Are there Circuit Diagrams Available?

SRLM

Hi. I found this old robot that I've had for a number of years (~8 years) and have lost all the documentation for it. I was wondering if Parallax had any of the preloaded/sample programs that came with this robot. It came loaded with a program that took commands from a remote control, and did basic maze actions.


So: any sample programs or circuit diagrams?

LoopyByteloose

Nice robot. It is really well built. Download a copy of the PBasic IDE and you will find example programs that can be adapted if that is indeed a BasicStamp microprocessor. You may need to do some reverse engineering, but the programing manual for the PBasic is loaded with typical schematics as well. That should at least get you started while you try to get the original documentation.

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It's sunny and warm here. It is always sunny and warm here.... (unless a typhoon blows through).

Tropically, G. Herzog [noparse][[/noparse] 黃鶴 ] in Taiwan

SRLM

I'm sure it's a BS2 since I can program it with PBASIC (via a USB serial adapter). I've actually got a second board that I'm working with for another project, but just on the P0 - P10. Mostly, the problem isn't the hardware itself, but knowing what stuff is connected to what pin. Since it's all hardwired (like the Penguin), I don't know where to start. There's no helpful labels either, and tracing the wires doesn't work.

As a side note, there are two H-Bridge setups (two can motors) and I have no idea what sort of input those take. Pulse width? Serial? Parallel? High-Low? Finally, I'd like to replace the battery setup with something a little bit more user friendly and possibly with a regulator.

Finally, there are 8 I/O pins used (2 IR reciever, 1 IR emitter, 2 H Bridge, 2 Photo resistors, 1 Switch) and the breadboard has the option of 11 pins (P0 - P10). So which ones are doubled up?

Many of these questions can be answered with a circuit diagram.

Lab Rat

i like that little thing looks like something from about thirty year ago
i once tried drawing up schematic to circuit boards it was time consuming and way to complicated so i quit

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I`m not prejudice I hate everyone equally

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)

Even though it uses a BASIC Stamp chip, the bot itself is not a Parallax product. Or at least it doesn't show up on their historical websites under the Internet Archive. Does the PCB have any distinguishing nomenclature that you could use in a Google search?

-Phil

Mikerocontroller

· This is called the TAB SumoBot and was sold as a kit that included a book called Sumo-Bot (TAB books).· It also included a CD and Ir remote.· Cost was $99.· It has been discussed on these Parallax forums before.··
·Sorry I·can't provide any more info.

Post Edited (Mikerocontroller) : 10/10/2008 11:18:21 PM GMT

Bruce Bates

SRLM -

This link may help you with your search:
http://members.tripod.com/onrobo/reviews/Kits/Beginners/isbn0071387870/index.htm

Regards,

Bruce Bates

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When all else fails, try inserting a new battery.

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)

I've emailed one of the original TAB SumoBot book authors, alerting him to this thread. Hopefully, he'll be able to weigh in here with a schematic.

-Phil

NR1X

i don't know if it will help, but i have a TAB electronics text here "Stamp 2 Communications and control projects" and it was published by McGraw Hill.



I found this at ammazon looks like a new one is 400$
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0071411933/ref=sib_dp_pt#reader-link

Post Edited (kb1nrb) : 10/11/2008 2:28:18 AM GMT

LoopyByteloose

That book is sitting on my shelf and I am sorry to say it won't help here.

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It's sunny and warm here. It is always sunny and warm here.... (unless a typhoon blows through).

Tropically, G. Herzog [noparse][[/noparse] 黃鶴 ] in Taiwan

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)

Ben Wirz, co-developer of the TAB SumoBot, has replied to my email with a schematic and example code, attached below.

Thanks, Ben!

-Phil

SRLM

Wow! Thank you very much for your hard work on finding the schematic. Interresting that they've gone up 300% since they were first sold. It's a nice robot, but I'm not sure that it's worth $400. Anyway, thanks, and maybe it might make it's way to the Completed Projects section.

Mikerocontroller

· That's a neat robot.· Have you had a chance to see it operate?· If so, do the treads (or should I say drive belts?) stay attached when turning on carpet?· Also, is that developement board the same size as a Homework Board?···············

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SRLM

The board is 4 1/4" wide and 4 3/4" long. So a little bit bigger then the BOE. As for operation, I've had it for several years (before I knew what a BS2 was) and it has a default program where a remote can control functions. So yes, I've seen it operate. It seems to be faily reliable, but for two things: the worm on the motor shafts and the gear on the axle tend to slip. I'll fix this with some glue soon. Also, the O-ring tank tread is cracked. This is acceptable, seeing how old it is, but it means that I'll need to get some more before I run it. They do seem to be able to stay on in most circumstances, though.

Forrest

Here's some useful from an old forum post

http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=525250


There used to be a Yahoo group for this robot called tabrobotkit, but it looks like it was shutdown

Tazman

Thank you PhiPi for being so resourceful. I too have one of these in the basement and gave up because I was not able to locate the doc's and code.