GM15 Nano Robot Sumo

Unlike Sparkfun, who actually manage to find fake Atmel ICs, we just get strange batches. The Atmel ATMega328 is the power behind the Arduino/Freeduino/*duino, and we have to set up a programming system to burn the venerable Arduino Bootloader into these chips. We normally use an AVR STK500 in HVSP (high voltage serial programming) mode, […]

Here's a little something from Grant in the development lab - a very simple pair of circuits based on Mark Tilden's Bicore Shok architecture. This circuit makes for a very simple, effective Photovore robots, or even a photo-head. Take a look - schematics & parts listed included! We've also added a gallery entry for these […]

Today we have some fun stuff to play with, mainly Sandbox and Trinket, and their accessories: Sparkfun Tool Bag Kit $34.95 A portable tool bag that includes everything to get you started. Sparkfun Digital Sandbox $74.95 The Digital Sandbox makes learning how to program microcontrollers a snap! Walk through 13 unique and interesting experiments with […]

Because we use their great products while making robots, we've also carried Sherline products almost since we started Solarbotics. But the time has come to start cutting things that aren't core to our business, and the Sherline machine tools definitely take valuable time from open-source hardware hacking, lasering, and pick'n'placing. For 1 week only, we're […]