activitybot vs boebot

bando

Which kit is best to buy for a 12 year old to get started with robotics?

Does activitybot have the same tutorial or projects that appear in written form for boebot?

anyboy recommend any other add-ons if getting started?

thanks in advance.

Bando

Mike Green

The ActivityBot is based on the Propeller microcontroller while the BoeBot is based on the Basic Stamp which is much older. As a result of its age, the Basic Stamp has a huge collection of educational material, tutorials, and projects available for it. The Propeller, on the other hand, is much more sophisticated so it can do many things that the Basic Stamp either cannot do or can't do well. Many of the fundamental tutorials for the Stamps have been converted over to be used with the Propeller as well and new tutorials for some of its advanced capabilities have been created and more will be forthcoming.

As an example of the capabilities of the ActivityBot vs the BoeBot, the ActivityBot has the ability to store data and programs on an SD memory card (included) on the board. It has the ability to read (and generate) analog voltages which the BoeBot can do, but with very limited capabilities without adding additional hardware. The ActivityBot can speak and produce other complex sounds without anything additional.

There are other features, like a built-in socket for any of several wireless adapters (xBee, WiFi, Bluetooth) along with sample software to use it.

I would add the Veho Speaker and the xBee kit. The xBee Manual can be downloaded from Parallax's webstore page (under "Downloads").