Shop OBEX P1 Docs P2 Docs Learn Events
Where to start — Parallax Forums

Where to start

sdiguanasdiguana Posts: 11
edited 2014-01-02 07:26 in General Discussion
Hi All,

I found my way onto parallax's site from letsmakerobots, and would like to get into robotics. The problem is, I'm not sure where the appropriate place for me to start is... I'm hoping you guys can help!

I am leaning towards purchasing the activity bot since it seems like it would give the most mileage for the hardware, but wasn't sure what (if any) workbooks would be associated with it. The What is a Microprocessor? kit seemed like I'd run through it in short order. Money is an issue, i want to limit my total purchases to $400ish (or less) in books / parts /tools for the next 6 months.

I took an Electrical Engineering course & lab in college (for engineering), so while i don't remember much at the moment, i believe I'd quickly be refreshed. I am reasonable in MATLAB and can stumble my way around in python. Reasonable diy skills at soldering.

If anyone can make a suggestion on books and kits to get me sailing, it would be much appreciated.


A second question, what is going to constitute the basic / minimum set of tools to work on well on the boards? in using amazon's 'look inside' feature, the beginner propeller book says an oscilloscope is a must. is that true?



Thank you,

jon

Comments

  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2014-01-01 15:49
    Hi Jon,

    The ActivityBot (AB) is a great place to get started.

    There's a lot of free tutorials to learn to use the Propeller.

    I have a list of this tutorials in post #3 of my index (see signature).

    You can do a lot with just the AB without needing to get extra gear right now. You'll eventually want to get a soldering iron and there are several threads discussion the various options.

    Oscilloscopes are great but far from a must. You can rig up the Propeller to act as a sort of oscilloscope. This isn't something you need to worry about to start with.

    A lot will depend on what you want to do.

    While I think the AB is a good value there are certainly ways to making a less expensive robot. Here's my thread on the subject of a cheap bot.

    I list some books in my index as well. I wish I had Gordon McComb's Robot Builder's Bonanza 4th Ed. when I started building robots. Lots of good stuff in it. You can often find Gordon on these forums.

    Have you posted on LMR lately? Or did you read about Parallax in someone else's thread?
  • Mike GreenMike Green Posts: 23,101
    edited 2014-01-01 16:01
    The Activity Bot is a good choice. You can do robotics, programming, learning about digital (and analog) components. Parallax has lots and lots of educational materials. Much of it has been written for the Stamp microcontroller, but some have already been redone for the Propeller and the Activity Board particularly (or the Propeller Board of Education which is similar). Go through the Learn website for these newer educational materials.

    You don't need an oscilloscope unless your main interest is in studying analog signal processing. The Propeller itself can act as a basic oscilloscope and logic analyzer using ViewPort and, with a fast external analog to digital converter and some other external components, can be used as a pretty good digital oscilloscope and logic analyzer as in the PropScope.
  • sdiguanasdiguana Posts: 11
    edited 2014-01-01 16:19
    not sure how i got from LMR to here, i think a link via the boe bot somehow. Amazon advertisement link maybe...? I had not posted there, just searching for where to get started.

    I'm glad to hear an oscilloscope isn't needed right off... I'm trying to keep the budget minimal till i know what i want to do with it.

    does the propeller education kit's book work with the activity bot's board? i was considering these two texts, but i'm not sure if i needed the kit version for the fundamentals book or if i can use the pieces off the bot version to do the same:
    Propeller Education Kit Labs: Fundamentals Text
    Programming the Propeller with Spin: A Beginner's Guide to Parallel Processing

    ...or is the Learn.Parallax sufficient in of itself?
  • Matt GillilandMatt Gilliland Posts: 1,406
    edited 2014-01-02 07:26
    Hi sdiguana - Welcome to the Forums :-)

    I'd agree with Mike and Duane - the Activity Bot is a great place to start. And like the others mentioned, you don't need a bunch of extra stuff (like o'scopes) to get going.

    -MattG
Sign In or Register to comment.