With so much information out there on the web, it’s so difficuft to find the best starting point.
I’m basically looking to get into robotics, and looking for a good starting point.
I’m already a Delphi & C++ programmer, and studying .NET (C#), so I’m hoping I can move in the .NET direction without having to just use someone elses “scripted” code that gives simple commands.
I’m thinking something like Microsoft Robotics Studio & .NET, I want to code and learn robotics, not play with scripts for a toy.
I guess I’d have to use some kind of library or API in addition to .NET, unless I can program and code controller boards and servos directly from C#.
So really my question is, can I really “code” (not script) a robot from C#, and what is the best route to go with hardware (controllers/electronics).
I also have a background in engineering, after working on radar and missile systems.
So the electronics part and robot construction is not really frightening, but making sure I find a project robot that will not disappoint, or not meet my needs will be frustrating.
I would think something like Johnny 5, or other tracked vehicle would be a good starting point.
I know I would get board of a basic arm, or other simple robotic device.
The primary distinction between “code” and “script” is that code gets compiled into a machine language native binary that the hardware can work with directly. Scripts get interpretted at runtime by an intermediary engine that converts the script commands into machine language commands real time.
The irony here is that C# is closer to being a scripting language itself. It does not get compiled into a machine language native binary. It gets compiled into a lightweight assembly that still has to be interpretted by the .NET runtime engine. It’s more of an optimized script as opposed to a native executable.
That is a pretty inaccurate distinction. The distinction between robotics and toys has little to do with the medium with which they are controlled. In fact, most industrial robots make use of scripting languages to more easily and rapidly change their routines.
The beauty of Lynxmotion, and the primary reason I chose it as my platform, is its substantial modularity. You can go from a quad, to a hex, to a biped, and any hybrid in between and reuse the majority of the components between all of them. You’ll be hard pressed to find any more flexibility in any other platform out there. Bioloids comes close, but you are completely tied to their controllers/servos. Not so with Lynxmotion.
One example of this was done using a Pico-ITX board, which is a small PC type board. You can read about it here: forums.trossenrobotics.com/showthread.php?t=1312
I believe there is a thread about this forum as well.
My guess is that this would be a good starting point to look at and that you could also do something similar with a PC talking to robot either directly to the SSC-32 board through something like blue-tooth or XBEES or you could have the PC talk to another processor that is on board your robot…
See what you mean obviously between scripting and coded binaries.
I would like to be able to stay with the C# language, which in turn builds my .NET knowledge and robotics knowledge.
I’m certainly like the look of the LynxMotion hardware, and as you say the modular features.
I probably would be happy working with an arm based system, and move up to a rover/arm based system, building my project as I go.
like I say, I would hate to start a project I could not expand on.
So how close is this “scripted language” to C#,
or are these LynxMotion systems something I can use with Microsoft Robotics Studio.
I would like to try and follow an industry standard, as far as software amd even hardware.
If this is something the could lead to a career change, then I’d like to be learning the industry standard.
I would start with this inexpensive setup. You can then use it later on a larger project. It will teach you about the SSC32 controller board and how it operates servos from C# and you can actually do something cool with it (like squeeze your finger)! All for under $130 bucks! Just click on the links and order each item.
Now while you’re waiting for the items above to be delivered at your doorstep you can download the simulator projects below. These are code examples you can play with right now that will also work with the SSC32 you’ve purchase in the above example (so you’ll be able to build on it).
These examples show how to use the hexapod (in Microsoft Robotics Studio simulator). It comes in both C# and VB.net. You don’t have to purchase any hardware to get started but once you see what you can do you’ll be wanting to!
