I’m pleased to announce the release of my board support package for the MiniRoboMind (MRM). The MRM is a single-board computer based on the 68332 micro-controller and is the heart of BlueBot. I found software support for the MRM to be scattered and incomplete, so I wrote my own with inspiration from existing software. I’ve [...]
Archive of posts tagged robot
KansasFest 2012
KansasFest was a non-stop blast of fun, knowledge, and friends. I presented a session on solar powering an Apple II. To make room for luxuries like cups and water in my 70 square foot van, I had to put my Apple IIs in storage. Due to a bit of luck, I managed to find an [...]
KansasFest 2011 Videos
I gave two presentations at KansasFest 2011, the first an introduction to the Logo programming language and the second a survey of small turtle robots contemporary with the Apple II. Ken Gagne recorded the presentations and has kindly made the videos available. Turtle Robots LOGO: History and Programming
BlueBot Brings Home the Rookie Award
BlueBot brought home the Rookie Award! Check out the classy styrene rain jacket, too. A local authority (Peter’s Wife) observes that “Peter’s robot is awesome.” BlueBot did well in the AVC but did not finish. The ‘bot successfully extricated itself from encounters with rocks, sticks, dirt clods, pine needles, and curbs. The wheels, however, ended up [...]
Compass Integration
After far too much pain and effort, the magnetic compass is integrated with the robot. Calibration is a bit finicky, and I don’t think the SYNC signal is implemented properly. But, the compass works, and the heading matches my mechanical compass. Here are a few lessons learned: RTFM. Set the pin data direction (DDRQS) because [...]
So much to do, so little time
Here’s a new video showing off obstacle avoidance. The robot manages to avoid walls, chairs, tables, couches, and a dog (although the dog usually runs away, probably because it knows the robot’s secret world domination plans). Much work remains, and not enough time remains. I’ve replaced the motors to increase torque. The old, faster, lower [...]
Robot Websites
Here’s a compilation of links relevant to my Sparkfun AVC entry. First off, here are several competitors with blogs. Please let me know if you find more blogs, and I’ll amend this list. Team Hellhound Flake Labs Autonomous Tools Geeknight [added 3/16/2010] Scott Harris [added 3/31/2010] Second, here are several interesting ‘bot websites: Kenneth Maxon [...]
Robot’s First Steps
Lots of work is going into the software, and the robot has broken the surly bonds of my bench supply. Here are a few new pictures with an Apple IIgs shown for scale. Yes, the sonar is nearly falling off. Let that teach me to use double-sided tape. The bottom deck includes the motors, motor [...]
It’s Alive!
SIZE: 9″ (W) x 6″ (L) x 4″ (H) WEIGHT: About 2 pounds BRAINS: MiniRoboMind – A Motorola 68332-based 32-bit processor running at 25 MHz with 512KB RAM and 512KB Flash; Software written in C with GCC; An LCD for taunting competitors; An XBee radio for telemetry and diagnostics BRAWN: Two Pololu Micro Metal Gear-motors with [...]
GPS
The GPS is an amazing piece of technology. Think about it. For less than $100, you can determine your position within a few meters anywhere in the world. One hundred years ago, you needed a compass, sextant, clock, and luck to estimate your position. I’ve used a Garmin Etrex Vista extensively for field checking during [...]