Newsgroups: comp.robotics
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From: altenbur@plains.NoDak.edu (Karl Altenburg)
Subject: Re: SIMPLE ROBOT
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Date: Mon, 29 Aug 1994 19:16:01 GMT
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Ian L. Dees (ian.dees@vircomm.com) wrote:
: Hello,
: I need an idea for GOOD & SIMPLE (I MEAN SIMPLE!!!!!) robots to build. 
: thanks.

Here are a couple of kit robots:

Muramator and Photovore available from
Johuco, Ltd.
Box 390
Vernon, CT 06066

These are simple robot control boards that are hardwired but can be
adjusted using potentiometers.  They sell bare PCBs and you can get the
parts from Radio Shack or DigiKey.  The PCBs sell for about $25.00.


Roamr Robot Kit from
The Electronic Gold Mine
PO Box 5408
Scottsdale, AZ  85261
(602) 451-7454

Another simple, hardwired robot kit with all parts necessary to complete
the kit.  It sells for $39.95.


OWI Robot Kits from (among other sources) 
Edmund Scientific.
101 East Gloucester Pike
Barrington, NJ 08007-1380
(609)-573-6260

There are several robots kits in this line of education/toy mobile robots.
Each has some sensors and demonstrates some principal of robot control.
The top-of-the-line model is the Wao II which has two 'feelers' for
bump sensors and can be programmed with an on board key-pad or via a
host computer.  It sells for $89.95.  Most of the other robot kits 
sell for between $35 and $55.  The kits usually only require mechanical
hardware assembly (no soldering required.)



I have built and experimented with each of these robots.  They are ok
sets, but I would recomend them more for the soldering training and
for entertaining your kids than for the robotics.  However, if you're
absolutly new to robotics, its a inexpensive introduction.

If you are looking for something more sophisticated I would suggest that
you look into something like the Mini Board (see the FAQ.)

--
Karl R Altenburg				altenbur@plains.NoDak.edu
North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND  58105

All things are artificial, for nature is the art of God.  SIR THOMAS BROWNE
