Everyone in the tech industry with a good idea and without money dreaming at the day when they products will reach the markets. An American-based company called Kickstarter is the online pioneer of the crowdfunding model and allows users to raise funds for its own creative projects.
Many powerful electronic projects are ready to raise funds while others are already finished products. In this article, I made an overview of best for electronic projects designed for robotics applications.
MatchboxARM
MatchboxARM
Small development board based on ARM Cortex-M3 microcontroller and with pre-burned bootloader to write code in minutes.
A team of engineers design and build a tiny and powerful development board based on ARM Cortex-M3 microcontroller. This small robotic platform can turn any idea into a physical model with a minimum effort. Any hobbyist or professional user can build a series of robots including here self-balancing or line follower robots.
The hardware packs a 32-bit ARM chip with a working frequency of 72MHz and 64 Kb flash memories. Inside a pre-burned boot loader allows users to write code right away without using any other tool. These facilities allow programmers to develop C or C++ code easily and optimized while the deployment of hardware is done with one click.
MatchboxARM features:
- interface 2 motors based on L298 IC ;
- connector for SWD (debugger), USART, SPI;
- interface analog inputs for reflectance sensor;
- 2 x connectors for MPU-6050 boards;
- 3.3V and 5V voltage regulators;
Microprocessor
The microprocessor is based on Atmega328 single chip micro-controller and is compatible with the Arduino IDE.
With socket for ATMEL Atmega328 and ADC ports for analog inputs, the microprocessor is designed for micro-robotic applications like aerial vehicle. The Kickstarter microprocessor has an affordable price and an increased flexibility enough to be used in a wide range of applications to power robotic parts.
Used by students or hobbyists the microprocessor can be easily assembled and durable enough for a wide range of applications.
Microprocessor features:
- powered from USB or battery pack;
- socket for ATMEL Atmega328 – Arduino IDE compatible;
- 6 ADC ports for analog inputs;
- 1 digital port for digital inputs;
- LED power indicator;
MotorPiTX
Compatible with Raspberry Pi board, MotorPiTX is a powerful electronic board to power motors and servos.
MotorPiTX doing everything it can to drive motor/servo parts interfaced with the Raspberry Pi board. The easy-to-use board is ideal for robotics projects based on Raspberry Pi board from beginners to advanced users. The MotorPiTX board is limited in use since it is compatible with Raspberry Pi, but its features powered different solutions compatible with a wide range of robots that needs to be motorized.
Around the idea of trying to build different DIY robots, building different parts take time and a condensed functional board like MotorPiTX is a powerful device that substantially reduces the entire process of manufacturing.
MotorPiTX features:
- compatible with Raspberry Pi;
- interface and power motors and servos;
- ATX-style power controls with ON/OFF button for Raspberry Pi;
- 2x +5v outputs;
- 2x hobby servo connectors;
- 2x bi-directional DC motor connectors;
Arduino BLE Shield
Arduino BLE Shield allows communication between robots and any device compatible Bluetooth Low Energy.
If you’re wondering how a robot can communicate with a smart device like a smartphone or a tablet is by adding an additional electronic board designed to allow communication. Arduino BLE Shield is an electronic device that allows the connection between the Arduino and the Bluetooth Smart (BLE) sensor of any smartphone, tablet, notebook, etc.
With an Arduino at its core coupled with the Arduino BLE Shield, any robot can communicate with a device that supports Bluetooth Low Energy.