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Beginning Robotics: BOE-Bot or Sumo-Bot? — Parallax Forums

Beginning Robotics: BOE-Bot or Sumo-Bot?

vOmitvOmit Posts: 1
edited 2009-02-09 17:01 in Robotics
Hey everybody,

I'm very interested in robotics and would like to start learning. I don't have any electrical engineering experience but I do have some programming experience. I'm planning on starting with a kit. Would you recommend the BOE-Bot or Sumo-Bot. What are the advantages/disadvantages?

Comments

  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2009-01-21 05:56
    I like the BOE BOT. It's more expandable and nearly all of the parallax documentation and Stamps in Class books are built around the BOE. That said, you can do the same things with either, it's just that the boe is a little bit more flexible.
  • polbitpolbit Posts: 25
    edited 2009-01-21 14:20
    I second the Boe-Bot choice. I just started playing with robotics not too long ago, and had to make the same choice - I went with boe-bot because it is a more flexible choice, comes with more parts/elements out of the box, and uses the standard Boardof Education board.
  • WhitWhit Posts: 4,191
    edited 2009-01-22 16:24
    The BoE-Bot has lots of cool accessories that will let you learn new things as well (remote control, encoder kit, gripper, Ping))), etc. You can pick those up later when you are ready for a new challenge. Unless you need the Serial connection, I would also recommend the USB version.

    You will learn so much as you work you way through the book.

    Have fun!

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    Whit+


    "We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney
  • EzsynnEzsynn Posts: 119
    edited 2009-01-23 09:25
    If you have a homework board, just get the BOE-BOT (Board Of Education - roBOT) parts set, which comes with everything and download the "Robotics with the BOE-BOT kit.pdf" from the parallax website.
    After that, voila, you've got yourself a HOBO-BOT. (HOmework BOard - roBOT)
    The BOE-BOT is the most flexible robot, I have ever built you know. You can turn it into just about anything.
    Enjoy, and...

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    BWIN ON DA POWAH WIFIN U!!!
  • MSDTechMSDTech Posts: 342
    edited 2009-01-23 15:57
    One caution, the BOE-BOT has a habit of evolving. You start with a simple robot and before you know it, it has grown into a very complex machine. I've recorded the changes that have occurred to my BOE-BOT over the last year and attached the photos.

    Rev 06 is now on a slab in the lab. Hopefully in a few weeks, we'll have a thunderstorm and I can hook up the electrodes and bring it to life.
    Rev 01.jpg
    1801 x 1463 - 637K
    Rev 02.jpg
    2462 x 1879 - 984K
    Rev 03.jpg
    2023 x 1568 - 663K
    Rev 04.jpg
    768 x 576 - 105K
    Rev 05.JPG
    900 x 960 - 701K
  • WhitWhit Posts: 4,191
    edited 2009-01-27 03:58
    MSDTech,

    What kind of Tank Treads are those in the last two pics?

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    Whit+


    "We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney
  • MSDTechMSDTech Posts: 342
    edited 2009-01-27 11:51
    The treads and drive motors are by VEX robotics. http://www.vexrobotics.com/
  • dw101sdw101s Posts: 27
    edited 2009-02-01 03:04
    I would definitely recommend the BOE-BOT or the Homework board since you can turn these into a sumo-bot if you choose. Plus the BOE-BOT as you can see is way more flexible.
  • CliffCliff Posts: 11
    edited 2009-02-02 20:07
    How can you turn a boe-bot into some type of sumobot?

    not sure if any of the Sumo-bots accessories are sold separately
  • MSDTechMSDTech Posts: 342
    edited 2009-02-02 22:24
    To turn a BOE-BOT into a sumobot:
    1. Add the QTI Line Follower kit - mount as far forward and to the sides as possible. This will be used to detect the edge of the ring. This is the same sensor used on the sumobot.
    2. Fabricate a front scoop to push your opponent. You should be able to make a reasonable scoop from heavy sheet styrene.
    3. Program for sumo wrestling.
    Note: since you have more exposed side with the BOE-BOT, you might want to paint it to strike fear into your opponents.
  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2009-02-02 23:22
    A sumobot is simply a class of robots, not a brand.
  • CliffCliff Posts: 11
    edited 2009-02-05 19:50
    MSDTech said...
    To turn a BOE-BOT into a sumobot:
    1. Add the QTI Line Follower kit - mount as far forward and to the sides as possible. This will be used to detect the edge of the ring. This is the same sensor used on the sumobot.
    2. Fabricate a front scoop to push your opponent. You should be able to make a reasonable scoop from heavy sheet styrene.
    3. Program for sumo wrestling.
    Note: since you have more exposed side with the BOE-BOT, you might want to paint it to strike fear into your opponents.

    What is the advantage of the QTI Line Follower kit over a simple photoresistor?
  • MSDTechMSDTech Posts: 342
    edited 2009-02-05 23:06
    The major advangate is that it combines the IR LED and IR Phototransistor plus all the passive components into an easy to mount package. The advantage over the photoresistor is that it is faster acting and by providing its own light source it not as influenced by room lighting conditions. Remember, the sensor is behind the scoop, so may not be able to detect the edge of the ring using room lights.
  • WhitWhit Posts: 4,191
    edited 2009-02-06 01:07
    MSDTech said...
    The treads and drive motors are by VEX robotics. http://www.vexrobotics.com/
    MSDTech,

    Thanks for the reply. Sorry it took me so long to say thanks! The treads look great. I probably should have recognized them.

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    Whit+


    "We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney
  • CliffCliff Posts: 11
    edited 2009-02-09 17:01
    thanks MSDTech!
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