What is the best robotics kit available for $500 or less?

habib

I am looking for a Christmas present for my husband. He works in the field of artificial intelligence. I have seen several robotics kits, but I am unsure which is best for someone who is older (26) and has a lot of programming experience, but not much experience with robotics hardware.


Thanks



Post Edited By Moderator (Dave Andreae (Parallax)) : 5/24/2010 8:49:59 PM GMT

Oldbitcollector (Jeff)

Get him a Parallax Stingray, PING))) sensors, and a serial LCD module.

You'll spend a little more than $400.00 and give him a robot kit that is extremely well designed.

OBC

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Mike Green

I'd suggest a StingRay (www.parallax.com/Store/Robots/AllRobots/tabid/755/ProductID/601/List/1/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName,ProductName) plus a couple of PING)))s (www.parallax.com/StoreSearchResults/tabid/768/txtSearch/ping/List/0/SortField/4/ProductID/620/Default.aspx).

There are cheaper ways to get started like the BoeBot, but, given the fact that he has a lot of programming experience, he will appreciate the capabilities of the Propeller microcontroller. It's possible to start with a BoeBot (www.parallax.com/StoreSearchResults/tabid/768/txtSearch/boebot/List/0/SortField/4/ProductID/296/Default.aspx) and add a PING))) and its matching servo motor and bracket (www.parallax.com/StoreSearchResults/tabid/768/List/0/SortField/4/ProductID/248/Default.aspx?txtSearch=ping+servo+bracket), then replace the Stamp with a Propeller like the Propeller Protoboard.

Another good way to get started would be the new Scribbler 2 expected to be for sale in August (www.parallax.com/ProductInfo/Robotics/TheScribbler2/tabid/826/Default.aspx). This is a really good Propeller-based introductory robot with a tremendous amount of potential. With its built-in microphone and speaker, it can also be used as a platform for experimenting with speech synthesis and speech recognition using existing speech synthesis software as a base.

W9GFO

Motor boats and Steroids??? Is this a real person?

Rich H

edit: the original post had links in the signature - one that said "motor boats" and the other a link to online steroids.

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The Simple Servo Tester, a kit from Gadget Gangster.

Post Edited (W9GFO) : 5/24/2010 10:20:44 PM GMT

John R.

The posters other two posts are about careers, and virtually identical to each other. Me suspects SPAM...

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John R.
Click here to see my Nomad Build Log

W9GFO

John R. said...
The posters other two posts are about careers, and virtually identical to each other. Me suspects SPAM...

I saw that too. Regardless, the question has netted some quality responses.

Rich H

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The Simple Servo Tester, a kit from Gadget Gangster.

hys8312

StingRay and PING))) Kit for Stingray look very interesting. Anyone can suggest a remote control for that combination? Also is TSL1401 Linescan Imaging Sensor Daughterboard cpmpatible with it?

Thanks.



Post Edited (hys8312) : 5/27/2010 4:59:18 AM GMT