of technic lego including (my current proundest achievement) a 100% autonomous collision avoider which worked....a bit.
Im reading up on electronics and computer programing at the moment mainly via the "for dummies" series. i have so far focused on learning my electrical components (resistors, transistors, ICs etc) and what they do and am planning to learn C++ aswell.
If you havent gathered already, ive been interested in robotics since childhood and dont do things by halves.
I have money i can spend on the hobby but need a direction to follow. can anyone recommend any kits (for example) which will actually teach me something other than simple gear ratios and how to stick one piece of plastic to another. or some really good books which can teach me basics.
Thanks for the help in advance and i hope to be of help to the forum in the future.
Part of this depends on what
Part of this depends on what you’re interested in. I would suggest checking out the “Start Here” menu item (top left) for an easy to build robot.
The LEGO Mindstorms kits are fun. I had four of them at one time (half priced sale). I’m not adverse to building kits, but I think it’s more fun to build your own. In fact I have two kit Hexapods mostly built that are just waiting for me to get to them.
For a book…
The Robot Builder’s Bonanza by Gordon McComb.
I’d also get something like a Raspberry Pi or BeagleBone Black. These are simple inexpensive single board Linux computers and can be used to run robots. The RasPi has a bigger community.
Here is an idea for you.
Grab one of these https://www.robotshop.com/en/dagu-universal-arduino-development-board.html
Go to the second hand store. We have shops like Goodwill here in the States. Find a remote control toy. You can pick one up for a couple dollars USD.
Figure out how to power the Frankenstein beast you are now starting to construct, and, move on from there. You could add sensors for line following. You could make use of an ultrasonic sensor on a servo. I believe, Oddbot has posted(?) some code for software PWM so you can PWM motors as well as servos.
If you want more on board, you could chip in another $20USD and get the Micro Magician. It has an IR receiver, an accelerometer, and a slightly better processor. I am sure there are some other bonuses. I don’t remember them currently.
I was going to suggest a Tadpole from Rocket Brand Studios, but, I saw you were in the UK and thought shipping might get expensive.
Big chain stores on their
Big chain stores on their post holiday sales. I’ve often gotten things at half price from Walmart. Once I was able to pick up 4 Lego Mindstorms at half price and sold two of them on ebay so the two I kept hardly cost me anything.
I also got a pair of 1/6th scale RC Sherman tanks. One of which became a good, but rather loud, robot. The other is still sitting in my garage waiting for me to want a loud robot again.
How about hooking the OWI
How about hooking the OWI arm up so it works with a RasPi or Arduino? Then you can eventually put it on a mobile robot…
I still have yet to put an arm on a robot. I have it scheduled for the robot after my current one.