Difference between revisions of "Project:TRTL"

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Turtle Robot T Logo
+
=Turtle Robot T Logo=
  
Project Aim
+
Don't ask me what the T stands for. I've forgoten.
  
 +
==Project Aim==
 
To produce a low cost kit robot that is simple to build, and easy to use/program via software with the aim of introducing and kids and adults alike to building, making, electronics and software. For certain values of building, making, electronics and software.
 
To produce a low cost kit robot that is simple to build, and easy to use/program via software with the aim of introducing and kids and adults alike to building, making, electronics and software. For certain values of building, making, electronics and software.
  
Detailed milestones
+
==Concept and ideas dump==
 +
TRTL is intended as an educational/learning device. It is not a toy to keep. it is only just for christmas.
  
Cost
+
TRTL should be built upon existing open hardawre/software stacks. ones with active/lrage communities attached to them. This will make the tranisition from TRTL to general hacking a simple process. It also adds value to the kit - the purchaser not only gets a TRTL bot and its inherant educational process, but also an 'AVR clone' - the entry point into the land of arduino.
aim for 15 GBP
 
  
Concept and ideas dump
+
Hardware: Nanode
TRTL is intended as an educational/learning device. It is not a toy to keep. it is only just for christmas.
+
Sofware: Wrapper over bitlash/arduino processing environment
TRTL should be built upon existing open hardawre/software stacks. ones with active/lrage communities attached to them.
+
(with possibly a cutdown LOGO language intbetween? implemented as custom bitlash functions)
  
Hardware: Nanode
+
===Project Participants===
Sofware: Wrapper over bitlash/arduino processing environment
+
Amran
with possibly a basic LOGO language intbetween
+
Jonty
 +
Chris (hipster)
  
Why Nanode?
+
===Why Nanode?===
 
We know the designer. We know the hardware. We can customise it and build just the 'AVR' part (ie the arduino compatible bit) for much less than a nanode would cost.
 
We know the designer. We know the hardware. We can customise it and build just the 'AVR' part (ie the arduino compatible bit) for much less than a nanode would cost.
Once the TRTL is built, if the owner wants to progress
+
Once the TRTL is built, if the owner wants to progress further into the hacking arena, he/she are presented with two paths. stick with the arduino clone, or build up the remaining nanode components to get a full blown nanode.
 +
 
 +
===Why Arduino/Bitlash===
 +
Arduino is an easy to use protyping language developed for ATMega32 based microcontrollers. There is massive community support for all things arduino. This choice is in line with the project aims to build on existing community supported platforms.
 +
 
 +
The use of bitlash is up for debate since i cant think of one good reason it should be used over an arduino sketch, but i like the idea of creating custom functions and executing them for movement et al.
 +
 
 +
===Detailed milestones===
  
 +
Cost effective prototype
 +
Working electronics
 +
Finaliased physical design
  
 +
UI design
 +
Functional software for comms to nanode via bluetooth
  
Prototypes
+
Making it go back back, forth and forth.
 +
 
 +
===How much should it cost===
 +
Aim for 15-20 GBP
 +
 
 +
==Prototypes==
  
 
There will be numerous prototype. Initial outline is five.
 
There will be numerous prototype. Initial outline is five.
  
Protoype 1
+
===Protoype 1===
 
Aim - to build a TRTL bot and get a rough cost estimate for this prototype
 
Aim - to build a TRTL bot and get a rough cost estimate for this prototype
 
Only buy items that can also be bought in bulk.
 
Only buy items that can also be bought in bulk.
 
Do not include postage costs fo rmaterials.
 
Do not include postage costs fo rmaterials.
  
 +
Generate interest for the project.
 +
 +
Materials Required
 
0.5 x A4 MDF sheet
 
0.5 x A4 MDF sheet
 
2 x wooden wheel
 
2 x wooden wheel
 
2 x cheap chinese motor
 
2 x cheap chinese motor
1 x nande AVR spec
+
1 x nanode AVR spec
 
1 x bluetooth module for serial communication to AVR via SPI
 
1 x bluetooth module for serial communication to AVR via SPI
 
2 x 3D printed castor
 
2 x 3D printed castor
 
2 x marbles (if using on non hard/laminated surface?)
 
2 x marbles (if using on non hard/laminated surface?)
  
Prototype 2
+
Material Cost (per unit)
 +
A4 MDF sheet
 +
wooden wheel
 +
cheap chinese motor
 +
nanode AVR spec
 +
bluetooth module for serial communication to AVR via SPI
 +
3D printed castor
 +
marbles (if using on non hard/laminated surface?)
 +
 
 +
Cost for prototype
 +
 
 +
 
 +
===Prototype 2===
 
review materials used and initial design. refine prototype to 'RC' state.
 
review materials used and initial design. refine prototype to 'RC' state.
  
Prototype 3
+
===Prototype 3===
 
supply kit to intended user. ask them to build it. debrief/review, modify accordingly
 
supply kit to intended user. ask them to build it. debrief/review, modify accordingly
  
Prototype 4
+
===Prototype 4===
 
????
 
????
  
Prototype 5
+
===Prototype 5===
 
Profit
 
Profit
  
 +
===Source of materials===
 +
a general source/reference for where i bought materials
  
  
 +
wheels
 +
http://www.alwayshobbies.com/Models/Wheeled-Toys/Cart-Wheels/Scale-Wheels-for-Carts-$4-Wagons-80mm.ice
  
 +
http://www.alwayshobbies.com/Models/Wheeled-Toys/Wooden-Wheels/Wood-Turned-Wheels-60mm.ice
  
 +
http://www.alwayshobbies.com/Models/Wheeled-Toys/Moulded-Wheels/105mm-Moulded-Spoke-Wheel.ice
  
  
 
+
=Misc/Scratch/TODO=
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A project to build something similar in ethos to the original Logo Turtle Robot. it will aim to use existing hardware and software stacks to stop us reinventing the wheel and make use of existing communities that support that hardware/software
 
 
 
Nanode - AVR parts only
 
Blutooth modeule - enables wireless (serial) communication.
 
Arduino/Bitlash software environments
 
 
 
Two wheels and two motors built on a bit of wood for a platform with everything on it.
 
 
 
The aim is to be able to supply a kit for 25-35 GBP that kids/parents can buy to teach themselves something, and have a bit of fun. and then, to enable them to carry on with that by letting them loose with the nanode 'stack of goodies' - arduino community, more hardware/electronics. off the shelf stuff.
 
 
 
todo: add interface design pics and rational for 'page flow' in the app
 
 
 
wheels - http://www.alwayshobbies.com/Models/Wheeled-Toys/Cart-Wheels/Scale-Wheels-for-Carts-$4-Wagons-80mm.ice
 
or
 
http://www.alwayshobbies.com/Models/Wheeled-Toys/Wooden-Wheels/Wood-Turned-Wheels-60mm.ice
 
or
 
http://www.alwayshobbies.com/Models/Wheeled-Toys/Moulded-Wheels/105mm-Moulded-Spoke-Wheel.ice
 
 
 
 
possible use of http://arduino.cc/blog/2009/03/09/snap-on-panel-for-arduino-based-instruments/
 
possible use of http://arduino.cc/blog/2009/03/09/snap-on-panel-for-arduino-based-instruments/
  
casters:
+
add interface design pics and rational for 'page flow' in the app
 
 
http://www.pololu.com/catalog/category/45
 
http://www.active-robots.com/motors-wheels/ball-casters
 
http://www.robotshop.com/dagu-ball-caster-16mm-20mm-3.html
 
http://direct.asda.com/JML-Rollapod-Mini-Massager/000324521,default,pd.html
 

Revision as of 20:17, 3 September 2011

Don't ask me what the T stands for. I've forgoten.

Project Aim

To produce a low cost kit robot that is simple to build, and easy to use/program via software with the aim of introducing and kids and adults alike to building, making, electronics and software. For certain values of building, making, electronics and software.

Concept and ideas dump

TRTL is intended as an educational/learning device. It is not a toy to keep. it is only just for christmas.

TRTL should be built upon existing open hardawre/software stacks. ones with active/lrage communities attached to them. This will make the tranisition from TRTL to general hacking a simple process. It also adds value to the kit - the purchaser not only gets a TRTL bot and its inherant educational process, but also an 'AVR clone' - the entry point into the land of arduino.

Hardware: Nanode Sofware: Wrapper over bitlash/arduino processing environment (with possibly a cutdown LOGO language intbetween? implemented as custom bitlash functions)

Project Participants

Amran Jonty Chris (hipster)

Why Nanode?

We know the designer. We know the hardware. We can customise it and build just the 'AVR' part (ie the arduino compatible bit) for much less than a nanode would cost. Once the TRTL is built, if the owner wants to progress further into the hacking arena, he/she are presented with two paths. stick with the arduino clone, or build up the remaining nanode components to get a full blown nanode.

Why Arduino/Bitlash

Arduino is an easy to use protyping language developed for ATMega32 based microcontrollers. There is massive community support for all things arduino. This choice is in line with the project aims to build on existing community supported platforms.

The use of bitlash is up for debate since i cant think of one good reason it should be used over an arduino sketch, but i like the idea of creating custom functions and executing them for movement et al.

Detailed milestones

Cost effective prototype Working electronics Finaliased physical design

UI design Functional software for comms to nanode via bluetooth

Making it go back back, forth and forth.

How much should it cost

Aim for 15-20 GBP

Prototypes

There will be numerous prototype. Initial outline is five.

Protoype 1

Aim - to build a TRTL bot and get a rough cost estimate for this prototype Only buy items that can also be bought in bulk. Do not include postage costs fo rmaterials.

Generate interest for the project.

Materials Required 0.5 x A4 MDF sheet 2 x wooden wheel 2 x cheap chinese motor 1 x nanode AVR spec 1 x bluetooth module for serial communication to AVR via SPI 2 x 3D printed castor 2 x marbles (if using on non hard/laminated surface?)

Material Cost (per unit) A4 MDF sheet wooden wheel cheap chinese motor nanode AVR spec bluetooth module for serial communication to AVR via SPI 3D printed castor marbles (if using on non hard/laminated surface?)

Cost for prototype


Prototype 2

review materials used and initial design. refine prototype to 'RC' state.

Prototype 3

supply kit to intended user. ask them to build it. debrief/review, modify accordingly

Prototype 4

????

Prototype 5

Profit

Source of materials

a general source/reference for where i bought materials


wheels http://www.alwayshobbies.com/Models/Wheeled-Toys/Cart-Wheels/Scale-Wheels-for-Carts-$4-Wagons-80mm.ice

http://www.alwayshobbies.com/Models/Wheeled-Toys/Wooden-Wheels/Wood-Turned-Wheels-60mm.ice

http://www.alwayshobbies.com/Models/Wheeled-Toys/Moulded-Wheels/105mm-Moulded-Spoke-Wheel.ice


Misc/Scratch/TODO

possible use of http://arduino.cc/blog/2009/03/09/snap-on-panel-for-arduino-based-instruments/

add interface design pics and rational for 'page flow' in the app