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Step 1. Sign up for a free Creator's Account to gain access to the Creator's Tools.

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Step 3. Push the "Create New Project" button on the Creator's Tools. Make a name (you can change it later) for your project. And describe your plans to use as notes to guide the creation of the steps.

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FAQ About Becoming A Creator

Q. Why would I go to all that work, building something, then put it on a website like C What I Can Do? What's the point?

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  2. You Make Money!

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Weekend Project: Get Started With Robots      ...     32304 Views
Author's name: weRbots       

Robots you can build in a weekend.

If you spend a weekend to do so, you can make a ROBOTIC BRAIN, which you then may "transplant" into various vehicles of propulsion. (ie: junk box r/c cars.)

This weekend project is so simple it`s what I would think of as a fundamental tool for robotics. We will create an assembly containing an IR detector subassembly and a motor-driving H-bridge.

Assembly is so simple it`s almost embarrassing.



Author's Assigned Keywords:    picAxe 18m2    How To    Weekend Project Robots

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Motor Driver Board     
If you are not big on schematics, then this diagram should enlighten you. Basically, in both diagrams we are driving two motors (via H-Bridge, so in both directions).

The IR Detector is also shown in the diagram. There are various types, all around the $15US range in price, so not too bad.

Mechanical     
You can mount these little items together in one unit. Here is a small setup. You can see I have put a program/run toggle switch to allow easier programming. The 08M has only 8 pins, thus the toggle switch allowing me to share one pin.

A simple L bracket allows me to hook one of the mounting holes on the PC board to one side of the side-mounting holes in the IR Detector.

In many models, I just add a battery pack, so I get a 4WD RC car (usually without controllers) for two-bucks. I add my little unit to the top. And instantly I`m testing the motors and gears.


After Thoughts     
And there are a great many of `em too!

1st. You need the 08M picAxe chip. SparkFun may put an 08 no M... That means, no interrupt, that means you will have to read the IR detector, move an inch, then read again, and so on, in a loop.

And that is OK, it`s one way to do it and it works, pretty well.

But, if you want to catch the beam anytime it reflects, you need an interrupt to allow you to shut down the motor and make your turning decisions accordingly. Stuff like that.

The 08M is best for making a universal robo-brain to test various junk-box platforms. It`s a useful tool and when you`re finished and ready to make your dream robot, you can incorporate your little picAxe into your design to blink eyelids, flash lights, and things like that.

It`s hard to regret spending less than $30 to be able to drive your cat and spouse crazy with an autonomous robot running around the house.
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No parts list with this project. Scan the 'Junkbox Reviewer' below! Find projects by clicking on their parts. Got something in your junkbox? Here's your spot to find something fun to make or build!

 

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