This page is about the development process for Rob, and is for keeping updated information to be shared amongst the Robject members.

Heres a part list. If you see one of these in your travels, grab it or update this with where/$$ so we can start collecting. I'm supplementing any urls I can find so far, but these aren't set in stone.

Part List

Processor/Board/Brains

1 PICAXE-28X1 Starter Pack (Code AXE001u) This contains the main processor, the Picaxe-28X1, a board, cables, and the driver CD. We probably need all these components. The following page mentions distributors. http://letsmakerobots.com/node/213

Investating the Canadian one seems like a good plan. So this kit specifically contains: A 3.5mm audio cable converter into USB ($24.14), a 2$ AAA battery box, a development board ($22), and the actual microprocessor chip itself ($10). This is a $54 package individually priced at $58. The least needed piece here seems to be the USB cable. Theres a $16.50 USB to 3.5mm converter, which is basically the same thing but needs drivers and your own supplication of the two different cables (I probably have these), or we might be able to use the 3.5mm jack straight, which would be cheapest.

Ordering directly from the UK manufactorer nets us quite the savings ($41), but at an added cost of $18 shipping, putting the price with shipping up to $59. Course, the Canadian one also needs shipping money, probably ~$8, but overall the UK one looks cheaper if we order in one large batch.  

CABLZ

Female to Female jumper cables are Suggested, they mention these: http://www.curiousinventor.com/store/product/197

Motor Driver

1 L293D Motor Driver (Code ICO030) Does some thingies that allow the motors (wheels) to go backwards, among other things

Direct from UK manufactorer: $4.50, but shipping is massive (thats okay if its all one large order)

Servo

1 PICAXE Servo Upgrade Pack (Code AXE030) Servo is for aiming the laser/sentry turret

Direct from UK Manufactorer: $20.50, but shipping is massive (thats okay if its all one large order)

IR Sensor (Wire Ranger)

1 Sharp GP2D120 IR Sensor - 11.5' / Analogue (http://www.roboticsconnection.com/p-23-sharp-gp2d120-ir-sensor.aspx). This is like a 'ranger' in Gmod outputting distance. They strongly suggest against getting Digital versions of these, apparently they output vastly different kinds of numbers than the analogue. The OP also recommends possibly the advanced SRF05, but warns they're rather complicated.

UK Manufactorer sells the SRF05 for $20.

Motors & Wheels

2 Gear Motors with wheels (http://www.hobbyengineering.com/H1415.html)

"The higher the ratio, the stronger robot, the lower, the faster robot. I recommend ratio somewhere between 120:1 to 210:1 for this kind of project. The reason the robot on the video is so slow, is that is has a high ratio. Slower is easier or beginners, as it it easier to understand and follow what happens."

UK Manufactorer sells 60c motors (:D!), and 30c wheels (but we can make our own :P)

Also:

They also suggest, which we have:

• Double sided adhesive tape (for mounting, the foamy sort is best)
• Some wire
• Ordinary adhesive tape (to isolate a cable perhaps)
• Simple soldering equipment (Any cheap kit will do fine)
• An ordinary small nipper or scissor to cut things
• A screwdriver

They suggest the following optional things.

• Some LED's if you want your robot to be able to signal to the world or make cool flashing-effects (Kat haz sum!)
• More servos to make your robot move more..erh..arms? Or servos with servos on etc.
• A tiny speaker if you would like your robot to produce sound-effects and communicate to you
• Some sort of belt-track system. Robots with belt tracks are way cool as well, and the controller and the rest will be the same. Here is an example to what you could take it to with belt tracks TAMYIA makes cool belt-track-systems, and this one is also a favorite of mine. Here is more info on belt-tracks.
• Any kind of line-sensor-kit, to turn your robot into a Sumo, a Line-follower, stop it from driving off tables, and everything else that needs "a look down".