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The GEARS-IDS Invention and Design System gives teachers the industrial strength tools they need to create world class engineering and robotics challenges for their students in the comfort and convenience of their own classrooms. The GEARS-IDS Invention and Design System is offered as the world’s first engineering education construction system utilizing industry engineered components. GEARS LLC manufactures Mike’s Invention and Design System and provides teacher support and educational materials mapped to national curriculum frameworks.
From Trebuchets to Autonomous Robots, The GEARS-IDS Invention and Design System lets your students participate in the science and history of technological achievement! Students and teachers who use the GEARS Invention and Design System share in the creative excitement of inventing their own engineering games and designing the modules, mechanisms and machines to play them.
The GEARS-EDS system is a great way to learn about…
How to apply basic math and physics concepts to the solution of a challenging problem.
The process of engineering and designing modules, mechanisms and machines.
How to work as a member of an engineering team and participate in the engineering project lifecycle
How to use 3D solid models to communicate ideas and create and analyze design iterations
The fundamentals of mechanics, electronics and pneumatics
And much more……
Software
Software and programming are at the discretion of the teacher and the students. The basic GEARS system is meant to complement third part electronics including R/C systems, microcontrollers and embedded PCs. If you are looking to have your students program using the GEARS EDS system, select a microcontroller and appropriate motor controllers.
Use the GEARS-IDS Invention and Design System to create Radio Controlled Game Playing Machines (designed and built by students). Students and teachers can create exciting engineering challenges similar to those played at major engineering colleges and on TV! Students and teachers who participate in these 4 activities learn the necessary math, science and principals of engineering they need to create competitive machines.
Use The GEARS-IDS Invention and Design System to create Apparatuses that help teach the Fundamentals of Physics. Students and teachers can create and use project based physics demonstrations that help students learn concepts through personal experiences. Students and teachers who participate in these 4 activities learn the necessary math, science and principals of engineering they need to create competitive machines.
Use The GEARS-IDS? Invention and Design System to build a dynamometer and analyze the performance of a fixed magnet direct current electric motor. DC electric motors are found in many of the products we use daily. Some of these include; CD players, tape players, computer printers and scanners, cell phones and pagers, computer drives and countless other applications.
Curriculum
Gears EDS was designed specifically for the classroom, and as such, the company has a significant amount of educational material to go along with their kits. The Gears curriculum covers Pneumatics, Physics, Geometry, Magnets and more while describing the curriculum objectives. A 6-week comprehensive CAD curriculum resource is also available separately. Gears makes all of its CAD files available by special request.
Furthermore, Gears has developed the “Gears-EDS Program – Engineering Construction and Design”. Using the GEARS-EDS materials and components, students and teachers combine basic physical science principals with creative thought process to construct a remote controlled machine capable of playing a game designed by the students and/or the teacher. The GEARS-EDS Educational System products can be used to create a comprehensive program of study in which students and teachers participate in the engineering design and manufacturing process.
Competitions
There are currently no competitions specifically using Gears EDS, though the company has also created competitions in which their robots can be used:
Pit Boss is an action packed robotic competition played on a 4 x 8’ plywood field. This engineering challenge requires students to design and build robotic mechanisms capable of manipulating and delivering 3 different objects up an incline and into a 10 inch diameter “Scoring Pit”.
This is a game that challenges you to use the GEARS-IDS Invention and Design System kits, and some extra stuff commonly found around the house, to create a competitive machine capable of scoring either the highest, or the lowest score in the game of Hi-Lo BattleBall. It’s a game of engineering smarts and driving skill that will test your mechanical aptitude and manual dexterity.
What to Buy
RobotShop has a category specifically for GEARS EDS kits and products. The Gears IDS package offers versatility and customization.
Gears EDS
Professional development platforms are ideally suited to higher level education and research institutions. Increasingly, educational and research institutions are looking past the hardware to focus solely on robot intelligence. Professional platforms are essentially mobile computers, and have most of the components you would find in a standard PC (including video output, keyboard and mouse connections and more). These features allow you to focus entirely on programming the robot without the constraints of a low-cost microcontroller.
WhiteBox robots are capable of doing everything a PC does, and even have monitor, keyboard and mouse adapters if you want to use them as standard PCs. They house the same plug-and-play hardware as a PC, accept the same peripherals and drive bay options, run the same operating systems that a PC runs – but – they are mobile and autonomous. White Box robots house enough horsepower out-of-the-box to process video, AI applications, advanced algorithms, SLAM applications and more.
CoroBot was created to minimize the complexity of robot development. By combining a powerful PC-class platform with a robust, object-oriented software development system, the CoroBot empowers you to rapidly deploy and develop robotics solutions. The CoroBot also assists the hardware developer with additional physical mounting space, ports, sensors and communication devices.
Nao is the first step of the personal robot revolution. Self-contained, packed full of cognitive skills and high-end motions, Nao is an entirely programmable 60cm high robot. The 25 degree of freedom NAO includes a complete CPU loaded with Linux, WiFi, voice recognition and synthsis, emotions and more. Unlike most other humanoids, the NAO has functional hands.
Software
Unlike non-professional robots, the White Box and CoroWare robots use standard operating systems such as Windows XP and Linux, allowing them to do everything your PC does and more. To get you started, most platforms come with a standard O/S setup with custom software application(s). Certain professional platforms like the White Box 914 PC-BOT (no CPU) allow you to add your own mini-itx motherboard and electronics.
Professional Development platforms allow you to install or develop your own software applications. Certain CoroWare models use Microsoft Robotics Studio, which allows you run multiple services simultaneously. Examples using the CoroWare robot have been included with Microsoft Robotics Development Studio and allow you to program and test the robot in a 3D virtual environment.
White Box
914 Extreme PC-BOT Windows .NET version
There are five PC-BOT components for Visual Studio 2005. Drive, Messages, Sensors, M3, and ToolBar. A Visual Studio Developer can drag and drop these components in to any Windows forms project. The developer may write their code in any of the .NET supported languages (Visual Basic, C#, J#, C++).
914 PC-BOT Linux Player/Stage
Player is a network server for robot control. Installed on your robot, Player provides an elegant and simple interface to the robot’s sensors and actuators over IP networks. The Player server software provides an abstract interface to multiple robotic devices, including mobile robot bases, sensors, etc as well as your 914 PC-BOT.
3rd Party Applications
There are also additional applications that can be found on the PC-BOT community site such as B.R.A.I.N. (Beginners Robot Application Interface & Network).
Coroware
Microsoft Robotics Developers’ Studio (MRDS)
CoroWare were involved with MRDS development from its early inception and are located right across the street from the Microsoft facilities in Redmond, WA providing direct access to the MSRS team. The Microsoft Robotics Studio team is in fact using CoroBot as a tool in assisting its development program. Test the Corobot FREE with Microsoft Robotics Developers’ Studio
CoroWare Classpack
CoroWare ClassPack for Microsoft Robotics Studio is a simulation software package for the CoroBot development platform. The simulation CoroBot is physics based and supports the features of the real CoroBot model CB-WA. It has nearly identical functionality to the real CoroBot. ClassPack allows educators to put a virtual robot in the hands of every student while maintaining their department’s budget.
Aldebaran
Choregraphe
The Aldebran NAO is supplied with Embedded Linux (32bit x86 ELF). Choregraph Wholly designed and developed by Aldebaran Robotics, Choregraphe is the programming software that lets Nao users create and edit movements and interactive behaviours with complete simplicity. The intuitive graphic interface, the library of behaviours delivered as a standard feature and the advanced programming functions satisfy the needs of novices and experts. Everyone can compose their own behaviours by a simple drag/copy from the library or else create their own boxes and save them in their personal library.
Project Ideas
These platforms are ideal for higher level applications including image processing, autonomous navigation, interacting with the local environment and more. As with standard PCs, these computers can be accessed and controlled remotely via the internet (WiFi), and most professional platforms come with a webcam already installed.
Networked Mobile Sensor Platform
The PC-BOT is already a networked mobile sensor platform as part of its navigational array. You can integrate additional multiple sensors including RFID readers, hazmat detectors, access management devices and environmental sensors.
Remote Telepresence
With the widespread deployment of 3G networks, broadband and wireless connectivity, it is now feasible to establish remote control of the PC-BOT via a wireless device or a second PC over a public telecommunications network. This enables customer control over on-robot integrated cameras, microphones, audio channels as well as autonomous patrolling of premises to detect intrusions, fire, water leaks and so on.
Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio Platform
MRDS developers have worked closely with Coroware and there is a significant amount of material available for developing MRDS applications using the CoroBot robots. You can already program a virtual version of the Coroware robot to navigate and interact with a 3D virtual environment within MRDS.
Additionally, professional development platforms can be used to develop solutions for a wide range of applications including:
Interactive teaching for children
In-home security and remote telepresence
Digital Home hub/server or control station
Eldercare and elder companionship applications
Assistive support services
Entertainment and gaming
RFID asset management, supply chain management and inventory management
On-robot sensor integration – on-robot sensor array design and test
Security & safety monitoring
Alternate battery and power-supply research
Pathfinder application development and test
Curriculum
EDUCATORS
Educators can implement an affordable and flexible method for teaching robotics by purchasing the Coroware ClassPack licenses for all the students in the class and several actual CoroBots for the lab. Instead of forcing students to share time on only a few Coro-Bots, ClassPack enables each student to participate and learn as if each had their own robot. ClassPack eliminates the constraints of a lab environment.
With the White Box PC-BOT, teachers can use the same platform for introductory robotics courses right through to advanced robotics research. The White Box PC-BOT open architecture provides a common baseline for review and comparison, code-sharing and enables international peer groups to use a common lexicon. Development in either Windows or Linux is equally possible. The PC-BOT can make significant contributions to research through applied autonomy and collaboration as well as research into human-robot interaction.
STUDENTS
Students have the flexibility and freedom to learn at their pace and schedule without the constraints of sharing a CoroBot or learning only when the lab is available. By using the ClassPack simulator, the students can write code for the CoroBot that will run both in simulation and on a real robot. Projects and experiments can be completed outside of the class and lab setting. Using ClassPack, students can create objects and environments to test their theories.
With tight budgets, an educator will immediately appreciate the White Box 914′s relatively low price and high reliability. Instead of buying a single expensive platform you can now purchase several robots per class resulting in less time-sharing. The PC-BOT is also an ideal baseline platform for a new category of robot competitions.
RESEARCHERS
Researchers can affordably create and test the Coroware Robots in the Microsoft Robotics simulation environment. Completing research in the simulation environment enables researchers to lower project costs without effecting the long-term results.
It is now easier than ever to build exciting new robots leveraging the well known and documented “white box” architecture. Thousands of inexpensive, off-the-shelf parts can be integrated using industry standard interfaces (USB, Serial, Firewire) and modular, readily accessible 5 ¼” bays. By adding mobility to the PC, the 914 opens a whole new world of possibilities to a global community of robotics and PC enthusiasts.
Competitions
Professional development platforms are used mainly in competitions where programming (“intelligence”) differentiates the competitors and determines the winners. Take a look at a complete list of robot competitions.
Arduino is an open-source electronics prototyping platform based on flexible, easy-to-use hardware and software. It’s intended for artists, designers, hobbyists, and anyone interested in creating interactive objects or environments.
Arduino can sense the environment by receiving input from a variety of sensors and can affect its surroundings by controlling lights, motors, and other actuators. The microcontroller on the board is programmed using the Arduino programming language (based on Wiring) and the Arduino development environment (based on Processing). Arduino projects can be stand-alone or they can communicate with software on running on a computer (e.g. Flash, Processing, MaxMSP).
There are many different Arduino variations on the market, from small boards like the Arduino mini to large boards like the Arduino MEGA. All have certain features in common:
Digital input/output pins (some double as PWM pins)
Analog input/output pins
Serial communication pins
In-system programming pins (ISP)
Compatibility with Arduino software
more…
Shields
Several boards are also “shield” compatible. “Shields” are electronic boards which can be mounted directly on top of certain Arduino boards (and connect to the Arduino pins via pin headers) and are intended to extend the functionality of Arduino to control different devices, acquire data, etc. The location of the headers on Arduino boards is very specific, so only shields can be easily stacked. The Arduino Uno in the image below clearly shows the headers. The XBee shield shown only uses some of the pins, though the placement on the board corresponds to the placement of the pins on the Arduino.
There are many different shields available on the market, and new ones are released on a regular basis from third party manufacturers. These shields can be used for a wide range of applications and their main “raison d’etre” is to facilitate design, assembly and integration and reduce the time required to create a functional project and/or prototype. Below are just a few such shields:
Ethernet Shield
The Ethernet shield allows you to connect the Arduino to the internet and includes a microSD card slot, multiple status LEDsand stacking headers, so you can add even more shields. RoHS compliant and comes assembled.
Adafruit GPS Logger Shield
Connect a GPS module to your Arduino! Track and log GPS and other data to an SD card or help your robot navigate the world. Soldering and assembly is required, and the GPS module itself is sold separately.
Adafruit Motor Shield
Drive two DC motors at up to 0.6A each as well as 2 servo motors with a dedicated timer, or drives up to two low power stepper motor. Soldering and assembly is required. Stacking headers are not included.
Color LCD Shield
Connect the Nokia 6100LCD to your Arduino using this shield display anything you want on its 128 x 128 pixel color LCD. Stacking headers are not needed since it should be the last shield in the stack. RoHS compliant and comes assembled.
Arduino XBee Shield
Transmit data up to 100m (~300′) away at up to 115.2Kbps transfer rate (operating on 2.4Ghz frequency) using the Xbee Series 2 wireless module (included). Be aware that the Xbee module is not compatible with Series 1, and you will need a second XBee series 2 module to send/receive data. The shield comes assembled and ready to use.
DFRobot Joystick Input Shield
Use the onboard dual axis mini joystick and two colored push buttons to control your robot. At the rear of the board there is mounting for DFrobot Bluetooth or RF Modules. Comes assembled.
Software
Arduino boards are made to be directly compatible with the software which bears the same name. Arduino (software) is also open-source, making it easy to write code and upload it to the i/o board. The software runs on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. The environment is written in Java and based on Processing, avr-gcc, and other open source software.
You can download the latest version of the Arduino software for free at any time. Previous versions are also made available. The first screen you will see when you load the software is the following:
The software is text based (as opposed to graphical) and was designed to give easy access to all the features of Atmel chips, as well as including pre-written functions and routines. Just as with many other programming languages, reserved words are recognized and change color, and there is a “verify” button which allows you to compile the code (to see if there is anything wrong or missing) before uploading it to the microcontroller. There are many pre-written code examples which come included in the software and range from blinking an LED to working with IMUs, and the user community has created and shared even more.
Project Ideas
RobotShop Rover Mobile Rover
There are many possible ways to build a mobile Rover using Arduino. The RobotShop Rover is a programmable mobile platform which features a normal Arduino USB board, a dual motor controller, tank tracks, a pan and tilt and much more.
Arduino Tutorials Tutorials
There are many tutorials presented on the Arduino website which start off simple (essential code) and become more and more complex and comprehensive (creating a server, displaying interactive images on an LCD and more).
Online Search
Many people have put their success stories online to share with others. They often include their setup, parts list and an idea of how to go about reproducing their project.
Curriculum
There are many books, articles and online tutorials explaining how best to learn / program / create using / hack / teach Arduino.
Getting Started with Arduino
Detailed introduction to the open-source electronics prototyping platform
Learn about interaction design and physical computing
Contains lots of ideas and helps you get going on them
Author: Massimo Banzi
Arduino Learning Arduino – Learning
Contains a Style Guide to help you with writing examples and is intended for beginners.
Arduino 5 Minute Tutorials
RobotShop has created simple tutorials which take about 5 miutes each to help you get started using common parts, useful for most projects.
Robotics Magazines
Robotics magazines hold a ton of information and you do not necessarily need the most current issue to find useful and reletant content and project ideas. Popular magazines include SERVO, Nuts & Volts, ROBOT, MAKE and more
Competitions
Although there are currently no major competitions specifically around Arduino (or specifically requiring the use of an Arduino), Arduino is often used as the main processing unit inside many robots. The website Instructables occasionally holds open contests where many of the contestants use Arduino.
What to Buy
There are several categories on the RobotShop website based on Arduino and related products:
Arduino and Compatible Microcontrollers
This category contains all Arduino-based microcontrollers and variations from individual ATmega chips to large boards like the Arduino MEGA. When choosing a board consider the specifications and features (some may need an external USB to serial converter for programming). Keep in mind that all controllers here are compatible with the Arduino software.
Arduino Shields
This category contains most production shields available on the market. Instead of creating external circuits, shields have all the necessary component needed for a specific function and stack on top of many Arduino microcontrollers. Shields can range from motor controllers to LCD displays, GPS units, relays and more.
Arduino Kits
This category contains starter kits intended to get you playing with Arduino immediately, and saves you the time of checking for compatibility with third party products. Kits can include sensors, actuators, USB cable, prototyping boards and more. Other kits can be more specific, allowing you to build, for example, a mobile robot.
Arduino Accessories
This category contains all products which are useful accessories to Arduino products and include USB cables, power adapters, interfaces, a number of cables and more. Note that Arduino is compatible with almost all robotic products on the market, so this category only contains a short list of the most popular accessories which are not application specific.
DFRobotShop Rover Kits
The DFRobotShop Rover incorporates a full Arduino USB microcontroller into the top PCB, which also serves as the top of the frame. Also incorporated into the PCB is a dual motor controller, voltage regulator, shield-compatible pin headers and more! The DFRobotShop Rover platform is one of the lowest priced programmable mobile platforms based on Arduino available on the market today.
Think of the Lynxmotion series of servo brackets as a variety of different modular parts for servos that essentially allows you to build your own custom robot. Lynxmotion is known best for its modular metal brackets that are used to make the frames of a variety of different robots.
These components are extremely versatile, making virtually any mechanical arrangement possible. The brackets are available in black anodized or brushed finish and easily connect to several standard servo motors (note that not all servos will fit the brackets). The ball bearings that come with specific components provide for precise low friction movement. The tubing, hubs and hub connectors are precision fit and really expand what is possible to build. They are made in the USA from high quality aluminum alloy. Lynxmotion also haa a series of laser cut Lexan chassis, torso, and electronics carriers that truly complete the set.
Lynxmotion has developed their own electronics, but also uses other off the shelf components to make the robots work. Unlike many custom kits where the user must purchase parts only from that manufacturer, Lynxmotion electronics such as the popular SSC-32 servo controller can be interfaced with almost any other electronics components such as microcontrollers, motor controllers and sensors.
GoRobotics Blog Change
LynxTerm is a free downloadable utility. LynxTerm makes it easy to quickly test all functionality of the SSC-32 Servo Controller.
RIOS (Robotic arm Interactive Operating System) is a Windows 95/98SE/2000/XP/Vista program for controlling the L5 and L6 Robotic Arms with the SSC-32. With RIOS, your robot can be taught sequences of motion via the mouse or joystick. This extremely powerful program uses external inputs to affect the robot’s motion for closed loop projects. External outputs can also be controlled. 3D image capture is possible with a GP2D12.
PowerPod is a free downloadable utility. PowerPod makes it easy to quickly create custom Basic Atom programs for your H3/H3-R robot. The control options are: autonomous, PS2 remote control, and TTL serial control from a PC, PDA, or any other microcontroller. Many other control parameters can easily be modified with this utility.
Lynxmotion Visual Sequencer is a Windows 95/98SE/2000/XP/Vista program for controlling anything you build using up to 32 servos using the SSC-32. The main screen allows you to add servo control boxes, and position them on a grid. This visual representation of the robot makes it easier to position the servos for each sequence. Lots of other features. The program will even generate Basic Atom and Basic Stamp 2 code as well.
Project Ideas
If you can read a pictorial schematic and follow step by step instructions, you shouldn’t have trouble. High school students do well with Lynxmotion kits.
These are just some of the many sample Lynxmotion projects. Lynxmotion provides several dozen examples of custom robots on their website for items ranging from robot legs and balancing two wheeled vehicles to hands and humanoids.
How do you make it?
The basic components behind this custom robotic arm are the Lynxmotion MAB-01 Metal Arm Base (RB-Lyn-140), the Mini Gripper, the SSC-32 controller, and a variety of servo brackets and tube connectors. Additional degrees of freedom can be added easily but be sure to use the robot arm torque calculator to ensure the servos can provide enough power.
How do you program it?
The Lynxmotion RIOS SSC-32 software is the best choice for programming a multi degree of freedom robotic arm. Advantages to making a custom robotic arm include choosing your own servos, link lengths and gripper.
How do you make it?
The Lynxmotion hexapod is made up primarily of a laser-cut hexapod base coupled to an aluminum chassis. Main components include Lynxmotion C-channels, tubing and tubing connectors, as well as 6 leg kits. The SSC-32 provides more than enough connections, so you need not worry about modifying the design by adding additional servos.
How do you program it?
There are two programs that can be used to control 18 degrees of freedom: Lynxmotion PowerPOD, and the Lynxmotion Visual Sequencer for SSC-32.
How do you make it?
This humanoid has the look, feel and walk of a sumo wrestler. A humanoid is one of the more complex robots to create because of their dynamic stability. Lynxmotion provides assembly instructions on how to make a variety of humanoid models using the Erector Set. Instead of aesthetic hands, Lynxmotion provides a choice of two functional grippers.
How do you program it?
The Lynxmotion Visual Sequencer for SSC-32 is the best software choice for bringing this humanoid to life. Combined with the SSC-32 servo controller, building and programming a complex humanoid with the Lynxmotion Erector set is fun and easy.
Curriculum
There are many user-submitted projects available on the Lynxmotion website including some programs and assembly guides. Lynxmotion also provides a sample project for high school students using their L5 and L6 arms.
Competitions
The Lynxmotion Erector Set can be used create many competition-ready robots. View a complete list of robot competitions.
What to Buy
In order to determine what to order, you need to have an idea what it is you wish to build. For example, you may want to build a multi degree of freedom robotic arm that looks something like the image below:
Before purchasing parts, it is best to make a list of all the components you will need to make your robot. Below is an example as to how you might go about making the custom robotic arm shown above. The arm can be split up into the following components:
1x RB-Lyn-48: Lynxmotion Mini-Grip with servos – Two servos included
2x RB-Lyn-81: Lynxmotion Multi-bracket – Two per pack
2x RB-Lyn-82: Lynxmotion large C-Channel – Two per pack
To power the arm, you would need a 6V power supply or battery (capable of supplying 4A+) to power the servo motors, as well as a separate 9-12V power supply for the SSC-32 controller (a 9V battery is recommended). You can use black electrical tape or tie wraps to neatly arrange the cables (making sure they can still follow the full range of motion).
Note that just because the image shows large C-channels, you are not restricted to these components. Instead, you might have used the Lynxmotion offset servo brackets (RB-Lyn-103) to give it a different look and ability. Another option would be to use two servos at the base instead of one, to give it more lifting capability. This would be done using the Lynxmotion Dual Servo Bracket (RB-Lyn-182). This procedure can help you make legs and arms, chassis and more.
You will find most of the erector set in this category. These parts connect to each other and to servos. These parts are ideally suited to making joints of all types joints
Tubing and connectors can be used a variety of ways, and are perfect for making the skeleton of your robot (including one idea of using them to make fingers on a multi-degree of freedom robot hand).
Many Lynxmotion parts come with applicable hardware (nuts, bolts, screws), though these parts can be purchased separately as well. One part that is indispensable is the plastic rivet which allows you to easily connect the servos to the servo brackets.
Not all servos are the same size, so not all will work with the erector set. The two most popular servos are the Hitec “standard” HS-422 and the Hitec 645MG (metal gears and highest torque for its size).
IN novative EX periment Co. Ltd.” is an educational robotics manufacturer with its headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand. INEX reaches many countries all over the world in different countries and states. INEX focuses on the following areas of robotics business in:
Research & Development
Manufacturing
Engineering & Technical Support
Local and International Sales & Support
International Exports
OEM Products
INEX strives to excel in both development and to provide unique and innovative educational robotic products and curriculum for users of all ages and academic levels. In educational robotics, INEX has developed a product line of desktop based educational microcontroller boards as well as mobile robotic kits to teach students different aspects of electronics and robotics. INEX products are easy to understand and use with full product documentation and software to support. Customers can also learn how to upgrade, modify and improve INEX products.
INEX mechanical components include custom plastic and metal components, as well as common nuts and screws. The bases and custom components are designed to allow flexibility in design.
INEX electrical components all connect to the main controller which functions are the “brain” of the robot. Each kit comes with a selection of sensors, though a variety of additional sensors are available and easy to incorporate into your designs.
Software
LOGO Blocks
Programming Robo-BOX 3.0 is very easy. Beginners can start with the graphical based iconic software called LOGO BLOCKS or use Text based programming in Cricket Logo. Cricket LOGO is a simplified programming interface that eliminates many of the nuances of higher level programming languages.
Interactive C
Interactive C was written by Randy Sargent of the KISS Institute for Practical Robotics. Randy was assisted by Mark Sherman. Portions of the code and the libraries are based on the public distribution of Interactive C 2.8 written by Randy Sargent, Anne Wright and Fred Martin. INEX provides a step by step guide as to how to program in interactive C
WinAVR
WinAVR is a set of tools for the C compiler, these tools include avrgcc (the command line compiler), avr-libc (the compiler library that is essential for avrgcc), avr-as (the assembler), avrdude (the programming interface), avarice (JTAG ICE interface), avr-gdb (the de-bugger), programmers notepad (editor) and a few others. These tools are all compiled for Microsoft Windows and put together with a nice installer program and are free to download . You will also need to download AVR Studio.
Project Ideas
INEX has included all the material relevant to creating each robot in their respective user manuals. Each manual details how to install the software, build the robot, program it and debug it. Assembly is done with pictures and sample code is always available to get you started. Your students will quickly learn how to use the modular parts and can set about building their first autonomous robots:
Interactive C Robot: What can it do?
The Inex Interactive C Robot Kit V2.0 includes the AX-11, a 68HC11 based microcontroller board, an assortment of great sensors, 2 DC gearboxes and mechanical parts for building and modifying 8 sample robot projects.
The Inex Interactive C Robot Kit is programmed in C. The Interactive C environment consists of a compiler (with interactive command-line compilation and debugging) and a run-time machine language module. It has many functions and libraries to directly support robot programming.
MicroCamp Robot: What can it do?
The Inex Microcamp-MEGA8 V2.0 Robot Kit is a microcontroller activity kit for learning about microcontroller and how to interface with external components in real word applications.
MicroCamp is programmed via WinAVR and AVR Studio. These programs allow you to program, compile, debug and upload your program to the robot. The program is based in C so if you are already familiar with programming, you can jump right in.
Robo-BOX Robot: What can it do?
This kit is suitable for everyone who wants to learn robotics. The Inex ROBOBOX 3.0 Standard Kit includes a compact-size programmable microcontroller board and includes instructions on how to build six different robots.
Beginners can start with the graphical based iconic software called LOGO BLOCKS or use Text based programming in Cricket Logo.
Curriculum
There is no curriculum material available at this time.
Competitions
There are no competitions at this time.
Take a look at all Robot Competitions.
What to Buy
RobotShop has a category specifically for INEX kits and products. The INEX POP-Bot is the ideal starting point for beginners. The INEX MicroCamp robot is ideally suited for intermediate level and the Interactive C Robot is best suited to those with some programming background. Looking to add functionality to your robot? There are many additional sensors and parts available.
Gears EDS
