Ultra low cost development platform for micro-robotics which can be easily assembled with through-hole components and a soldering iron. Read more
Ultra low cost development platform for micro-robotics which can be easily assembled with through-hole components and a soldering iron.
About this project
Since November 2010 we have worked with enthusiasts interested in amateur robotics. We wanted to create a low cost platform for building small robots that is flexible enough to work with different form factors but powerful enough to drive sensors, motors, and relays.
Specifically, we need the kit to:
- Be easily assembled by a hobbyist
- Rugged and durable enough for real world applications (rockets, aquatics, competitive robots)
- Low cost using common components
- User serviceable with a soldering iron
- Small size and light weight for aerial vehicles
The purpose of this Kickstarter is to make a platform for future projects in the Robotics club which we will document and make open source for everyone to share.
Features of the board
The board will regulate power from USB power or a battery pack so connecting it to a power source should be simple.
Six easily accessible ADC ports for analog input will give access to VCC, Ground, and an input.
Single Digital port for digital inputs.
LED access for visual feedback of data throughput and power.
Socket for ATMEL Atmega328 compatible with Arduino IDE. The microprocessor should be easily swapped out with others for field upgrades or if the chip gets fried.
Risks and challenges
Challenges for this project include revisions to make the board more user friendly and compatible with emerging technologies. Components will be evaluated for cost, compatibility, durability, and ease of integration.
First and foremost, we want the board to be very low cost and fairly user-upgradable. The board should be able to deal with a fair amount of tinkering without being clunky.
Being active in the Robotics club has shown that most entry level members like to tinker with LEDs first, then move on to sensor input, then gradually to fully autonomous units that function without being tethered to USB.
Once this Kickstarter is funded, we would like to build platforms off this board that can do more and more exciting things like communicating wirelessly with sensor arrays and mobile computing platforms, and to bring these technologies to our LA Robotics club members.
Learn about accountability on KickstarterFAQ
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Yes, the board comes with an ATMEGA328 chip.
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The bottom row of pins at the far side of the board have 6 Analog I/O pins that you can set as INPUT or OUTPUT using pinMode, for example: pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);
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Regarding AdaFruit's FTDI Friend, theoretically it should work since the pins line up the same. We will purchase one and make sure they work, but for now, if you look at our schematic and read the labels on their pins they both line up except for an extra two on our board for the transmit and receive lights:
http://www.weburban.com/store/Olive/Olive_Sch.pdf Let me know if you have any other questions.
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Yes, the board will be sent to you fully assembled.
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Yes, the project will be completely open source and we will be releasing the Schematic and Bill of Materials within the week. We will post details and links on this Kickstarter page.
The board will be a foundation for some of the entry level seminars at LA Robotics Club if you're in the area and want to really get to know this simple board first hand.
Rewards
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Pledge $5 or more
3 backers
Buy the assembled board and pick it up at any Los Angeles Robotics Club Meetup.
No shipping is included with this pledge, so please make arrangements to pick this up in person.
This board does not come with the USB attachment that is necessary to communicate with your computer. USB FTDI boards can be purchased separately or are included in the next pledge step.
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $10 or more
21 backers
Buy the assembled board with the FTDI USB breakout connector and pick it up at any Los Angeles Robotics Club Meetup.
No shipping is included with this pledge, so please make arrangements to pick this up in person.
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $10 or more
19 backers
Buy the assembled board.
Flat rate shipping to anywhere USPS delivers in the USA.
This board does not come with the USB attachment that is necessary to communicate with your computer. USB FTDI boards can be purchased separately or are included in the next pledge step.
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $15 or more
208 backers
Buy the assembled board with the FTDI USB breakout connector.
Flat rate shipping to anywhere USPS delivers.
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $28 or more
122 backers
Field Kit: Program each board and then deploy these boards in the field using the included battery connectors. Includes one FTDI USB breakout connector plus three assembled boards. Flat rate shipping.
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $40 or more
221 backers
Swarm-bot Robotics Kit: Program each board and then use them as independent and autonomous swarm-bots. Includes photoresistor sensors, piezo speakers, and instructions.
Includes one FTDI USB breakout connector and five assembled boards. Flat rate shipping.Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $75 or more
94 backers
Classroom Kit: Instruction in a box.
5 projects to get you started.
10 clone boards, two USB boards, LEDs, photoresistors, 1K resistors, and piezo speakers. Flat rate shipping.Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world
Funding period
- (30 days)