THE NEW, ACCESSIBLE
ROBOTICS
BUILDING AMAZING PROJECTS WITH
INEXPENSIVE HW AND OPEN-SOURCE SW
DR. RICHARD GRIMMETT
We are at the beginning of the Third
Technology Wave
We are at an amazing point in Robotics
- Inexpensive Embedded Processors (Arduino, Raspberry
Pi, BeagleBone Black
- Large Set of Inexpensive Peripherals
- Large (and growing) set of Open-Source SW
Inexpensive, interesting,
limited only by your
imagination
Arduino
MSP 430
Raspberry Pi
BeagleBone Black
Whey choose a Raspberry Pi/BeagleBone Black?
Linux provides a large set of Open Source SW
- Includes lots of HW drivers
- Includes Additional Functionality for Vision, Speech
Device Control
Small Size
- Easy to put into Robotics Projects
- Power Requirements are reasonable
Inexpensive
- The Price is very Attractive
- Adding addition functionality is also inexpensive
What do you want your robot to do?
Move
- Wheeled/Tracked Vehicles
- Walking Robots Quadrupeds/Bipeds
Find Barriers
Listen
Speak
See
Location
Autonomously!
Fly?
- Quad copter/Airplane
Sail?
Swim?
Movement Wheeled/Tracked Vehicles
DC Motor Controller connects via USB
Provides the power needed for the platforms
Easy-to-program interface
Movement Biped/Quadruped Robots
Servo Motor Controller connects via USB
Provides the power needed for the platforms
Easy-to-program interface
Find Barriers
Sonar/IR Sensor connects via USB/GPIO
Provides the Real-time interface for the sensors
Easy-to-program interface
Listen Respond
to Commands
Sound Card via USB
Provides both Audio Input and Output
Provides Standard Input for Voice Commands
Use PocketSphinx for Voice Processing
Speak
Sound Card via USB
Provides both Audio Input and Output
Provides Standard Output for Sound
Use espeak for Voice Processing
See
USB WebCam
Provides Video Capture Capability
Add a Screen for local Visualization
Use OpenCV for Video Processing
Location
Path Planning
USB GPS
Provides Location via USB/GPIO
Add algorithms to plan routes
Autonomously!
USB Wireless Controller
Provides Access to control wirelessly
Works best with Local Screen
USB WLAN
Provides Access to control wirelessly
SSH/VNC provide interface
XBee
Provides Access to control wirelessly
across long distances
Serial Control
Fly
BeagleBone Black communicating with
Flight Controller
via Servo Controller
Provides Basic Motor Control
Provides Stabilization Control
BeagleBone provides sensor/GPS
interface
Sail
BeagleBone Black controlling an RC Sailboat
Use USB Servo Control
Add Wind Sensor
Add Xbee remote Communication
Add GPS interface
Swim
BeagleBone Black controlling an
ROV
Use USB DC motor Control
for ESC
Add USB Cam
Controlled via LAN Cable
Why You can be Successful
BeagleBone Black/Raspberry Pi is very Forgiving
Lots of OpenSource SW capability
Lots of Help from the Community
These Processors continue to improve
Some Advice
I am a bit reluctant to have my students
use the GPIO
Lots of USB capability
Start with the Basics
Learn how to work through the Issues getting help
Beginners may want to try an Arduino first
Inexpensive, interesting,
limited only by your
imagination