Advanced Modular Mobile Robotics
I got started in hobby robotics back in the '80s with the building of a Heathkit Hero-1. It took a long time to build its' 10 to 15 boards. As I was building I felt there must be a better way.
As with most things Robotic it took a change in the technology to make for a better way. And that is a modular system based on cheap microcontrolers that can be chained together with a backbone. A standardized system, will make a big improvement in all hobby robotics. The backbone I will be using for my system is RS-422 duplex with the NMI Easy-A© protocol.
The NMI people have a little 68hc11 micro called a Drop-Point©, it is chained thru a six wire daisy chain. Data moves thru on the transmit / receive lines and power on the other two. Each micro has a one byte address that is called from the master by ^A and the slaves address. Once called the slave will do whatever it is programmed to do. The software is configured so it can also download new code. Although the address space of the the DP is small, 512 bytes RAM and 512 bytes EEPRom, with its' Forth language on board quite a bit can be done. As the DPs will not be masters and will only need to handle their tasks space should not be problem. In some cases, (i.e. stepper motors, sensors) a PIC micro may be used as a 68hc11 with its' many I/O ports would be overkill.
Here are a few sites for SBCs and Robotics
Siteplayer: A webserver controller
Seeing all the new small robots built on circular platforms got me thinking. If you look around on Nut&Volts you will find metal platforms for a bit more than most people are will ing to pay, just to play with robotics. There are other cheaper systems, down to $10.
How about almost free. If you are a computer person like me you have a lot of stuff related to it lying around. If you cut your own data or music CDs you might have a base for a small robot project and not know it.
A CD-R spindle and the cover plastic inserts that go in it.
If you want to start with a simple system, cutting wheel holes into one of the inserts and using aluminium stand offs and long screws (1/4-20 1-3 in.) will give you a good enough platform for a Stamp based Robot.
Using the CD-R spindle itself with the same inserts as mounting platforms would work as well, and you would have an enclosed Bot. It might be big enough to take a PDA as a controller (I have the Sharp Zaurus SL-5500 PDA ).
Just some thoughts. After the holidays I will be working more on this. I should have some pictures and/or diagrams.
This is a great book for people interested in Hobby robotics. It came from an MIT course and some may say it is overkill, but you will understand robotics.
Mobile Robots: Inspiration to...
Try these robot books:
