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Beginner robot — Parallax Forums

Beginner robot

elioteliot Posts: 5
edited 2009-01-23 09:19 in Robotics
· Hi, I've recently started taking robotics as my hobby (5 days ago). I'm a 13 year old student
with limited finances and time so I was wondering how I should start out my robotics
hobby. I 've read a couple of beginner books by David Cook and Gordon McComb (Im sure you know them)
but they said that if you are a complete newbie, you should start out with a
lego mindstrom NXT kit or a parallax boe-bot.
The lego didn't appeal to me very much so I decided to go to the parallax route.
So... my real question is, how should I start my robot hobby career?
Should I go the lego NXT route, the parallax boe bot route, or some other way?
Thank you!

ps. also, if I should go the parallax boe bot way, which parallax boe bot should I get?
···· I mean, there's so many of them!
·

Comments

  • GWJaxGWJax Posts: 267
    edited 2009-01-21 01:35
    The Lego NXT system can do allot just because it's all open source. But the down fall for that is that you'll have to spend allot of money just for different parts. The Boe-Bot is a great bot to start with and you will learn allot more in the side of electronics. If you can you may just buy a BS2 stamp and build your own frame like I am doing to save on money. Parallax provides many books that can be downloaded for FREE. Personally I would get the RS232 serial connection Boe-Bot if you have that connection on your computer but then again yo can get a converter for the USB connection as well for it. As long as you start from the beginning book "Whats a MicoConroler" then you'll start off as the right speed you need to becoming a great robot builder and programmer.

    Good Luck!

    Jax

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    If a robot has a screw then it must be romoved and hacked into..
  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2009-01-21 01:52
    For the best compromise between cost/ability, I'd go with a Parallax Board of Education and a Basic Stamp 2e. This combination works with all the parallax documentation, and the 'e' gives the BS2 a little bit more room to work in. If you're willing to spend a little bit more, the BOE-BOT is an excellent choice. It has everything that you need to make an intelligent navigator.

    Personally, I don't like the Lego mindstorms for two reasons. First, they remove all the electrical engineering from your sight. You hook it up, and it's guaranteed to work. I like to be able to hook anything up and write some code, and it does something new and exciting. This brings me to reason two: I don't like the programming environment. While a GUI for programming is good for small children or professionals well into their career, if you really want to learn how to program hard coding is the best way to go.

    In summary, the BOE-BOT is your best choice. If the price is too high, then a BOE with a BS2e will get you started (don't forget some components like LEDs and Buttons!).
  • David BaylissDavid Bayliss Posts: 58
    edited 2009-01-21 03:13
    Well my own 13 year old started the robot hobby 7 days ago with the parallax scribbler. I am not an expert but as far as I can tell the pro's over the boe-bot are:

    1) $60 cheaper

    2) Comes fully assembled and ready to work

    3) Relatively robust

    4) Has simple GUI to get you going and teach PBASIC by example

    5) As far as my LIMITED understanding goes it has light sensors the boe doesn't (although the BOE has whiskers)

    The CON is that ELECTRONICALLY it is nowhere near as flexible (you have what you have)

    For us the scribbler was still the best bet - we figured it was 70-30 that he would fall in love with the coding more than the electronics - and if he does fall for the electronics the $60 we saved gets us a long way towards getting an electronics kit ....

    David
  • elioteliot Posts: 5
    edited 2009-01-21 04:39
    thanks for all the help!

    Then can you tell me which parallax boe bot would be the best?
    I found out that there are about 3 types:
    1. USB version
    2. Full Serial Pack
    3. Microsoft Computer Base (or something like that/the 220dollar one)

    Please tell me the pros and cons of each.
  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2009-01-21 05:54
    I like the USB version, since I probably don't have a serial port (never got around to looking at the back) and the connector is smaller. Functionally, the USB version and the serial version(#1 and #2) aren't any different, mostly it's mechanical and your personal preferences. The #3 is intended to work with Microsoft Robotics Studio and I've never used it.

    I'd go with #1.
  • iDaveiDave Posts: 252
    edited 2009-01-21 07:22
    I also second the #1 choice. It'll be simpler for someone just getting into all this.(no need for usb to serial adapter). And then later on if you want to start messin' around with microsoft robotics studio(free download), you can purchase a bluetooth adapter and the wireless adapter for the boe-bot. The boe-bot kit is an awesome way to get into this hobby. I wish parallax had been around when i was 13! Good luck Eliot.

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    "THE ONLY TRUE WISDOM IS IN KNOWING YOU KNOW NOTHING." - SOCRATES
  • LilDiLilDi Posts: 229
    edited 2009-01-21 16:38
    To be fair, you are asking "the home of the BoeBot" forum, which bot is best. Naturally your going to get a very in the box slanted viewpoint. If you go to a Lego forum and ask the same question, what do you suppose the answer will be. You might want to google "BoeBot verses Lego MindStorms" and get an unbiased viewpoint. Then make your decision.

    Goog Luck!

    Post Edited (LilDi) : 1/21/2009 4:47:29 PM GMT
  • Jessica UelmenJessica Uelmen Posts: 490
    edited 2009-01-21 17:27
    Hi Eliot!

    The Boe-Bot is an excellent place for the beginner to get started, especially if you want to focus on building simple circuits and programs. As GWJax mentioned, most of our books are available online for free. In order to get better acquainted with the BASIC Stamp programming language, we recommend you begin with our What's a Microcontroller book. That way, you can use the parts that come with the Boe-Bot to complete 26 of the 44 activities in the What's a Microcontroller text, and this will give you a good foundation before programming your Boe-Bot.

    If you would like to get an idea of the things you can accomplish with the Boe-Bot, you can also download the Robotics with the Boe-Bot text.

    I hope this helps get you started! Best of luck!

    Jessica

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    Jessica Uelmen
    Education Department
    Parallax, Inc.
  • DgswanerDgswaner Posts: 795
    edited 2009-01-21 17:36
    the Scribbler is the deal of the day, today!!! Fate? Destiny?

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    DGSwaner
    "When in doubt, use C4" - Jamie Hyneman, Myth Buster
  • AveryAvery Posts: 9
    edited 2009-01-23 00:21
    I like the USB version too, but again the choice between USB and serial is more what your computer can use than a personal preference. Also think about what you want to get into if you like robotics and you like coding the Boe-Bot is the way to go. If you're more into just electronics, look into BEAM robotics; solarbotics.com has great resource pages on BEAM style bots. They are mostly electronic (no coding) and a little cheaper to get into. Ah, to be thirteen again and just starting out on such a wonderful and exciting hobby!
  • Steph LindsaySteph Lindsay Posts: 767
    edited 2009-01-23 01:05
    Eliot Jeong said...
    thanks for all the help!

    Then can you tell me which parallax boe bot would be the best?
    I found out that there are about 3 types:
    1. USB version
    2. Full Serial Pack
    3. Microsoft Computer Base (or something like that/the 220dollar one)

    Please tell me the pros and cons of each.
    Just to clarify a few points from earlier in the thread:
    1. 28832: This kit has a programming board with a built-in USB connector. The advantage is many people are ready to plug into a USB port.
    2. 28132: This kit has a programming board with a serial DB-9 connector AND a USB to Serial Adapter so you have that flexibility built in.· You can use this adapter with any other serial Parallax board and many other devices.
    3. 28118:·This is like #2, PLUS the eb500 Bluetooth transceiver module.· You cannot program the BASIC Stamp 2 on the Boe-Bot via the eb500.· However, you can program the BS2 to receive control codes via the eb500 Bluetooth module from your PC's Bluetooth, so you have that "base station controlling/receiving data from the exploratory vehicle" effect.·

    And yes, these Boe-Bot kits all do have light-sensing·photoresistors like the Scribbler, a pair of photoresistors to build a light-navigation project on the breadboard.· There are also whisker touch sensors, and infrared sensors for object and distance detection.

    Once you have made your way through the basics, there are all kinds of additional hardware and extra sensors you can add, and more activities posted online in the Stamps in Class Mini-Projects Sticky Thread.· Check it out, and you can see some Boe-Bot videos for some of the experiments.

    Have fun!

    -Stephanie Lindsay

    Editor, Parallax Inc.
  • EzsynnEzsynn Posts: 119
    edited 2009-01-23 09:19
    I'd recommend getting BOE-BOT USB. With stuff to go PING)))!!!
    And of course...

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    BWIN ON DA POWAH WIFIN U!!!
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