Welcome to the Ramboo wiki! This page stores necessary information for who want to build their own Raspberry Pi robots. This idea has been rooted in my mind since I knew what is Raspberry Pi (RPi) and how cool it is. As a very brief summary, RPi is an integrated circuit board that bring a mini-computer on it. RPi is equipped with 700 Mhz processor, a GPU (Graphical Processing Unit) dedicated to video decoding, several USB ports, a Ethernet port, an HDMI port for high definition display, an audio output, and finally powered by a mini-USB port that takes 5V power source. The RPi has a plugable micro-SD (or SD) memory card and a remarkable 512 Mb of RAM. The very good point of this small computer is that it is indeed inexpensive. Anybody can afford it with around $23. RPi is really a indispensable component of numerous DIY projects.
So what? RPI opens up to me a chance for me to make a robot myself. Before knowing RPi, I also knew that Arduino, a micro-processing board, is very popular in electronic community; it is too very fond of in robotics projects. However, from my point of view, Arduino may not help me to build intelligent robots, i.e. a robot that automatically recognize its surrounding visual environment and navigate itself from obstacles, or a robot that understands what people say and talks back. Such a fancy robot is complex and I know it. After quite a time, I think RPi may be the best platform on which artificial intelligent algorithms can be laid.
Before mentioning any function of the expected robot, I must first assembly one and make it runs on the floor. I put budget on my first priority so that I have to find places that sell inexpensive components. In fact there are lots of online-shopping sites that sell good quality robot parts but their prices are not the best. My experience shows that if you need any part or device, first consult yourself on some well known websites such as adafruit, sparkfun, and then find retailers that sell the device with cheaper prices. But before buying anything, make sure that you know or you can find some instructions on how to make it work. This is important for you not to waste money on components that are not compatible with your robot.
However, for newbies like me, assembling a robot from scratch is not trivial thus requires pretty much time studying it. I have learned that RPi alone is not likely to control directly the motors but via some drivers. Finding a electric circuit design of such a driver card is not difficult indeed as many guys share it one instructable-like pages (see here). Since I am just interested in programming the robot, I omit this electronic-part, so I do not have to solder chips by myself (this also saves me some money to buy stuffs for a single-use). Eventually I decided to buy a complete robot chassis from a reliable retailer. I means the seller should provide in details necessary firmwares and softwares and assembly instructions. Besides robotics stores such as Dawn Robotics, 4tronix, Adafruit, there are several education-purposed robotics such as PiBot. Finally, I purchased the robot kit 2WD Dagu (a.k.a Magician chassis DG007) from Dawn Robotics and I do not regret for this decision. Other components (power bank, Pi camera, cables, jumpers, speaker, microphone, etc.) are selected out of cheap outlets in Amazon and Ebay. These two sites usually offer the best prices.
What does the kit provide? Well, you can see it here. Basically, the kits contains a robot chassis fully equipped with two wheels, a ball caster, two motors, spacers, screws, and a battery holder. The kit is also contains a pan-tilt arm for the Pi camera (which is not included); this arm consists of two servors and supporters and screws too). The every important part is the mini-driver, the one used to control motors and communicate forth and backward with your RPi via the USB port. According to my survey, Dawn Robotics has designed this a very good driver. You can also find similar stuffs on Adafruit but more expensive! (remember my first priority is budget).
The kit of course is lack of other components to be a complete robot (of course you have to buy the Raspberry Pi yourself). The robot inside imagination is something similar to the Wall-E, so that I love to add a more accessories. This is my “add-on” list (yet finished I guess):
- Raspberry Pi model B+ (buy at Amazon). I like this model because it has four USB ports which are very good to add more peripheral devices. Two ports are not enough. The number of GPIO pins are doubled too. This is good to anyone who wants to connect many sensors and low-level devices to the Pi.
- Pi Camera (buy at Amazon with good price). The camera has a HD resolution, shipped altogether with a 15cm flexible flat cable which is plugged to a decidated DSI port on the Raspberry Pi card. I desparately recommend buying this camera instead of using a webcam simply because the Picam is much more faster and better quality than a normal webcam. You may want to buy a longer cable, for instance 30cm or even more, if you could not keep the RPi nearby to the camera.
- Dongle Wifi adapter (they are very cheap and you can afford one with less than 10 euros). The wifi adapter is a must for your robot; this is the unique way to communicate with your robot when it goes around. Only choose the adapter listed from the following compatibility list.
- Power bank with two outputs 5V 1A and 5V 2.1A. This is a good alternative to battery because it offers a longer duration and more stable power source. Both the RPi and the mini-driver (motors draws power from here) need powers. The voltage should be 5V and should not exceed 9V (or you will fry the circuits). The ampere varies from 1A to 2.1A and can be altered between the RPi and the mini-driver. The robot may suffer lack of voltage and shutdown but it’s normal. Try to charge well your power bank. A good power bank is the cornerstone for your robot. Invest wisely to it and you will be not regret. I bought a 9000mAh TeckNet from Amazon.
- Sound adapter using USB port + mini microphone + mini speaker. Purchase these if you want your robot to listen and speak to you (complex softwares come later). Notice these components will draw more power from the power bank. You can buy them on Ebay with just few bucks.
- RPi display panel. I want to display outputs of RPi using a mini-screen attached on the robot for instance. In this case I have to buy one that is connected to RPi via GPIO pins or the dedicated display port. There are many screen models with touchability. Have look at them on Adafruit. And believe me they are not cheap at all (around $30). For me I do not need touch so that I bought a decent TFT 240×320 model ILI9341 display panel on Amazon with a crazy cheap price 6 euros! Tell me if you can find such a good deal.
- Other electronic accessories: breadboards, wire jumpers male-male, female-male, etc.
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