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 ?
Totally agree @nomad 158 Canadian (100 euro) is not cheap but I think if reached out to freenove I could buy just the ESP and servo board for $20 to $30 Canadian This is a lot cheaper than the $257 CAD + tax I pay for the EZB and camera today with arguably the same functionality. https://ca.robotshop.com/products/ez-b-v4-wifi-robot-controller-with-camera
@nink
i remember somebody here on synthiam has made the 3D robocat .
found it ( nallycat )
https://synthiam.com/Community/Robots/Big-NallyCat-a-large-version-of-open-cat-17719
@nomad didn’t you make a robocat https://synthiam.com/Community/Robots/robo-cat-angelica-18045
its long time ago . i do found this one .
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4015171#google_vignette
To use their freenove pca you just need to move the i2c pins to 27 and 28
Thanks for the pinouts @DJ it arrives tomorrow I will test it out and circle back.
Freenove Robot Dog Works with ARC (Camera and Servos) Just need to flash with new ESP PCA firmware.
Its a Wrover ESP32 and OV2640 PCA SDA 13 and SCL 14
Not sure how to set the GPIO pins in ARC?
Ultransonic Trigger is GPIO 32
Ultrasonic Echo is GPIO 12
Touch Sensor is GPIO 4
Buzzer is GPIO 2
WS2812 RGB LED is GPIO 0 (Not sure I thought this was flash ESP Pin, worried may Brick)
Any Ideas how to script to talk to these? Not sure how to map them to ports in ARC for the skills.
FYI Robot Dog Controller uses 2 High Drain 18650 flat top batteries. I hit the local Vape shop and picked up 2 Samsung 30Q 18650 flat top batteries (these are not on amazon but are used in Vapes so readily available). If you don't have an 18650 charger you will need one of these as well.
OK looks like this is not an ARC thing but is handled in the ESP Firmware for the device I want to use so I need to add a new camera device and map DXX ports to the physical GPIO ports I want to to use and then select these to config in ARC. This is probably over my head.