Affordable Modular ARC Robotics Kit
Is it time for a new ARC compatible Robotics Kit? Most of us came across ARC back in the days of EZ-Robot. These are great robotic kits for schools and summer camps to teach kids robotics. The problem is the cost and availability. ARC now works with ESP32-CAM and PCA9685 controllers. Together these provide a lot of the functions of an EZ-B for around $5. So now using low cost servos like MG90S or other 9g servos you can build a bipod robot that works with ARC for under $50. Using a modular design the pieces could also be used to build other robots like Hexapods, Robotic Dogs, Rovers etc. ARC has all the functions built in to support a new robotics kit all we need to do is design the connectable servo casings, servo horns. body and other components for 3D printing. We could then provide the free 3D printable models and even make kits available for sale. ARC makes it easy to program, build and configure the robot and this would make robotics a low cost barrier of entry for students and still teach all the skills needed to learn basic robotics with all the features that now come with AI integration.
There are a bunch of opensource ESP / PCA based robots available that you can make work with ARC today, but I think a modular design that allows you to build a range of different robots that have pre programmed projects, scripts and build instructions available for ARC would be the best approach.
Anyone interested in working on something like this ?
All thoughtful conversations. I'll add, here in the good ole collapsing USA, education has had very deep financial cuts this past year with this administration. Making it even more challenging for STEAM and STEM to survive. My wife works in higher teacher education and has watched millions of dollars of grants evaporate. This (in the US) means less funding for these kinds of classes. There is definitely room for after school robot classes though.
That said, my market target is a different than Ninks. Mine is based mostly on the DIY builders (adults and older teens) like RC hobbiest who build and fly planes helicopters, cars etc. Think of Mecha Morphix as Inmoov, but for lots of different types of robotic platforms behind an paywall. My interest in an EZB replacement is simple, to lower the cost for entry level. By sourcing everything off the shelf (hardware and software), I don't (at this time) have to build a company around maintaining those items. This allows me more time to support my customer base and worry more about replacing obsolete parts and continuing the designing process for more robots.
I don't think I personally like the idea of Jer creating anything new under the EZ Robot umbrella (like ESP controller), but I do understand your non compete clause. It would be a great project to do under your own company though. It seems like a conflict of interest for Dennis to make 2 competing products under the same roof, with different price points? I don't know? How would he justify to his clients he makes a cheaper alternative? With no real new development at EZ Robot for years, it might make more since for JER to design an new EZB (32 dports?) and then Dennis lowers the cost for the EZB 4/2 AND camera or rebrands it IOMedium..phase out IOTiny?! I understand all this requires alot of investment by EZ Robot and might just not be feasible.. The EZB is tethered to all the EZ Robots and difficult to change anything major ( The form factor fits the robot slots). I'm just throwing out ideas. The DIY guys are fitting the EZB in where they can, or building around it so thats not important.
ARC supports alot of other boards which gives it longevity. With the powerful ESP32s evolving to multiple cores (even with its hurdles), will the EZB and IOTiny be irrelevant and/or price itself out in the near future?! So, I do think it makes since to have stand alone cheap controller expandable and flexible for all kinds of robots with multiple motor support types (FOC etc.) I'd say staying outside the EZ Robot eco system would gain better growth and adoptability. Especially with full support from ARC.
My 2 cents.
@jer
uuhhh say what now? I know I'm almost 60 but what in the heck does that mean...?? xDxDJer wasn't in adult entertainment if that's where your mind went
.... HA
LOL!!!!!! For a sec I was like...gotta keep the kids fed..lol!
lol, somehow I had a feeling I might get a question about that.
I worked for Tucker and Halliburton in their wireline divisions. It was equipment designed for logging open-hole oil wells before they were cased.
Google "wireline" to get an idea of what industry I was in, but for the sake of all that is holy don't Google "open-hole"
@fxrtst (Will) Jokes aside, one of the scenarios you mentioned is a new more affordable version to replace the EZ-Bv4 (version 5 let's call it - technically there was a version 5 but it was never released - you would've loved it), this is a potential win-win scenario. It would drop the price on the EZ-Robot side and the community side. As long as you're Ok with the form factor matching the EZ-Bv4 and having 24 I/O then it's possible. I could then possibly also make a more affordable IoTiny that would be slightly larger, and maybe more I/O as you suggested.
WIN - This would take EZ-Robot to the next level in modern technology and decrease their BOM price
WIN - This would give everyone, schools and DIYers alike, a more affordable robot controller and camera
I have to think about this a little more, and I need more ammo from you guys to bring to Dennis if I were to present this to him. The best path might just be the path right in front of us.
*Edit: This would also require DJ's help, you/we would have to convince him as well.
hi all
talking about making robots cheap . i came across this site . averything on this site is stunning cheap . robotstuf,tools,bearings,3d print stuf you name it its there .
https://www.temu.com/be-nl/10-stuks--micro-servo-motor---9g-servo-kit-voor-rc-helikopter-vliegtuig-auto-boot-robot-arm-hand--servo-deur-vergrendeling-controle-g-601099739388424.html?_oak_mp_inf=EIi0w4On1ogBGhVhNDZvNW5hMDRkajlkdWE5ejJhdXYgn9HMh8Yz&top_gallery_url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.kwcdn.com%2Fproduct%2Ffancy%2F27cecceb-195a-486f-9ab0-f88fd6febd1a.jpg&spec_gallery_id=601099739388424&refer_page_sn=10067&freesia_scene=204&_oak_freesia_scene=204&_oak_rec_ext_1=MTM5OQ&_oak_gallery_order=471387065%2C947508776%2C1584768430%2C1525232452%2C48005247&refer_page_el_sn=200823&add_order=1&parent_order_sn=PO-020-20430981514872604&order_source_channel=9&ab_scene=1&enable_vqr=0&_x_vst_scene=adg&_x_ads_sub_channel=shopping&_x_ns_prz_type=-1&_x_ns_sku_id=17620455406590&_x_ns_gid=601105642175704&_x_ads_channel=google&_x_gmc_account=5584548671&_x_login_type=Google&_x_ns_gg_lnk_type=adr&_x_ads_account=8602105927&_x_ads_set=23301656349&_x_ads_id=187060205417&_x_ads_creative_id=785890191319&_x_ns_source=g&_x_ns_gclid=CjwKCAiA-sXMBhAOEiwAGGw6LPh5lc5bb059ThCd6596_K_6wlGB_aPQ3Ojq04kVMMH-_XIh6NclQBoC-jwQAvD_BwE&_x_ns_placement=&_x_ns_match_type=&_x_ns_ad_position=&_x_ns_product_id=5584548671-nl-17620455406590&_x_ns_target=&_x_ns_devicemodel=&_x_ns_wbraid=CkEKCQiA18DMBhDSARIwAHHsShfmvj6hJeg56Jgba74UeRE1jA-MXkeRXLlLRWchDsi4Gw6pwChstkrMDz0bGgKQhw&_x_ns_gbraid=0AAAAAo4mICHYMby-_h3FXDBJsByQ_aT5s&_x_ns_targetid=pla-361401256797&_x_sessn_id=32rgdx9rpk&refer_page_name=add_items_after_pay&refer_page_id=10067_1771147345680_nmfug5qbvd