Looking for a robotics education kit

09/20/2015 | E. Pluribus Unum

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I have been wanting to learn a little bit about robotics. I have been looking at the Lego Mindstorms kit, but they are kind of pricy. I can get a Lego NXT 2.0 Intelligent Brick on eBay for $60. Would that be enough to get started and use other components I salvage elsewhere? What are other good education kits?

[1rudeboy]

for later

[Berlin_Freeper]

Today I painted with colored sand.

[fieldmarshaldj]

You might try posting your Lego queries on this website: http://www.bricksetforum.com/discussions/

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Thanks!

[ETL]

Educational Robot/Science Kits: ParadiseRobotics:
http://www.paradiserobotics.com/stemeducational/robotkitsvexowisnapcircuits.htm#.Vf7pHH0YGSo

RobotShop:
http://www.robotshop.com/en/robot-construction-kits.html

ROBOTS - EDUCATIONAL KITS:
http://www.bluebird-electric.net/artificial_intelligence_autonomous_robotics/robots_educational_kits_toys_models.htm

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Thanks!

[Stegall Tx]

I enjoyed the Boe-Bot kit from Parallax. It's about $160 and includes everything necessary to build and program the Boe-Bot. It uses the BASIC Stamp and programs in a BASIC language.

These days, though, they have other alternatives, including the same robot platform built around an Arduino that programs in a C language.

[wally_bert]

Robot Shop looks really interesting and I’ve bookmarked all three.

[ETL]

I know nothing of the subject myself. I just did a Yahoo Search for: “robotics education kit”, and selected 3 websites from the first page of results.

https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?hspart=mozilla&hsimp=yhs-006&ei=utf-8&fr=ytff1-tyc-sc&p=%20robotics%20education%20kit&type=

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I’ve been googling but couldn’t filter everything out. That Arduino looks like exactly what I am looking for. Thanks.

[ETL]

According to the customer reviews on Amazon, it looks like it might be a good. 4-1/2 out of 5 stars on 440 reviews!

I would definitely read some of the reviews. I always do this, whether I’m buying from Amazon or not. The reviews are usually very helpful.

http://www.amazon.com/Arduino-Starter-Official-170-page-Projects/dp/B009UKZV0A

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Looks like you can get a starter kit on ebay for a little more than $30. Thanks again!

[Stegall Tx]

of course, if you're interested in rolling your own, you could use Instructables.com as a jumping-off point. LOTS of home-built robotics projects there.

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

“Robotics” is a fusion of two disciplines: The actuators and motors (almost always stepper motors, not just “turn-on-and-go” motors AND the software programming necessary to drive the stuff; control its travel, stop it and start it.

The post above mine, with the Arduino thingy, is probably the best way to go as far creating and learning to program the microcontrollers required. I have no wonderful suggestions as to how to manage the physical, mechanical part.

[ObozoMustGo2012]

If you want to learn about robotics, then just watch a Carly FioRINO speech.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I think programming a microcontroller like the Arduino is a good place to start. I like the fact that it is open source. Actually, this is exactly what I was looking for. The Mindstorms was just the first thing I stumbled across.

The most highly recommended book is only $8.50, so looks like I can get started for under $40.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Carly learned everything she knows from Cankles.

[kingu]

Just pay attention to what you’re buying; seems like a lot of those eBay ads are a slight bit deceptive as to what they are actually selling, plus most are in China which means a good 4 week delivery time (which I guess is perfect for Christmas, so long as you test it in the mean time.)

Thing is, I think I need this now, as these kits look fascinating, especially with all the wide variety of options...

[DocRock]

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