This site describes an open-source low-cost robot for educational purposes: hardware and software.
The robot is used for teaching mobile robotics, robotic vision within QUT's EGB439 Advanced Robotics unit.
Key features of the robot are:
- low cost, less than AUD 500
- Raspberry Pi 3B computer with a color camera
- an i/o board with embedded processor that interfaces with motors and provides a simple UI (20x4 OLED display, 4xpushbuttons and various other LEDs)
- a MATLAB-based API, MATLAB code running on a host computer communicates over WiFi with a server running on the robot
- ability to run code onboard written in Python or C++
Example of MATLAB API usage:
robot = PiBot('192.168.3.4')
robot.setVelocity(20, -20); % set left & right wheel speeds to +20 and -20 respectively
robot.stop(); % stop the robot moving
batteryVoltage = pb.getVoltage(); % get battery voltage
pb.setLed(2, true); % turn on the green LED
pb.printfOLED('hello world'); % write string to the OLED display
im = pb.getImage(); % get RGB image from the camera
The robot has two independently controllable wheels driven by geared DC brushmotors, and a single castor. The frame is built from laser cut acrylic.