Society of Robots - Robot Forum

Electronics => Electronics => Topic started by: pedromatias on June 06, 2015, 08:49:56 AM

Title: I can't buy the pc-board for the 50 dollar robot, and I don't know what to do
Post by: pedromatias on June 06, 2015, 08:49:56 AM
I want to do the 50 dollar robot. I couldn't order the 371 hole PC-style grid board and the photoresistors, because they are from RadioShack and that store doesn't ship to my country Portugal. Now I'm at the part where I need to modify the servos, and after lots of head scratching I found this: http://www.societyofrobots.com/robotforum/index.php?topic=6119.msg112163#msg112163 (http://www.societyofrobots.com/robotforum/index.php?topic=6119.msg112163#msg112163) and discovered I need to do the electronics first. Can anyone link me to a PC board and photoresistors that are compatible with the 50 $ robot and that ship to Portugal? I can find PC boards, but I don't know if they will work and without the board, I can't go any further than making the cardboard wheels :(. Thanks for your time and sorry for bad English.
Title: Re: I can't buy the pc-board for the 50 dollar robot, and I don't know what to do
Post by: mklrobo on June 06, 2015, 04:20:23 PM
 ;D Hello!
In reference to you building and electronic board, you can get a
wirewrapping tool, (radio shack) and small wirewrapping wire to make your own board.
I have not played with the $50 dollar robot, so I am will not be much help to you
there. HOWEVER, I can tell you that programming it will be more involved that hooking up the
electronics. If you do find out how to program it, please tell me. (the HEX file, making)
Good Luck!!!   ;) :) :D ;D
Title: Re: I can't buy the pc-board for the 50 dollar robot, and I don't know what to do
Post by: pedromatias on June 07, 2015, 09:08:08 AM
;D Hello!
In reference to you building and electronic board, you can get a
wirewrapping tool, (radio shack) and small wirewrapping wire to make your own board.
I have not played with the $50 dollar robot, so I am will not be much help to you
there. HOWEVER, I can tell you that programming it will be more involved that hooking up the
electronics. If you do find out how to program it, please tell me. (the HEX file, making)
Good Luck!!!   ;) :) :D ;D
Hey! Thanks for replying! I just checked on Amazon again today (I had checked in Christmas, but no luck). Someone bought the exact PC board of the tutorial and is selling it there (for 2* the price, but it's still cheap enough!). Here's a link to it: http://www.amazon.com/Grid-Style-PC-Board-371-Holes/dp/B004MCYOX6/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1433688745&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=Grid+style+PC+boad (http://www.amazon.com/Grid-Style-PC-Board-371-Holes/dp/B004MCYOX6/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1433688745&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=Grid+style+PC+boad) It ships to my country! The only thing I need help with now is the photoresistors. Will any photoresistors do the trick? I can't get a wirewrapping tool from Radioshack, because they won't ship to my country, perhaps I could get it from another store but now it isn't necessary since I found that reseller on Amazon! About the programming part, the tutorial says it is the easiest part. What do you mean it will be more involved than hooking up the electronics? I thought I just had to do steps 3a ( http://www.societyofrobots.com/step_by_step_robot_step3A.shtml (http://www.societyofrobots.com/step_by_step_robot_step3A.shtml) ) and 3b ( http://www.societyofrobots.com/step_by_step_robot_step3B.shtml (http://www.societyofrobots.com/step_by_step_robot_step3B.shtml) ) and then upload the given .hex file to my servo for it to be OK to modify. Is this not correct?
Title: Re: I can't buy the pc-board for the 50 dollar robot, and I don't know what to do
Post by: mklrobo on June 07, 2015, 09:56:08 AM
 ;D Hello!
Programming the board will be a challenge in itself. It is supposed to be easy, as explained in the
tutorials. I have had problems with connecting to the Axon II, and producing the HEX file. You have to
download a some programs, and integrate them in your computer, in order to program the board. This is to
be expected, but the order and type of program to integrate is concerning. I have figured out all the tough spots, except for getting the Hex file. I bought a bootloader, and it can load the program to the Axon, but I do not have a Hex file to download.  :'(   Check out my posts in the miscellaneous section, Analyzing the Axon Series: Coding, Construction, and Contraptions.   ;D This may save you some headaches. (The information came from the Axon datasheet and instructions from the tutorials, that I tested.)  8) Good luck!!   8)
Title: Re: I can't buy the pc-board for the 50 dollar robot, and I don't know what to do
Post by: Ibaeni on June 07, 2015, 11:27:46 AM
You can find similar boards on ebay or other websites online, generally they will be less expensive than radioshack as well.
Title: Re: I can't buy the pc-board for the 50 dollar robot, and I don't know what to do
Post by: pedromatias on June 08, 2015, 02:55:34 PM
You can find similar boards on ebay or other websites online, generally they will be less expensive than radioshack as well.
Thanks, but I have solved the board problem completely :) Now, I just need to find photoresistors!
;D Hello!
Programming the board will be a challenge in itself. It is supposed to be easy, as explained in the
tutorials. I have had problems with connecting to the Axon II, and producing the HEX file. You have to
download a some programs, and integrate them in your computer, in order to program the board. This is to
be expected, but the order and type of program to integrate is concerning. I have figured out all the tough spots, except for getting the Hex file. I bought a bootloader, and it can load the program to the Axon, but I do not have a Hex file to download.  :'(   Check out my posts in the miscellaneous section, Analyzing the Axon Series: Coding, Construction, and Contraptions.   ;D This may save you some headaches. (The information came from the Axon datasheet and instructions from the tutorials, that I tested.)  8) Good luck!!   8)

Ah man, you're scaring me  :-[ I'm definitely going to bookmark those posts of yours. I also don't understand must of the words you said lol. In the servo modifying article, it said I could do it mechanically (with less precision though). I'll resort to this if necessary, by making another post asking how to do with tools and my hands what the .hex code is doing :) Anyhow, if I have other problems programming, I guess I can resort to the forum :) One last thing, I think someone should tell Admin that it is a bit confusing for newbies like me how that part of the tutorial is written :) Do you think I can contact him?
Title: Re: I can't buy the pc-board for the 50 dollar robot, and I don't know what to do
Post by: mklrobo on June 15, 2015, 09:11:44 AM
 ;D Hello!
A most excellent idea, to contact Admin. He has responded to one of the questions on my post.
I consider myself to be computer literate, and have made some programs for other types of boards
myself. I am not an expert in this by any means, and have started from scratch with this type of
MCU (Axon). I made the post to help a lot of people work out the issues that they may have with the
axon. I went ahead and bought a bootloader; in which, in retrospect, should allow me to program
other boards that do not have the bootloader capability of the Axon.
I reviewed the datasheet on the Axon MCU, and I think, that it is one impressive MCU, capable of
a lot. I have not seen anyone, lately, (and not much in the past) fully explain their projects from
code to construction, or the features of the Axon that they took advantage of to obtain their goal.
This is another reason I started my post. When I, or you, break through the HEX conundrum,  :P
I think you will see a lot of people come forward with their projects too. The only thing left is
to make programs that take advantage of the features, so that anyone can use those "snippets"
of code to learn/use in their own robot. ;D
Title: Re: I can't buy the pc-board for the 50 dollar robot, and I don't know what to do
Post by: pedromatias on June 17, 2015, 08:46:53 AM
;D Hello!
A most excellent idea, to contact Admin. He has responded to one of the questions on my post.
I consider myself to be computer literate, and have made some programs for other types of boards
myself. I am not an expert in this by any means, and have started from scratch with this type of
MCU (Axon). I made the post to help a lot of people work out the issues that they may have with the
axon. I went ahead and bought a bootloader; in which, in retrospect, should allow me to program
other boards that do not have the bootloader capability of the Axon.
I reviewed the datasheet on the Axon MCU, and I think, that it is one impressive MCU, capable of
a lot. I have not seen anyone, lately, (and not much in the past) fully explain their projects from
code to construction, or the features of the Axon that they took advantage of to obtain their goal.
This is another reason I started my post. When I, or you, break through the HEX conundrum,  :P
I think you will see a lot of people come forward with their projects too. The only thing left is
to make programs that take advantage of the features, so that anyone can use those "snippets"
of code to learn/use in their own robot. ;D
Ok, I'll make sure to contact admin when I finish the 50$ robot (if I can finish it, hehe) and make a list with all the things I didn't understand at first, to help all other newbies. I mean, it might look stupid to robot builders like you, but I didn't even know what a microcontroller was :) When I had the parts (without the board) I spent more time than I'd like to admit trying to connect the servo to something that fit to upload the hex file heheheh ;) Anyhow, if I can't program it using the .hex file, I will try to modify the servos mechanically, by googling or asking how to do it. Anyway it turns out, I think I'll make a video explaining the process. I'll do whatever method works with the first servo, and then film myself doing it for the second one. What do you think?
Title: Re: I can't buy the pc-board for the 50 dollar robot, and I don't know what to do
Post by: mklrobo on June 17, 2015, 12:29:21 PM
 :) Hello!
First, I, in no way, implied that you were stupid. I have had the same problem as you. I need help
with the programming, no doubt.
When I saw this forum, and read some of the posts, and the tutorials, it seemed easy to use the
Axon series. I invested a lot of time/money/effort in order to understand and program the Axon.
You are right, if you can not compile the Hex file, the robot will never work.
I have worked with small MCU's like this, and I am still stumped.( :-\  ) I may have gotten a virus,
downloaded something wrong, or whatever. I have found info pointing to a direct way to compile
the object file to a hex file, but have been unsuccessful in making it work.
In reference to your videos, I would definitely do a dry run first, maybe making notes, then go through
with your video.
I believe other people are having the same problem, that is probably why you have not seem many
people respond to your posts. (and mine).
Once this problem is resolved, and other people see your video and my posts, that will pretty much eliminate anyone having any problems starting out. After that, more people will be encouraged to use the Axon, and post their projects on this forum.  ;D
 8) I do not wish to discourage anyone from using the Axon. It seems problematic now, but it is being used everywhere, and is a very versatile MCU. If I knew the answer to help you, I would definitely tell you.
I am still working on the problem, even though I feel Hexed.  ;)
Title: Re: I can't buy the pc-board for the 50 dollar robot, and I don't know what to do
Post by: pedromatias on June 21, 2015, 04:07:14 PM
:) Hello!
First, I, in no way, implied that you were stupid. I have had the same problem as you. I need help
with the programming, no doubt.
When I saw this forum, and read some of the posts, and the tutorials, it seemed easy to use the
Axon series. I invested a lot of time/money/effort in order to understand and program the Axon.
You are right, if you can not compile the Hex file, the robot will never work.
I have worked with small MCU's like this, and I am still stumped.( :-\  ) I may have gotten a virus,
downloaded something wrong, or whatever. I have found info pointing to a direct way to compile
the object file to a hex file, but have been unsuccessful in making it work.
In reference to your videos, I would definitely do a dry run first, maybe making notes, then go through
with your video.
I believe other people are having the same problem, that is probably why you have not seem many
people respond to your posts. (and mine).
Once this problem is resolved, and other people see your video and my posts, that will pretty much eliminate anyone having any problems starting out. After that, more people will be encouraged to use the Axon, and post their projects on this forum.  ;D
 8) I do not wish to discourage anyone from using the Axon. It seems problematic now, but it is being used everywhere, and is a very versatile MCU. If I knew the answer to help you, I would definitely tell you.
I am still working on the problem, even though I feel Hexed.  ;)

I know you didn't imply I was stupid! I merely said that my ignorance might look stupid to an experienced builder like you :) I have been googling a lot about robots and stuff, and I really wish that there would be a 50 dollar robot based on something like the Raspberry Pi or the Arduino. I think they are very "hip" now, and it would be easier to get parts and help! I really think the Raspberry Pi is the way to go if someone creates a new first robot tutorial. Programmable in Python, a language very suitable for beginners like me, and it has plenty of projects we can make, less trouble to get the pieces for people that are not in the US and it isn't very expensive. Plus, I could use the Pi for other projects, but I doubt I'll ever be able to use the pieces I bought for this robot, because I don't understand what the hell they are hehehe. Thanks for replying, and again, I know you didn't say I was stupid, but I feel stupid whenever I read about robots hahah
Title: Re: I can't buy the pc-board for the 50 dollar robot, and I don't know what to do
Post by: mklrobo on June 22, 2015, 05:40:22 AM
 ;D Hello!
I am guilty myself, I went ahead and bought a Raspberry Pi 2, with the Wheezy package from Adfruit.
I have heard so many good things and the PI, and It is frustrating to buy something and not be able to use
it as easily as advertised. Everybody I know uses a Pi, and has been programming it with no problem.
I loaded AVR studio 6 yesterday, in hopes that, that software could help me with the hex file.
I feel like I had to download half the world into my computer. Now, I have to figure out how that works,
and it looks complicated.  ??? 
I am in a real tough spot, to try to get the Axon to program. I will just keep plugging away at it.
the Axon would make a nice accessory to the PI, were I get either one to work.   :(
Good Luck!!!   :) :D ;D
Title: Re: I can't buy the pc-board for the 50 dollar robot, and I don't know what to do
Post by: pedromatias on June 23, 2015, 07:06:20 PM
;D Hello!
I am guilty myself, I went ahead and bought a Raspberry Pi 2, with the Wheezy package from Adfruit.
I have heard so many good things and the PI, and It is frustrating to buy something and not be able to use
it as easily as advertised. Everybody I know uses a Pi, and has been programming it with no problem.
I loaded AVR studio 6 yesterday, in hopes that, that software could help me with the hex file.
I feel like I had to download half the world into my computer. Now, I have to figure out how that works,
and it looks complicated.  ??? 
I am in a real tough spot, to try to get the Axon to program. I will just keep plugging away at it.
the Axon would make a nice accessory to the PI, were I get either one to work.   :(
Good Luck!!!   :) :D ;D
Hehehe, the Pi is my backup plan in case this fails. The board should about to arrive, it's already in the time span I was given since Monday. I'm going to try to do the electronics part of the 50 dollar robot, then see if I upload the file to the servo in some way, probably with a lot of googling and asking, and then make the mechanics part OR, make the electronics part first, fail to upload the .hex file, modify the servo mechanically without the file, and do the mechanics part after the electronics. If you do find out how to upload that 50 dollar robot .hex file magic thingy, please notify me or write one of your posts! Thanks for helping me out!
Title: Re: I can't buy the pc-board for the 50 dollar robot, and I don't know what to do
Post by: mklrobo on June 23, 2015, 08:18:27 PM
 ;D Hello!
I have just got a program to compile to a HEX file! Yaaaaa!   ;D
Check out my post in the misceallanous  section,
Analyzing the Axon: Coding, Construction, and Contraptions.
I will follow up with more explanations, from a basic code to actually programming
the Axon. Check it out!!   8)
Title: Re: I can't buy the pc-board for the 50 dollar robot, and I don't know what to do
Post by: pedromatias on June 26, 2015, 07:36:49 AM
Great!!!!! This gives me hope hehehe :)