March Robot Giveaway to Celebrate GoRobotics’ 10th Birthday

Posted on by & filed under Industry, RobotShop.

Free Robot Parts to Celebrate GoRobotics' Birthday

It’s that time again! Time for the March celebration of GoRobotics’ 10th Birthday. We’re once again giving away fabulous robot prizes to 3 lucky winners. Previous contests have been great, and we’re excited to be doing it again with prizes from our sponsors Pololu, Super Droid Robots, Zagros Robotics, Solarbotics and No Starch Press.

There are four ways of entering this month’s contest:

1. Simply comment on this post and tell us your favorite robot websites.
2. Follow GoRobotics on Twitter and leave a comment below telling us your Twitter username.
3. Follow RobotBox on Twitter and leave a comment below telling us your Twitter username.
4. Retweet the following, “Enter @GoRobotics.net’s 10 Year Birthday Robot Giveaway http://wp.me/pgDpL-kM“. Leave a comment when you do.

YOU CAN DO ALL FOUR (four comments) TO INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING!

Winners will be chosen at random. Three winners will be chosen and the first winners will get his/her choice of the prizes, second place gets second choice and third place gets whatever is left over! The contest ends MARCH 31st, 2010 at 12AM EST. Comments are moderated to prevent spam. Your comment won’t show up till the moderator has approved it. Here are this month’s prizes:

1st Place Prize – Orangutan B-328 Robot Controller (donated by Pololu), 2x 24V 195 RPM Gear Motors (donated by Super Droid Robots), and The LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Idea Book (donated by No Starch Press) – worth $100

The Baby Orangutan B-328 robot controller from Pololu is the perfect choice for a brain for your robot. Its 24 pin compact form allows it to fit into very small robots without sacrificing its powerful AVR microcontroller and 2 channel motor drivers. Yep, that’s right – this little guy is both a controller and a motor driver! All you need to add is sensors and some motors. It has an ATMega328P processor, an onboard potentiometer and LED, and 32 KB flash, 2 KB RAM, and 1 KB EEPROM. The motor driver can handle up to 1A continuos per channel, 3A peak.

These powerful 24V motors donated by Super Droid Robots will kick-start your next robot project. They are high-quality motors with steel gears (not cheap plastic), and used in Super Droid’s All-terrain robots. They use a 1:27 gear reduction and have an amazing 12 kgf-cm of torque. That means they could lift a 26 lb (12 kg) load using a 1 cm lever arm! They are rated for < 250 mA of drive current. Note: These motors are probably  bit too big to be driven directly from the Baby Orangutan B-328P. Try the Dual MC33926 Motor Driver Carrier

The LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Idea Book features chapters on programming and design, CAD-style drawings, and abundance of screenshots make it easy for the reader to master the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT kit and to build and program nine example robots. Chapters cover using the NXT programming language (NXT-G) as well as troubleshooting; design; software; sensors; Bluetooth; even how to create a NXT remote control.

 

2nd Place Prize – Arduino Duemilanove, Tamiya Gear Box and Sport Tires (donated by Zagros Robotics), and The Unofficial LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Inventor’s Guide (donated by No Starch Press) - worth $75

The Arduino Duemilanove is a powerful and simple robot controller built around the AtMega328P microcontroller. It comes with a bootloader already on the device so you can easily write and download programs using only a USB cable. It has many digital and analog IO lines to make connecting it to your project easy.

The Tamiya double gearbox is perfect for use in amateur robot contests, this gearbox is suitable for use with remote controlled robots. Choice of 4 gear ratios, offers emphasis on speed or power to suit your needs. Left/right independent design means you can set different gear ratios for either side. Coupled with the Sport Tire set, you’ll have a great robot propulsion system to hook up to your Duemilanove.

The LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT set is a very powerful robotics toolkit, but it lacks a detailed user’s guide. This is the user’s guide that every MINDSTORMS owner needs. The Unofficial LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Inventor’s Guide begins by introducing the NXT set and directing the reader through setup. Following this is an in-depth discussion of the set’s electronic elements and other LEGO pieces as well as building techniques. Next, it covers the NXT-G programming environment and introduces several unofficial programming languages, providing examples of code and programming insights along the way. Finally, it presents a method for designing NXT robots in addition to a series of projects with building and programming instructions for creating complete robots.

3rd Place Prize – Herbie the Mousebot Kit (donated by Solarbotics), and LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Thinking Robots (donated by No Starch Press) – worth $75

The Herbie the Mousebot Kit from Solarbotics is a great way to introduce ourself or a child to robotics. The kit is a 9-volt battery-powered light-following robot that loves to chase flash light beams. These little robots are so quick, you have to run to keep up to them! We’ve even enhanced Herbiewith functional whisker and tail sensors, so he doesn’t get stuck in corners or under obstacles while chasing around. It doesn’t require a microcontroller or any programming and the kit comes with all the parts and documentation to get started.

LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Thinking Robots includes full building and programming instructions for two of Daniele Benedettelli’s most unique creations—a brand new version of his famous Rubik’s Cube solver and an interactive Tic-Tac-Toe playing robot.

Rules/Regulations/Fine Print:

  • To enter the contest, you must comment on this post.
  • Giveaway ends March 31st, at 12AM EST (9PM PST)
  • One prize package per winner.
  • No purchase is necessary to enter the contest – it’s free!
  • Everyone is eligible, but shipping is free to only those in the Continental US – if you are outside this area, you will have to pay for shipping.
  • PayPal is required to pay for shipping if you live out of the Continental US
  • Winners will be contacted via email supplied in the comment form.
  • You have 48 hrs to respond to the email and choose your prize package.
  • GoRobotics.net makes NO WARRANTY or GUARANTEES about these prizes.
  • GoRobotics.net can change the rules WHENEVER IT WANTS.

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors! BUY STUFF FROM THEM:

SPONSORED BY:

 

SuperDroid Robots logo

202 Responses to “March Robot Giveaway to Celebrate GoRobotics’ 10th Birthday”

  5. Kerry

    Hey all, following gorobotics from @sirkerrald. Also, contests rule. As does this site. And cookies.

  7. Francesco Corsini

    My favoureite robot website is this! GoRobotocs!
    but i also like LMR=”LetsMakeRobots.com”

  8. Francesco Corsini

    I’m following GoRobotics on Twitter!!
    User Name: fraco92

  10. Calvin Tirrell

    My 1st favorite would be either Trossen Robotics or Robosavvy.
    My 2nd favorite is definitely: GoRobotics.

  12. Thomas McCaffrey

    The robotspodcast.com website is very informative. The podcasts are available on iTunes.

  14. Francesco Corsini

    I’m following RobotBox on twitter!
    User Name: fraco92

  16. gokhan

    I follow BotJunkie, robots.net, goRobotics.net and robot dreams…

  29. Victor

    Socieyofrobots.com is a great site and their $50 robot tutorial is great!

    Following both.

    Retweeted.

    username: Razorconcepts

  33. InterIntel

    Following trossenrobotics, LetsMakeRobots, singularityhub, LRIG_ORG, planetrobotics, theyarecoming, robotsdotnet, and GetRoboticsJobs to name a few.

  42. Addidis

    Favorite robot websites:
    trossenrobotics.com
    hackaday.com
    robots.net

  45. Addidis

    Following robotbox on twitter,
    My twitter username is Addidis

  51. Matt Thouvenot

    Congratulations on your ten year anniversary! I love the prizes! I wish the LEGO Mindstorms were around when I was younger. I still have my old set in a box somewhere. :)

    Back in February 1987, Boys’ Life magazine published an article about a robot you can build from a remote controlled toy car, named GISMO2BL. My grandpa helped me build one in his workshop. That was what started it all for me, and is what I think of ad nostalgium. One of their latest builds: http://media.scouting.org/boyslife/workshop/gismo.pdf

    While I was much younger I was privileged enough to take a summer class for an intro to robotics. It was basically one of those kit robots that you can build from scratch, including the soldering on the circuit board. Mine was one that turned whenever it bumped into the wall or when you clap loud enough. I’m also voting for Edmund Scientifics because you can still buy robots like that from there:
    http://scientificsonline.com/

  53. Matt Thouvenot

    I’m following GoRobotics on Twitter. (I don’t have a twitter account, but a company printer, lbPrint, does.) Username is lbPrint.

  57. Brett Woollum

    DIYDrones.com and RCGroups.com are both pretty informative!

  58. Dale Klein

    Wow, you guys are awesome for giving away this great stuff. My son and I would love to play with these. In fact, I’m tempted to just go order them already…. Hope we win them!!!

  62. Kelly Taylor

    Favorite is Parallax because of the forum there. I’m just getting started with this & need help all the time!

  64. NXTreme

    Well, I would have to say that my favorite robotics site is http://www.letsmakerobots.com. However, my favorite robotics forum is located at NXTasy.com. While it only deals with the Lego Mindstorms it is still my favorite:)

  68. Harrison

    If you even want to consider it a robotics website, I would say nxtasy.org

  74. Calvin Tirrell

    Following @GoRobotics and @Robotbox using my twitter account @CT0110…
    I also retweeted the Enter the Giveaway Post.

  78. Joker94

    I think what you guys are doing is fantastic and a great way to help robot enthusiast along. I as i am sure every one else does appreciates the opportunity you are giving us all.

    If i won a prize pack it would be fantastic(especially the motors). I would finally be able to get my new bot to move. And not to mention all of the other possibilities.

    Thanks very much for the opportunity

  81. Nathanael

    My favorite robot website is thenxtstep.blogspot.com who I actually found out about this contest from.

  86. Koldo

    My twitter is I’m following robotbox
    @koldolrobotikas and I am following @gorobotics

  99. koal

    I do love youtube.com, it allows me not only think over robots, their forms and destination but it also helps me much to introduce world of robots to my 4-years old son.

  104. andy

    This is the best site for building instructions for mindstorms nxt !!!

    You almost have hundreds of building instructions!

  106. Nate A

    Hope I win. Want the books! favorite site is the Mindstorms site on lego.com

  108. Steven Gilligan

    I’m following both on twitter and I retweeted! Of course, robotshop.com/gorobotics is my favorite robot website! (twitter : gilligansteven)

  114. Coding Kid

    My favorite robotics and electronics sites: Hackaday, Makezine, Arduino (Forum), and this site, since I just discovered it :)

  116. Danielle

    “DaniellePepinAI” is my username and I’m now following GoRobotics on Twitter.

  118. Danielle

    “DaniellePepinAI” is my username and I’m now following RobotBox on Twitter.

  120. Gary

    My favourite robotic website and this is tough one because there are many I like, is The NXT Step

  121. Christopher

    I am very intrigued .Looking foward to building from this site !

  123. Lee

    Robotshop.com is a great website that is well organized and features many different types of robots for sale from beginner robots like lego mindstorms, to the more advanced robots like Nao humanoid kit. It also features task robots like lawn mowers, pool cleaners and floor vacuumers. Robotshop.com also sells surveillance and security robots. This website offers repair services for certain robots like the roomba. Robotshop.com also sells single board computers, servos, and sensors. If buying in bulk at Robotshop, they offer a discounted price per item.
    two more great websites are trossenrobotics.com and activerobots.com

  133. Matt

    Love your weblog! I read the NXT step mindstorms blog, and frequent solorbotics.net quite a bit…

    Thanks!

  134. Aleator

    I’m following @RobotBox and @GoRobotix on Twitter!
    my username is @Aleator777

  135. Aleator

    My favorite sites for robot related sctuffs are Makezine.com, Hackaday, and Robotshop and of course GoRobotics

  136. Hamza

    vexrobotics.com
    mindsensors.com
    hitechnic.com
    mindstorms.com
    parallax.com
    thenxtstep.com
    nxtasy.org

  147. Julson

    I often look around GoRobotics.com for hobby robot building. Hackaday and makezine are also frequent stopovers.

    Retweeted #4 and following both twitter accounts.

  154. Technophile

    fav. robotics website……………letsmakerobots.com and tech-supplies.co.uk

  155. Flughafen

    Mainly these 3:

    robotshop.com/gorobotics
    botjunkie.com
    and thenxtstep.blogspot.com

  156. Dale

    following GoRobotics, following RobotBox, and tweeted about this contest! My kids and I can’t wait to win these cool project bits!!!

  161. Michel

    I already follow Gorobotics on twitter from the last giveaway.
    User Name: Mchl92

  164. Jeremy Betz

    I am a fan of iheartrobotics.com, hackaday.com, and diydrones.com

  165. Jeremy Betz

    I am now following @RobotBox on Twitter via @bullfroge

  166. Jeremy Betz

    I am now following @GoRobotics on Twitter via @bullfroge

  172. Pe-ads

    I love The NXT Step (thenxtstep.blogspot.com), a great multi-user blog, with NXT tips, news, and anything else NXT related! Unfortunately, I don’t use Twitter, so I can’t enter 3 times :-(

  174. Kevin

    Luv these no-brainer contests! We have enough problems with our bots!
    I’ve ordered from many of these companies (not this one yet, though I’ve got ya bookmarked) and the products and service have been uniformly great.

  176. Angelica

    My favorite sites: robotshop.com/gorobotics, robotshop USA

  180. jare

    My preferred websities are:
    thenxtstep.com
    nxtasy.org
    teamhassenplug
    philohome
    mindsensors.com
    hitechnic.com

  181. Evan

    Here’s a cross-section of my favorite RBTX sites

    Gorobotics.net
    SocietyofRobots.com
    BotJunkie.com
    RobotsPodcast.com
    RoboticsTrends.com
    Robots.net
    PlasticPals.com
    VexRobotics.com
    Parallax.com
    LynxMotion.com
    Sparkfun.com
    Pololu.com
    Roborealm.com
    sharcbots.org
    Hackaday.com

  186. Sonya Moffett

    “March Robot Giveaway to Celebrate GoRobotics’ 10th Birthday”
    Favorite GoRobotics

  187. Gerry Blondeaux

    I enjoy the following websites:
    makezine.com
    solorbotics.com
    gorobotics.com
    hacknmod.com

    Thank you for reading.

  192. JAROS

    I prefer Lego orienated websities:
    nxtasy.org, thenxtstep.com, philohome.com, mindsensors.com

  197. Jordan

    Favorite website is Robotshop since its Canadian and creating jobs in my area!

Leave a Reply

  • (will not be published)