Is "processing" the best programming language to learn

Help & Support
1

as a green robotics hobbyist? I’m very comfortable with computers but extremely green at programming.

Where do you suggest I START…Are there local clubs? robotics courses…etc South shore of Montreal…and what about hardware and software…what would you recommend.

Flowbotics studio vs Microsoft robotics studio???

Arduino vs others…?

I already bought the robot builders bonanza…:slight_smile:

Anyways, any advice would be great!!!

thanks

Gus

2

You might start with a simple kit like an Arduino starter package, no bot just a bunch of parts and an Arduino to play around with. You can do stuff like blink an led or make a motor move. I wouldn’t put too much money in to it until you make some progress and see that you like it. It may will cost $100-200 to get a simple 3 wheel bot going. They have kits for this too like Boe-bot. Here again any kit is highly recommended. The build from scratch process is probably more fun after this when you have some knowledge.

Arduino has its own programming environment. Go to their site for a wealth of info.

3

The Boe-Bot is based on a Basic Stamp, which doesn’t work the same way as an Arduino.

If you are looking a good Arduino-based robot kit, we would recommend the DFRobotShop Rover. It is based on the Arduino Uno and can be programmed with the regular Arduino IDE software.

The rover is also shield compatible, so you can add all the shields, sensors, and actuators that you can normally add, except those that use pins 5, 6, 7, or 8 because those pins are used to control the motors.

4

Thanks for the info jarcand and esdad697, i think you both have validated what I had surfed and deduced that Arduino is the way to go.

Im fairly mechanical inclinded. Followed by basic electronic principles understanding but Im very green with programming.

I bought the robot builders bonanza but are there any tutorial videos you mght recommend that will walk me through the basics…??

thanks again

Gus

5

I don’t know of any specific videos, but you can probably just search for “arduino” and in youtube, and will likely find a bunch of videos.

6

Hi jeffrey,
Thats precisely what I did and bingo. got it arduino tutorials…:slight_smile:
I will pass by on friday and pick up a few components. I have an account with you already.
cheers
Gustotron

7

Hi Gustotron,

Glad you found what you were looking for, but do you mean that you want to pass by our warehouse on Friday?

Please note that none of our locations are open to the public so items purchased from RobotShop must be delivered.

Thanks,

8

Really…? Even if I have a commercial account with you?

I would just like to speak with someone who can really give me a personailzed…“this is how you want to start off…”

Let me know so I dont come out there for nothing…I remember visiting a showroom back in the day…

Gus

9

Hi Gustotron,

Previously, we did have a store front and provided support both in person and by telephone, but this was inefficient and expensive and as we have grown into an international company, only a very small percentage of our customers were able to pick up items.

We still provide support by phone for professional products and teachers. However when it comes to design, robotics is not straightforward and involves three main disciplines – mechanical , electrical, and computer engineering – which takes quite a bit of time to learn.

For people getting started in robotics, we suggest the following book:

We also have some free resources on our blog:

Hope that helps with your upcoming projects,