Author Topic: Starter Kit  (Read 2502 times)

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Offline BenBillyTopic starter

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Starter Kit
« on: December 05, 2014, 02:51:30 PM »
I'm sure you've been asked this a lot so I'm sorry to be another who ask but I'm looking to buy a robotics starter kit something that I can experiment with and gain experience. Currently I'm studying electronics at A level and have studied pic tutor and ladder logic programming languages now i don't know if these are used in robotics but anyway is there a kit with loads of different parts in which i can possibly program to do different things because i love programming at the minute in computing and electronics I'm willing to pay up to/around £100 in price.

Thanks,

Ben
« Last Edit: December 05, 2014, 03:29:06 PM by BenBilly »

Offline Schlayer

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Re: Starter Kit
« Reply #1 on: December 05, 2014, 09:04:42 PM »
There are about 100 kits out there, a few in that price range. Of those that immediately come to mind...
Arduino kit - micro controller, involves programming and building from bare component kit parts.
http://www.amazon.com/Arduino-Ultimate-Starter-Includes-Instruction/dp/B00BT0NDB8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1417833622&sr=8-2&keywords=the+arduino+starter+kit

VEX kits - a bit out of your price range but they use a system like an erector set and are thus modular and easy to build hardware wise. Designed rouse RC controller or programmed automation. Many variations.
http://www.robotmesh.com/dual-control-starter-kit

OWI Kits - dirt cheap, but you get what you pay fore. Easy to assemble cheap plastic parts, the servers are slow and not too powerful, but it's OK to learn from for a first time roboticist.
http://www.amazon.com/OWI-536-All-Terrain-Robot-Kit/dp/B004P4WTB0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1417834193&sr=8-2&keywords=owi+robotic
http://www.amazon.com/OWI-OWI-535-Robotic-Arm-Edge/dp/B0017OFRCY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417834293&sr=8-1&keywords=owi+robotic

Lynxmotion kits - bridging the gap between VEX and OWI, these use similar construction to OWI with the quality and similar price range to VEX. MANY different project options, be careful of 'sold separately' and 'hardware only' lables.
http://www.lynxmotion.com/c-130-al5d.aspx
http://www.lynxmotion.com/p-882-servo-erector-set-ses-v11.aspx (very pricey)

Radioshack's Make-It Kit - not too expensive and MAKE is usually pretty sweet for beginners, though you need the Arduino Uno rev 3 sold separately which rounds out the price to about $100 USD
http://www.radioshack.com/make-it-robotics-starter-kit/2770168.html?utm_source=GooglePLA&utm_medium=pla&utm_term=2770168&cid=iP:PLA:RSO:Google#.VIJxa1YgPvE
http://www.amazon.com/UNO-Board-2012-Mega328p-atmega16u2-Cable/dp/B00CW3R0BA/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1417834931&sr=1-5&keywords=arduino+uno+r3+board



I hope one of those helps!



Offline BenBillyTopic starter

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Re: Starter Kit
« Reply #2 on: December 06, 2014, 05:06:18 AM »
So does this kit have the ability to have more sensors added at a later date?:

http://www.radioshack.com/make-it-robotics-starter-kit/2770168.html?utm_source=GooglePLA&utm_medium=pla&utm_term=2770168&cid=iP:PLA:RSO:Google#.VILigzGsVWh&tab=tab3

I have been also looking at this bot which is more about programming because its already built is there another kit like this but cheaper?

http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Robot

Thanks again,

Ben
« Last Edit: December 06, 2014, 05:07:58 AM by BenBilly »

Offline Schlayer

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Re: Starter Kit
« Reply #3 on: December 07, 2014, 09:32:51 PM »
So does this kit have the ability to have more sensors added at a later date?:

http://www.radioshack.com/make-it-robotics-starter-kit/2770168.html?utm_source=GooglePLA&utm_medium=pla&utm_term=2770168&cid=iP:PLA:RSO:Google#.VILigzGsVWh&tab=tab3

Yes. Since it runs off an Arduino Uno, and Arduino shields or sensors Adafruit (maker of the Arduino) sells that are compatible with the Uno should be compatible with this bot. :)


I have been also looking at this bot which is more about programming because its already built is there another kit like this but cheaper?

A quick google search led me to the Boe-Bot kit <http://www.amazon.com/Parallax-28832-Programmable-Boe-Bot-Robot-Kit/dp/B0007ZQ2CS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418009338&sr=8-1&keywords=boe-bot+robot+kit#customerReviews> Which seems like it would suit your needs.
"The Boe-Bot robot takes about 1-2 hours to put together, though each project in the Robotics text provides a unique new experience of wiring and source code tuning. No programming or electronics experience is needed!
Completing the entire set of projects takes 50 hours and is suitable for anybody over 12 years of age."

Best of luck!


Offline bdeuell

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Re: Starter Kit
« Reply #4 on: December 07, 2014, 11:22:33 PM »
I can personally recommend the Boe-bot. Depending on your programming and electrical experience the you may be able to breeze right through the tutorials but for a beginner they are a great guide and teach a lot of the basics. This is how i got started in robotics!

If you have some experience it is still a great little platform and is easy to add sensors or other mechanical bits, with an onboard breadboard and slotted aluminum chassis. I recently revived my (10 year old) boe-bot outfitting it with a new arduino. I had the little robot following my foot or wandering the apartment in no time. At one point I was working on turning the boe-bot into a vacuum, never completed the project but did get a good part of the mechanics and some of the electronics built.

Also note, the robot is available in several versions including arduino or basic stamp controller.


Offline BenBillyTopic starter

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Re: Starter Kit
« Reply #5 on: December 08, 2014, 01:57:18 PM »
Ok so I have been looking into this boe-bot system and found this http://www.parallax.com/product/32335 would you say its the same as the kit you linked above, if not what is it lacking over the one above?

Thanks,

Ben

Offline bdeuell

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Re: Starter Kit
« Reply #6 on: December 08, 2014, 05:48:07 PM »
BenBilly - the link you found is to a version which includes an Arduino controller the link Schlayer provided is to a basic stamp version. Here is a comparison of th various Boe-Bot versions http://www.parallax.com/sites/default/files/downloads/Parallax-Small-Robot-Comparison-Chart-v1.1.pdf. Also note that Parallax is the company that produces this robot.

Please note - I don't have anything against the other robot kits out there and am sure many of them are great, but I don't have experience with them.

 


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