Minibots

MiniBots are low-cost training platforms that allow robotics development in Java using advanced capabilities such as machine vision and navigation.

• The computing platforms supported are from ​Raspberry Pi and include:
  • $5 ​RPiZero (no longer recommended)
  • $10 ​RPiZero W
  • $35 ​RPi3 (more powerful)
• A ​PiBotZero I/O board connects the raspberry pi to common robotic sensors and actuators
• A good source for connecting cables is ​here
• Chassis choices include:
  • $12 ​2WD+caster Chassis
  • $18 ​4WD Chassis
  • $50 ​Rover 5 tank chassis (has ​meccanum wheel option!) ​$60 option
  • $55 ​T100
  • $300 ​Peanut

PiBots connect via WiFi to your laptop or smartphone:

• Program a uSD card with the ​PiBot Image using your PC (see below under Setup). The PiBot Image contains the complete Raspbian (linux OS), pre-configured for remote GUI access via VNC, and with all of the ancillary packages and libraries required to make coding for the PiBot easy. A sample application is included.
• Install and boot the uSD card in the Raspberry Pi
• Connect to the WiFi hotspot created by the Pi using your PC or smartphone
• Install the ​RealVNC Viewer on your laptop or phone
• Use the VNC Viewer app to access the Raspberry Pi (linux) desktop

From the desktop you can launch programs which provide GUI controls for driving your robot. You can download new programs from your PC or even develop directly on the Raspberry Pi.

Setup

• ​Hardware Manual
• Hardware Specifications
• ​PiBot Image. Install image on uSD card using ​Win32DiskImager then install uSD card in your RPi.
• Pi Zero/OS Configuration (how the PiBot Image is built)
• Dev Environment Configuration (how to code for the PiBot without using the PiBot Image libraries)
• ​!PiBot Library Repository (source for the libraries and sample code on the PiBot Image)

PiBot Sensors and other Components

• Ultrasonic Range Sensor
• Drive System
• Other Minibot Resources

Coding for the Mini Bot

• MiniRobo API?
• MiniWPI API?