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 ?
Hi @Nomad I had some of the LX-16 but never got them working with ARC. They are similiar to the ones on MeccaNoid I did get those working at the time with ARC but they were not very good. You would still need to address each server with a DXX port so that limit is still 23.
In terms of the servo brackets I use them all the time. Search for robot arm on AliExpress you can pick up a set of brackets and screws really cheap. They don’t come with servos but the ones that do are usually garbage knockoff MG965. I am not sure if these are good for classroom learning robotic though as lots of screws and fidly parts for kids so takes a while to build.
what we really need is something like clicbot the idea was good magnet serial connected components that had a brain (CPU) and you just clicked on magentic modules. They have a lot of patents and the product never took off because it was over $1000 for a basic kit. The batteries were terrible (3S Lipo that was usually flat when it arrived and wouldn’t charge). Good idea with lots of patents so hard to copy but cost was too high for a non major brand consumer stem toy. https://youtu.be/8O9W3DVht-s?si=kCrhsWUtYRp9FcOO
@nink
i was asumming that the servo LX16A was connecteble in ARC cause it was there . the MG995 works well but the range is not acurat 1-5 to 175-180 , also today they work tomorrow you don't know .
i notest the gripper is a great design in the video .
You are right they do work. I just went back to look at my comments I made 7 years ago to find out why I gave them away. I couldn’t mount them. There was no bracket but they did work.
https://synthiam.com/Support/Skills/Servo/LewanSoul-Servo?id=15987&commentPage=12
@nink
so now there are brackets and servo's . Is this a possible way to start back with LX-16A ?
Certainly a good option for keeping wiring simple especially if you just need to daisy chain to previous servo like on the Mecanoid. Clicbot used something like this so no wiring just contact pins when you clicked them together. You would no longer need the PWM controller but I recall they had some type of serial bus board to talk to them so you would need to add that. Also get them out of order you have to reset the servo ID or disable and physically move them.
but yeah good option to cut down wiring.
I'm stealth following this action, lol. @DJ is there a way to follow these threads without having to comment?
Since you guys started talking about all this I've been thinking about designing an all-in-one PCB with the ESP32+PCA9685+Camera+DAC Audio Amplifier+SWPS, it's very intriguing for me to design a new DIY EZ-B, and to have one that was community driven would be awesome!
Here's the challenge (maybe you guys can help):
I do love where all this is headed, as being a robot hardware designer and enthusiast is core to who I am, but there are logistics I have to keep in mind.
Hey Jer! you can follow a thread by liking it. scroll to top and press the thumbs up button -or- by commenting on a thread. so now you're following it by commenting.
I don't think the esp32 is gonna do what the ezbv4 can do because it's limited by one cpu. The ezb v4's having three processors (comm, i/o, camera) is what sets it apart. So I don't think the dac could do what we want - at least not with the camera running at the same time.
i think it makes most sense to stick with one of these:
@DJ Thanks for the heads up that the thumbs up can allow you to follow a thread, I had no idea!
Maybe I could do something like an ESP32-S3 which has a 240MHz dual-core processor to handle the comm, camera. & webserver, and a STM32 chip to cover the i/o (24 servos, inputs, outputs, etc) and the DAC. This would have 3 processors and be very similar to an EZ-Bv4. All I would need to do is modify the v4 main board design to accept an ESP32 Board and breakout to servo pins on the lower board instead of the top (ESP32 board) in this case.
Anyway, I still would need Dennis to be onboard which is the biggest hurdle. He would need a win-win scenario to green light this kind of thing.