Looking to get into robotics, looking for a starting kit

[Zeeky Boogy Doog]

So, I'm looking at getting a new toy, a programmable robotic arm would be a great, preferably something that I can use C/C++ to program. I was hoping to spend ~100 or so if possible. It doesn't need to be anything terribly complex, just something to play with.

I'm looking for anything I can read about starting up, and any suggestions or tips would be great.

PS. Wasn't quite sure where to put this, this seemed the most logical place...

 

[mundane]

Have you investigated mindstorm? With a couple of actuators/motors you could probably assemble a primitive arm.

(I'd love to get myself the kit, what a toy!)

 

[Zeeky Boogy Doog]

Originally posted by: mundane
Have you investigated mindstorm? With a couple of actuators/motors you could probably assemble a primitive arm.

(I'd love to get myself the kit, what a toy!)

I have looked at it a bit, and I was tempted to get it too, but I was hoping I'd find something that I would have a little more freedom with.

What I'm looking for is something like

http://www.imagesco.com/roboti...-535.html#usbinterface

That arm with the USB interface, but with the ability to use C++ to do the programming instead of the proprietary software.

 

[mundane]

I see. Also, Mindstorm will run you nearly $300, which is above your budget (and mine as well).

Let us know what you settle on - this is something I've been interested in for some time. I don't have the hardware background for a more DIY kit, unfortunately.

 

[Zeeky Boogy Doog]

Originally posted by: mundane
I see. Also, Mindstorm will run you nearly $300, which is above your budget (and mine as well).

Let us know what you settle on - this is something I've been interested in for some time. I don't have the hardware background for a more DIY kit, unfortunately.

Yeah, I would have stretched my budget if it had done just what I wanted, but I have to look around first hoping I find something that's just what I'm looking for...

I was looking into an even more DIY option, trying to rope one of my MechE friends into building me something, but he wasn't sure if he knew how to go about integrating a usb interface

This one is so close, but at 260 it's a little more than I'd like to spend if at all possible, and I'd prefer c++ over basic... though I suppose if I had a way to use the BASIC library in a C++ program it wouldn't really matter much... damn, more to look into...

 

[EagleKeeper]

Most of those robotic arms are just sending data as a proprietary protocol - ASCII characters/numbers that define the type and range of motion.

If you have access to a data stream analyzer, you can usually decipher the data.

Or contact the manufacturer and explain that you are not looking for commercial purposes, but as a hobby. They may provide you the command set.

 

[Zeeky Boogy Doog]

Originally posted by: Common Courtesy
Most of those robotic arms are just sending data as a proprietary protocol - ASCII characters/numbers that define the type and range of motion.

If you have access to a data stream analyzer, you can usually decipher the data.

Or contact the manufacturer and explain that you are not looking for commercial purposes, but as a hobby. They may provide you the command set.

That is a very interesting point, I think I will have to send a few emails tonight!

 

[EagleKeeper]

:gift:

 

[Modelworks]

You really should start a bit lower level than just programming the arm. You need to understand the interface between the microprocessor and the servos and how that works. To get started the first thing I would do is get a easy to use micro development board. Learn how the code all works to turn on and off pins and how things like stepper motors are programmed. Then you can take that information and use any robotic toy out there even if it doesn't have a computer interface. Many people have bought $20 robotic arms that have a handheld controller and modified that to work with a micro.

The easiest way to get started is with ardruino. It doesn't cost much and has a script like language that also allows c routines. You plug the board in via usb and load up the ide that allows you to write the programs and program the board.

The homepage for the devices
http://www.arduino.cc/

The board itself:
http://www.liquidware.com/shop...RD/Arduino+Duemilanove

All the software is free.

 

[Zeeky Boogy Doog]

Originally posted by: Modelworks
You really should start a bit lower level than just programming the arm. You need to understand the interface between the microprocessor and the servos and how that works. To get started the first thing I would do is get a easy to use micro development board. Learn how the code all works to turn on and off pins and how things like stepper motors are programmed. Then you can take that information and use any robotic toy out there even if it doesn't have a computer interface. Many people have bought $20 robotic arms that have a handheld controller and modified that to work with a micro.

The easiest way to get started is with ardruino. It doesn't cost much and has a script like language that also allows c routines. You plug the board in via usb and load up the ide that allows you to write the programs and program the board.

The homepage for the devices
http://www.arduino.cc/

The board itself:
http://www.liquidware.com/shop...RD/Arduino+Duemilanove

All the software is free.

This might actually be pretty ideal if I can get my MechE friend to help me build the arm itself, I think he said he'd be more prepared for that kind of thing after this semester anyway, so a few months of playing with the board and some simple parts would be a great way to get used to it until he can make the full arm...
Thanks for the help everyone!

 

[Kirby]

We had a pretty cool little side project in my OS class that we used roombas connected over bluetooth and programmed for it in C. Don't remember too much about it, except that it was fun.

 

[The J]

The Mindstorm kits seem pretty cool, but I didn't think there was a C interface for it. The kits come with a custom basic version of LabVIEW and I think there's a Python interface for it. The Roomba and its cousin the Create use a simple serial interface like Common Courtesy mentioned. The only thing about the Create is that it comes with only enough of a microcontroller to get the thing to respond to serial commands. You would need your own controller to program or a small laptop/netbook to mount to it.

My senior project was to write a C wrapper for iRobot's command interface and it was pretty cool. We (my professor and I) even used the OpenCV library to hook a camera up to an Eee PC placed atop the Create and have it wander around a bit.