New robot kit Mongoose, what do you think?

[blueroomelectronics]

Here's a photo and a 3D drawing, would like to hear any comments you have.
http://www.blueroomelectronics.com/

Junebug PK2 programmer / debugger / lab connected to a Mongoose

3D Sketchup drawing showing some internal details

[nathan25]

It's really just an advanced verison of the 50$ robot... tho it still is really cool...

[blueroomelectronics]

Doesn't the $50 robot cover only the chassis, wheels & motors? I was under the impression the controller adds a significant cost to that design.

Edit: Ahh that $50 robot  the cardboard wheels one it's pretty neat.
IMHO I've got a Parallax BOE BOT and I'm not fond of modified servos for drive, they're require a pulse just to run. I've used the hardware PWM in the 18F2525, easy to get accurate speed control.

Mongoose with standard 2x16 LCD and concept breadboard expansion

[nathan25]

Not really the chasis is made outta cardboard 
a water bottle, or anything else u can get your hands on that will keep the servos appart from each other. and you are practiclly building the carrier board for yourself.
You know what you shoud add to the mongoose...
tri-spoke wheels...

this way the robot will be able to climb over steps.
I saw it on the discovery channel... they had built a 6-wheeled robot...based on a cochroach... it was really neat.

well thats my two cents into it

nate

the pic might not turn out... but think of them as a peace symbol with the circle cut out half way on one half of the V thingy... all the way around

um like thing
                            /\
                          /   |
                              |      \
                              |____\
                             /
                           /
                          /___

that probably gives the idea

[nathan25]

I'm not fond of modified servos for drive, they're require a pulse just to run. I've used the hardware PWM in the 18F2525, easy to get accurate speed control.

Mongoose with standard 2x16 LCD and concept breadboard expansion

me either i cant stand it it just means alot more programing... thats why for my LRNS (Logical Robotic Navigation System) I'm using the Sabertooth 2x5 motor controller.

[blueroomelectronics]

Cool, as for tri spoke wheels the wheels on the Mongoose are Tamiya 58mm Narrow wheels, they're not that expensive, look nice and work great.

As for stairs the Mongoose is too small, only 58mm high

That Sabertooth 2x5 looks nice but it's $59, a L298 can handle almost as much current and is much cheaper. You still need something to control either of them.

[nathan25]

i was on your site earlier, what does the firefly do?

[blueroomelectronics]

Firefly is a ZIF socket adapter for PICs, it's also a 16F88 demo / tutor. You need an ICD like the Inchworm or Junebug kits to use it.

[nathan25]

ah...sounds interesting, can it be sum how wired into a autonomous rover? what does it control?

[blueroomelectronics]

The Firefly is designed as a PIC programming companion, aside from the Mongoose I have no other kits designed for Mechatronics.

[maverick monk]

not sure id like to have my expencive circut board facing out on the front of the bot... a cover for it might be a good idea, like a pvc/plexiglass plate

[Rebelgium]

not sure id like to have my expencive circut board facing out on the front of the bot... a cover for it might be a good idea, like a pvc/plexiglass plate

True, if that is the front ofcourse, because i'm not sure.
Is there a caster ? What sort is it?

I like the compactness of the mongoose, you can see it has been designed efficiently. (eg: the placement o.t. battery holders, etc.)

All I would recommend is to add bumpers and protection.
and you could make them touch sensitive too...

[blueroomelectronics]

The front has the circuit board, there are four spacers and a I/O connector facing forward designed for mounting user made expansion PCBs like line followers, range finders, bumpers, etc. The front mounted PCB also mounts the rotation sensors.
This leaves the top available for breadboarding and other projects.
The rear ball caster and most of the mechanical parts are all high quality Tamiya kits.