Is a Basic Stamp enough for this project?

[BigBoostin98]

Hello everyone, this is my first post and hopefully I have come to the right place to ask this question. I am wanting to build a relatively simple programmable robot that can get me a beer. I plan on the robot sitting at a prepositioned location, and then upon activation driving to a set location (modified mini fridge). Then retrieve a beer with a simple open/close type end-effector which it would also use to open the door, and return to its original location with the beer. My question is whether a Basic Stamp II would be a sufficient micro controller to handle this type of programming. I have have had the stamp for a long time, but never got around to learning Pbasic, so there will be a good bit of learning involved in this project, but I figure this is as good a project as any to learn some programming. If a stamp is not sufficient, what type of micro controller would be recommended, preferably one with easy to learn programming. Thank you in advance

-Joe

[blackbeard]

it's definitely capable. the thing i'd worry about is that the stamp is so expensive that you'll eventually want to rip it out rendering your creation brainless but if that's what you have then go for it. pbasic is brutally but in the long run it's very limited as anyone here will tell you. the basic stamp is also limited by the fact that it only interpret's the code rather then actual compiling it although you simply can't beat it for simplicity (unless you buy a picaxe but that's even more limited). a really good platform if you want a happy medium between simplicity and functionality is the arduino which uses a simplified version of C. the arduino duemilanove(sp) can be found for about $30 shipped on ebay which includes the board (sort of like the basic stamp boe board) and the atmel chip loaded with the arduino bootloader. the real advantage with the arduino is that you can buy replacement atmel chips pre loaded with the arduino bootloader on ebay in lots of 3 or more for $10 meaning you can effectively add a microcontroler to any project for about $5 if you include all the support components as apposed to $50 using the stamp.

[waltr]

Yep, its limited in the long run but can be used to get started. Just plan on any connections to be made easy to move to a different processor board. This way it is not too hard to move up to a faster processor.

For now there is much more than just learning to program. You will also need to learn some electronics and mechanics and the Stamp will work as you figure out how to control motors, actuators and read sensors.

good luck and have fun.

[BigBoostin98]

Thanks for the help guys, I will look into the other Uc you mentioned.