My exploration robot based on a propeller
Bipedguy
Posts: 40
With the propeller, I could use the Parallax Propeller Proto board [noparse][[/noparse]http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=32212]. At a discount right now. Definitely worth the price. 8 32-bit processors in it. 32 I/O pins in every chip. The problem I would have is not with the propeller. The Propeller is a master of modern engineering. The thing that would give me a problem would be locomotion. Parallax servos are not powerful (or fast) enough to be used on an exploration bot. I would need some big DC motors. That is a small problem because they wouldn't run on a simple PULSOUT command. Controlling them would be a pain. I still haven't decided whether it is this going to be a remotely controlled 'bot. If if is, I'll want a tiny color camera and a bluetooth comuntications system (personally, i prefer XBee [noparse][[/noparse]www.selmaware.com] ) but I could also use the Embedded Blue Transceiver [noparse][[/noparse]http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=30068]. If it is autonomous, I'll need some heavy-duty (non-parallax, no offense) infrared sensors. If I have to stick to off the shelf parts, i'll get a PING))) sensor [noparse][[/noparse]http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=28015] with a mounting bracket [noparse][[/noparse]http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=570-28015]. A serial GPS reciever [noparse][[/noparse]http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=28146] would also be very good for an exploration robot. For $114.99 each, I could get a High-Torque Hitec servo [noparse][[/noparse]http://www.servocity.com/html/hsr-5995tg_ultra_torque.html] or I could get a high RPM and high torque Dayton gearmotor [noparse][[/noparse]http://www.servocity.com/html/dayton_gear_motors__12v_.html] and wire up a motor controller. Which one do you guys think is better. Maybe I should just use regular parallax servos but they are not very powerful. I have to keep the price low because this is not just a hobby project, it will be sold by the company I founded, Metalloid Robotics & Co.
Total cost with what I have so far
-Propeller Proto Board: $24.95
-2 Parallax continous rotation servos: $12.95 each
-PING))) Ultrasonic Sensor: $29.95
-PING))) Mounting Bracket Kit: $14.95
-Parallax GPS Receiver Module: $79.95
Total cost so far: 175.50 dollars
Not a bad price. There will be an expansion kit including a video camera and an Xbee bluetooth system.
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"Robots are just lights...and clockwork."
Detective Spooner
iRobot
Total cost with what I have so far
-Propeller Proto Board: $24.95
-2 Parallax continous rotation servos: $12.95 each
-PING))) Ultrasonic Sensor: $29.95
-PING))) Mounting Bracket Kit: $14.95
-Parallax GPS Receiver Module: $79.95
Total cost so far: 175.50 dollars
Not a bad price. There will be an expansion kit including a video camera and an Xbee bluetooth system.
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"Robots are just lights...and clockwork."
Detective Spooner
iRobot
Comments
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"Robots are just lights...and clockwork."
Detective Spooner
iRobot
The ProtoBoards, for instance are less in quantity 5. Haven't seen other quantity pricing. Same for the Prop, which is listed somewhere.
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Harley Shanko
h.a.s. designn
If your just going to make us kids some toys to play with, you can't beat one stop shopping at Parallax.
You might go cheaper on the high end if you get BLDC's and design your own servo's with a few Mosfets and transitors.
Good Luck.
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"Robots are just lights...and clockwork."
Detective Spooner
iRobot
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"Robots are just lights...and clockwork."
Detective Spooner
iRobot