(NEW!) OPEN-ROBOT, Wireless 802.11b/g WiFi Open-Source Robot
Unassembled Kit Introductory Price $250.00 (Plus $10.00 USPS Priority Shipping within Continental United States)
We are now accepting PRE-ORDERs for the OPEN-ROBOT Kit. My main goal is to provide educators, students and hobbyists with a low-cost, flexible educational learning tool. This is why I am willing to provide a complete listing of part#'s, part descriptions, cost, and where to buy from along with the estimated level of profit for each kit sale. A lot of research time and money went into developing the mechanical/electrical hardware and software for this robot. If you are interested, please feel free to download a PDF document that contains the above listed information. Contact us if you are interested in the OPEN-ROBOT kit or would like to purchase more than one kit.
OPEN-ROBOT kits require soldering and mechanical assembly. Approximate assembly time is 4 hours, but depends heavily upon soldering and mechanical experience. Only unopened kits can be returned for a full refund (excluding shipping).
OPEN-ROBOT Specifications:
Overall dimensions - 4.50" wide x 5.75" long x 3.50" high.
Included With OPEN-ROBOT Kit:
(1)-MatchPort 802.11b/g with Rubber Antenna and cable.
(1)-PIC18F4520 based controller board with integrated H-Bridge chip and low-cost gear-motors and injection-molded ABS wheels.
(2)-Front facing Sharp GP2D120 Infrared range sensors for accurate obstacle detection (upgradeable to five).
(2)-Cadmium sulfide light sensors for detecting ambient light conditions.
Battery voltage monitoring system. Can be used to detect when batteries need replacing or charging.
Programming header for PIC18F4520. Connection point for optional In-Circuit Programmer/Debugger (ICD).
Unique serial-based firmware (upgradeable & modifiable) resides in PIC18F4520. Provides a serial-based command set for controlling OPEN-ROBOT.
Integrated Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system capable of reading and writing Passive RFID tags.
(1)-Passive RFID tag so that you can get started trying out OPEN-ROBOT's RFID capability.
All OPEN-ROBOT documentation, related software, PCB design files, and mechanical design files are provided free of charge. Open-Robot means that we freely provide our software, PCB design files, and mechanical design drawings so that you can modify/redesign your Open-Robot or simply use these components to build a custom robot of your own. In return we do ask that you give us the appropriate credit if you use our designs and/or software. Please scroll down to find all related software, PCB design files and mechanical design files.
Optional Accessories (Must be purchased separately, but not required for a functioning robot):
SRV-1 Blackfin Camera Board can be purchased separately and stacked on top of the MatchPort-802.11b/g PCB. Here is a video from the SRV-1 Camera while Open-Robot drives down a hallway.
Low-Cost WW-02 wheel encoders can be purchased separately and installed. Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) position and velocity control is supported in the PIC18F4520 firmware when WW-02 encoders are installed.
CCS C Compiler for PIC18F4520 can be purchased separately. This compiler will allow you to modify the current firmware or create your own programs for the PIC18F4520. If you are a student or educator be sure to get the educational version since it is significantly discounted.
CCS In-Circuit Programmer/Debugger (ICD) can be purchased separately and used in conjunction with the CCS C Compiler. This will allow you to quickly program the PIC18F4520, but also perform invaluable in-circuit debugging.
Open-Robot is a fully autonomous mobile robot with integrated wireless (802.11b/g) and the ability to read and write passive Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags. Open-Robot utilizes a unique low-cost PIC18F4520-based controller board that was designed and developed here at Abe Howell's Robotics. Wirelessly control your Open-Robot from a desktop or laptop computer using the MatchPort b/g. We have a free and easy to use C# based manual control program that allows you to wirelessly control your Open-Robot from a desktop or laptop computer and without having to write any code. You can write high-level code to control your Open-Robot using Microsoft's® free Visual C# 2005 Express Edition and our easy to use C# class library that encapsulates all of Open-Robot's functionality. This way you can get your robot to do something cool right out of the box. We recommend using (6)-2500mAh NiMH 15-Minute rechargeable AA batteries, which provide Open-Robot with approximately 2-3 hours of run-time.
OPEN-ROBOT Related Documents:
About OPEN-ROBOT (~1.2 MB). This document will introduce you to OPEN-ROBOT and its flexibility across the educational spectrum.
OPEN-ROBOT Assembly Manual (~14 MB). This document will lead you through the soldering and mechanical assembly process.
Getting Started with Open-Robot (~1.8 MB). This document will help you get up and running with your new Open-Robot once it is assembled.
OPEN-ROBOT's A/D Sensors (~112 KB). This document will explain all about OPEN-ROBOT's analog-to-digital sensors: battery voltage measurement, GP2D120 IRs, and light sensors.
User's Manual for OPEN-ROBOT's Controller Board (~1.5 MB). Explains OPEN-ROBOT's PIC18F4520 controller board layout and functionality. Contains detailed explanation of board connections and firmware serial commands.
How to Wirelessly Upload New PIC18F4520 Code (~760 KB). This document explains the process of wirelessly uploading new hex code to the PIC18F4520. This means you can upload newer versions of the PIC18F4520 firmware or create your own programs using the CCS C Compiler and then upload these wirelessly.
Add WW-02 Wheel Encoders (~2.2 MB). This document explains the process of adding WW-02 Wheel Encoders to your OPEN-ROBOT.
OPEN-ROBOT Software (Requires Microsoft® .NET 2.0 or greater):
Open-Robot TCP Manual Control Center Installer (~250 KB). This application provides a graphical user interface for your Open-Robot. This was written using Microsoft's® Visual C# 2005 Express Edition. Download the source code (~1 MB) for the Open-Robot TCP Manual Control Center if you want to see how to use the Open-Robot Functions Class Library.
Open-Robot TCP Functions Class Library (~28 KB). This class was written using Microsoft's® Visual C# 2005 Express Edition. Click here for the Compiled Html Help File for this class library. Download Visual C# Express Edition and you'll be able to create your own Open-Robot control software quickly, easily, and freely! Download the source code (~210 KB) for the Open-Robot TCP Functions Class Library if you want to see how it works or make your own changes.
How to Use OPEN-ROBOT TCP Functions Class Library (~763 KB). This document explains how to use the OPEN_ROBOT_TCP_Class_Library. You can download the corresponding Visual C# Express 2005 Project source code from here (~53 KB).
OPEN-ROBOT Controller Board PIC18F4520 Firmware (~30 KB). This is the source code to the firmware that's pre-programmed into your Open-Robot's PIC18F4520 microcontroller. It's modifiable if you have access to a CCS C Compiler. You may want to use an In-Circuit Programmer/Debugger even though it's not required for uploading new programs or firmware since the PIC18F4520 is pre-loaded with a boot-loader. This means you can upload new firmware versions or your own code across the 802.11b/g wireless connection.
OPEN-ROBOT Mechanical Drawings:
Open-Robot was designed using Alibre Design 9.0. Alibre Design is economical, but yet contains numerous features that are typically found in more expensive 3D CAD software.
Open-Robot Model Alibre Design Model files.
OPEN-ROBOT PCB Files:
All Open-Robot PCBs were designed using the Express PCB Software. The ProtoPro service is an economical way to prototype new board designs.
Open-Robot Controller board ExpressPCB file. Here is the ExpressPCB schematic file and the corresponding PDF.
OPEN-ROBOT PIC18F4520 I/O Allocation.
Open-Robot MatchPort/XBee/SRV-1 board ExpressPCB file. Here is the ExpressPCB schematic file and the corresponding PDF.
Open-Robot Original XBee board (this board is OBSOLETE and only supports the XBee module) ExpressPCB file.
