The best programmable robot that isn't Lego Mindstorms?

[shayne]

I’m fairly new to robotics, I made a solarbot once but I think I prefer programming a robot in C or BasicX.

I’m wondering what is the best affordable programmable kit that you guys have worked with - I’m interested in something with collision detection sensors and a C or BasicX programmable interface… with minimal soldering…

Thanks
Shayne

[shayne]

Hey Jeff

Thanks a bunch - I’ll have a look at these.

I’ve also been looking at the Inex platform which looks very promising:

robotshop.ca/inex-microcamp-robot-kit.html

I also like that I can get a temperature module for this… I can already think of a few applications for this.

Shayne

Hi Shayne,

(Hey Coleman, the links above don’t work, by the way, how are you ?)

welcome to robot shop. It depends if you only want to program. You seemed to be in the same situation as me. I’m trying to find the less soldering possible and the most open interface and functionnalities for programming. It’s been one year since I’m searching and here what I find for nice kits to begin with :

irobot.com (go to see the create that already contain near 30 sensors fully functionnal and can recharge itself when the battery charge is low). The premium package comes with a microprocessor permitting to run in an autonomous mode or developping yourself some routines via a PC / portable). For 300 $, it’s a cool solution. But you’ll have only the mobile base without arms and etc… But it seems to be compatible with many pieces.

vexrobotics.com (go take a look at the labclass kit containing the protobot and the tumbler. That projects are useless but show what you can do with VEX. It’s good products but I find them expensive when you want a solution as the legomindstorm. Unfortunetly, there is no WIFI chipset actually and I don’t think this is a very compatible product).

phidgets.com (sensors that be plugged directly USB and come with fully functionnal API. It’s compatible with many langages and the sensors seemed to be very efficient and reliable).

Maybe, I’m sure enough actually, I’ll go with combining vexrobotics and phidgets. But VEX is expensive. Else, I find this new machina yesterday on robotshop :

robotshop.ca/robot-chenilles-quatre-moteurs-blackfin-srv-1q-surveyor-2.html

Good luck in your search. If you find something cool, plz post me a message.

Thanks !

Jeff

[shayne]

So many options – I just remembered that I have an Agenda VR3 Linux based PDA which has a RS232 interface - seems logical to find a way to hook this thing up to the bot that I plan on making… I would love the ability to store data in the PDA

Phigits looks very promising indeed.

[cbenson]

Hi Shayne,

Welcome to the RobotShop Forum. The benefit of a forum is to get different personal preferences in order to formulate your own. Robot Kits are an excellent way to get into robotics, so RobotShop has created a guide to robotic kits:

[size=2]How do I differentiate between all the robot kits?[/size]
Where can I find project ideas and materials?

These allow you to choose the right type of kit (in your case you know you are looking for something programmable with minimal soldering). There is a section within each with regard to programming language. BasicX does not make any kit comparable to these.

Hope this helps,

[cbenson]

Hey Jeff,

It’s -30C outside with windchill, but doing fine. RobotShop tries to bring in quality prodcuts to meet the demand of an ever expanding robotics market. We are always open to product suggestions.

The Learning Center is not in French Yet, so if you changed to French in the RobotShop widow, the link will attempt to locate the French page - simply switch to English.

[gardangel]

Hi Shayne,

(Hey Coleman, the links above don’t work, by the way, how are you ?)

welcome to robot shop. It depends if you only want to program. You seemed to be in the same situation as me. I’m trying to find the less soldering possible and the most open interface and functionnalities for programming. It’s been one year since I’m searching and here what I find for nice kits to begin with :

irobot.com (go to see the create that already contain near 30 sensors fully functionnal and can recharge itself when the battery charge is low). The premium package comes with a microprocessor permitting to run in an autonomous mode or developping yourself some routines via a PC / portable). For 300 $, it’s a cool solution. But you’ll have only the mobile base without arms and etc… But it seems to be compatible with many pieces.

vexrobotics.com (go take a look at the labclass kit containing the protobot and the tumbler. That projects are useless but show what you can do with VEX. It’s good products but I find them expensive when you want a solution as the legomindstorm. Unfortunetly, there is no WIFI chipset actually and I don’t think this is a very compatible product).

phidgets.com (sensors that be plugged directly USB and come with fully functionnal API. It’s compatible with many langages and the sensors seemed to be very efficient and reliable).

Maybe, I’m sure enough actually, I’ll go with combining vexrobotics and phidgets. But VEX is expensive. Else, I find this new machina yesterday on robotshop :

robotshop.ca/robot-chenilles-quatre-moteurs-blackfin-srv-1q-surveyor-2.html

Good luck in your search. If you find something cool, plz post me a message.

Thanks !

Jeff

[gardangel]

Yes for phidgets. The worst part is the mobile one. Continous rotation motors are expensive. Take a look :

phidgets.com/products.php?product_id=2007

look at the wheels ! Come on… is it a joke ? A company that offers a lot of nice sensors making such poor wheels at that price ? Yeah, right. This is the best part :

phidgets.com/products.php?category=8

The possibility to ‘recognize’ objects…

Linux ? Nice platform and it’s free. The disadvantage is the drivers and I don’t think all the good products on the market will work with this OS.

good luck

Jeff