Tadpole Robots

Its been a long time coming, but I am proud to introduce you to the Tadpoles...

 

The Tadpole is simply a perfect platform for the beginners and advanced robot folks alike. It can be as simple as a Spurt bot or as complex as one wants including abilities like mapping and datalogging. There is no soldering required and the entire assembly can be done in an hour, with one screwdriver.

The Tadpole can be purchased as a bare chassis allowing you to use your own Arduino Uno or Duemilanove board (with motor driver shield), the "standard" Picaxe 28 board or Picaxe's new Shield Base system. If you would like a more complete package, you can get the Tadpole with a sensor (obstacle or line-follow) and with a micro controller, Micro Magician or Mini Driver.

Fits:

  • Dagu Mini Driver 
  • Dagu Micro Magician 
  • Rocket Brand Studios Nano Undershields 
  • Standard Arduino Boards 
  • Picaxe "standard" 28x board 
  • Picaxe's new Shield Base system

Requirements:

  • A little Phillips-head screwdriver Maybe a pair of pliers would be handy, but you really don't need it 
  • (4) Rechargeable AAA batteries (No alkaline) 
  • USB cord (You already have this, its a "regular USB" to "mini-regular" USB. --Its the one that goes to your camera... ...C'mon, you actually have 20 of these cords in a drawer or your "cord box", let's not kid ourselves here...)

 

 

Does Almost Everything

  • Actuators / output devices: Little Black Duck Motors
  • Control method: autonomous
  • CPU: MicroM, MiniD, Uno, Picaxe28x
  • Power source: (4) AAA
  • Sensors / input devices: IR, xbee, Line, BT, bump, phone
  • Target environment: indoor

This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://community.robotshop.com/robots/show/tadpole-robots

Wheels!

I love the O-ring style custom Wheels! Very Sweet!

Wheels will be up soon

Those wheels (and the LBD motors) will be up for sale individually soon. It will be 1 1/4", 1 1/2", 2" and 2 1/2" diameters. I am just finishing ones that fit those little $5 geared stepper motors as well. Ah! so much to do!

Great christmas present

Nice!

Maybe a little late…

Well, it looks like I may have missed Christmas sales this year, but remember kids --think of me when you are trying to figure out how to spend that check from aunt Judy!  :)

:slight_smile:

:slight_smile:

Those look absolutely

Those look absolutely awesome! Very versatile and cool looking!!  You should try selling a few of those on Tindie in addition to your regular site and see what happens. Excellent price, too… adding to my wish list!

Surfaces

One of the best i’ve seen, very tempted to order one. 

However one quick question, what are the wheels like on a non flat surfaces, such as carpet?

:smiley:

Awsumly multipurpose…

It seems to work fine on

It seems to work fine on carpet, as long as is not some 1970s deep pile shag. It runs a tiny bit slower on the carpets than on a hard floor, but just fine.

It won’t climb over big obstacles, but it is good for any flat surface.

Spurt Versions

Spurt Line Follower:

Spurt Light Follower:

Cool bot

It’s a really cool bot. Nice 2 see that it connects to various input devices. Well done !

How can you sell them for

How can you sell them for $30 and still profit!? I can’t wait to see your next idea!

Awesome
awesome bots chris…