Re: Question: Microcontroller/kit for college project (robot)

On Tue, 28 Aug 2007 10:37:33 -0500, "ChrisLo" <Nexus5k@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

Hello,
I'm brand new to this forum, but it seems to be the best place I could
find to ask my question about a microcontroller and possibly a kit (I hope
I posted in the right place). I'm currently a junior Computer Engineering
major and am very new to the microprocessor world, so please forgive my
noobish questions. =)

What I need is a good microcontroller kit for my dynamics project.
Preferably, a premade kit that is easily programmable via a computer. I
also need to be able to control servos and small electric motors that move
the legs of my robot.

As for my skills, I'm somewhat familiar with java and C++ and last
semester I programmed a CPLD chip to run a miniature stoplight. I am also
familiar with Lego Minsdstorms block style of programming. I tried looking
into buying a Lego Mindstorms kit but it only controls 3 motors (this
project needs to control around 4-8) and it's too heavy for my project.

Project Design:
I'm going to use a microcontroller to build an autonomous robot that
weighs less than 1kg.
The robot will use ~4-8ish small servos/motors that enable the robot to
move around (on a window using suction). In addition, the robot must run
on rechargeable batteries (if that helps).

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Also, please feel free to suggest reading material or websites that have
useful information.

Thank you,
-Chris


Our robotics club uses a controller from IFIRobotics:
http://www.ifirobotics.com/frc-robot-control-system-overview.shtml
that uses an two 18F8722. They're programmed in C using MicroChip's
MPLab IDE:
http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=1406&dDocName=en019469&part=SW007002

Real easy to use drive motor/wheel assemblies, I just got 2, from:
http://www.solutions-cubed.com/solutions%20cubed/EZR2003.htm. They
have some interesting motor controllers, though I connect to an H
bridge motor speed controller and apply a standard R/C PWM input
(1-2mSec pulse every 20 mSec) to the motor speed controller.

Then, of course, there's Parallax, easy to use & good robotics
support, but the BasicStamp is kinda high-school level programming.

Best bet is an 18F8722 with MicroChip's MPLab. Check Parallax for
parts.
http://www.parallax.com/html_pages/robotics/shop/robo_comparison.asp
.

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