hi
i don’t have problem with programming, i’m a software engineer
i will like to get started in robotic, but i’m not a experct in electronics…
i did a search for robotic courses in the montreal area
thanks
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i already read a couple of books
what i need to do is to choose a micro-controller and there seems to be a lot of choice
because i have limited electronic skills, i need to choose one where it’s easy to add sensors, servos…
my main os is linux, so i need to be able to send the program to the micro-controller via this os
a big plus for me would be that the micro-controler is compatible with linux
a couple i have found are:
muvium - muvium.com
techFX - thesiliconhorizon.com/
fox - acmesystems.it/?id=4
one thing i don’t understand is how i am supposed to know to interface sensors, servos … with the micro-controler?
here is one explaination how with the fox board
acmesystems.it/?id=89
without this information, i would never know how to do it…
some boards seem to connect directely to sensors via a plug… don’t know if it’s true for a servo…
i’m able to programming in Java, C, Pascal, VB, PHP
Hi Benson. Thank you for your answer.
I have some questions here.
1.What is meaning “standard size” Hitec servos
2.If I buy a “SPT400 Gear Drive Tilt System (5:1)” robotshop.ca/servocity-spt400-power-gearbox-5-1-4.html
Could I mount “HS-805BB Giant Scale Servo Motor” on it ? robotshop.ca/hitec-hs805BB-servo-motor.html
3. could I chang the gear in “HS-805BB Giant Scale Servo Motor” in order to get more torque ?
4.Stall current is meanning “load current” ?
“HS-785HB Winch Servo Motor” 's stall current is 1500 mA at 4.8 V robotshop.ca/PDF/HS-785HB.pdf
“HS-805BB Giant Scale Servo Motor” 's stall current I can not find at robotshop.ca/hitec-hs805BB-servo-motor.html
I guess it is more than 5000 mA.
My device maybe runs at least 2"HS-785HB Winch Servo Motor"s and 2 "HS-805BB Giant Scale Servo Motor"s. and I need control the speed and the direction (clockwise and count-clockwise). if I use “Arduino Uno USB Microcontroller”
What motor drivor I should choose ?
Future of Robotics:
- Robots in Commerce – Retail, Services, Fields,
- Robots in the home – Maids, Washing Car, Doing Chores, Mowing the Lawn,
- Robots in Security – Guards, Guard Dogs, Bomb Sniffers, Bomb Squads,
- Robots to the Rescue – FEMA, Earthquake, Hurricanes, Wild Fires
- Robots for the Weather and Environment – Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Most robotics courses are done through schools rather than private organizations and Robotics courses for the general public are rare. Several options come to mind:
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If you are serious about wanting to learn about robotics to pursue it as part of your career, consider taking university level courses. You can also contact a teacher and ask them which textbook they use as well as a course outline.
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Contact local robotics clubs:
robomontreal.com -
Teach yourself.
Although it is always good to have people to work with, using a robotics book as a guide. The RobotShop Forum and Wiki are in place to help beginners and experts alike.
If you have an objective in mind, RobotShop and the online community would gladly help you achieve it.
There are several manufacturers that have all but eliminated the complexity in wiring and mechanical design. These robotic kits sound ideal given your situation as no secondary electronics are needed.
Consider the following robotic kits:
LEGO Mindstorms
LEGO Mindstorms uses the regular LEGO Technik parts and includes Motors, sensors and gears. The LEGO “brick” is essentially a microcontroller with motor controller and allows you to connect LEGO electronics (motors and sensors) easily.
VEX Robotics
VEXRED Robotic’s approach is essentially the same as LEGO’s but their hardware is metal and the selection of products is different. The sensors and motors plug directly into the microcontroller. (Note: at the time of this post, the Vex line of products will be appearing shortly on the RobotShop.ca website)
Robotis
Robotis Bioloid is a versatile system that uses custom, powerful servo motors and robust plastic parts to allow you to create different robotic designs. Bioloid kits currently offer only one main sensor. The main body is the microcontroller.
Fischertechnik
Fischertechnik kits allow sensors and motor to be connected to a central microcontroller. Plastic parts are easily interchanged to allow a variety of different designs.
Inex
Each Inex robotic kit includes all parts to build a robot (with sensors and motors) in a variety of different configurations. Additional kits allow increased versatility.
Note: it is important to check each manufacturer for compatibility with Linux and/or MAC OS.
If you are specifically interested in using a microcontroller, RobotShop offers a variety of different microcontrollers.
Arduino
The Arduino Diecimila is a very popular microcontroller because it connects directly to your computer’s USB, offers both digital and analog input ports, as well as +5V and +3.3V output pins. The board can be powered by the USB or separately. Coupled with a motor controller, the Arduino Diecimila is incredibly versatile and low-cost. A starter Arduino Kit was suggested here.
BasicAtom
If you are new to microcontrollers and interested in the BasicAtom selection, it is best to purchase a development board, which includes power regulation and a small solderless breadboard.
BasicX
If you are new to microcontrollers and interested in the BasicX selection, it is best to purchase a development station, which includes power regulation and a small solderless breadboard.
Blueroomelectronics
Blueroomelectronics allow you to get your hands dirty with PIC microchips (very low cost) and can be used as the intermediate between prototype and production robotics. However, currently Blueroomelectronics products offered through RobotShop require assembly.
Pololu
Many of the Pololu lineup of microcontrollers also include Motor Controllers, allowing you to control two powerful DC Gear motors as well as secondary sensors.
ADDING SENSORS
If you are considering a microcontroller above, many sensors will require some degree of wiring. Very few will require secondary circuitry and your main focus will be which pins to connect from the sensors to which pins on the microcontroller. You may also want to practice soldering to make this easier.