Project Monday: LogoTurtleBot

Dave Hrynkiw
May 14, 2012

Question: What ever happened to punch cards? Nobody really knows, but the world became a much much darker place without them. There was something undeniably magical about making a computer do your bidding through feeding it a piece of paper with a bunch of holes in it ("THE ULTIMATE POWER IS MINE! I CAN NOW FIND OUT THE SUM OF TWO SINGLE-DIGIT NUMBERS!").

Lets Make Robots user isotope is bringing punch cards into the future. He has developed a drawing robot that it programmable by feeding it with black and white paper strips. Check it out:

Aside from the GMPW wheels and motors for muscle, the LogoTurtleBot is rocking a Freeduino SB and Protoshield for brains. isotope has done a lot of fantastic things with this build - aside from the obvious novelty factor (some might think programming via paper strips isn't be the most efficient system, but it scores some mega-awesome points with us), overall it's a well thought-out platform. Using CDs to construct the chassis, for example, was a creative piece of problem-solving and an effective decision. Even the finer elements, such as the feeder for the paper instructions, is a well-executed piece of engineering. Make sure you head on over to the project page and check out the handiwork!

MORE POSTS

October 31, 2008
Wot?!? New gear motors?

Hey, how about that! We've got some new gear motors to complement the popular Mini Metal Gear Motors (the GM11a, GM12a, GM13a, GM14a, GM18 and yes, even the mutant GM19). What's particularly new is that they have sealed cylindrical gearboxes! Same sort of gearing, but no funky rectangular shape - just a nice, sleek, clean […]

June 28, 2013
OpenBeam's Fantastic Kossel Pro 3D Print...

It's pretty amazing to see the adoption rate of 3D printers in the last few years, and the kind of creativity they bring out in people. I've seen quite a few variations, particularly while walking through the 3D printer villages at the MakerFaires I've already attended (either as a vendor or just a visitor), but […]

January 13, 2003
BEPApp 3 - SPSH3

With all the interest with Wilf's "Power Smart Head", we thought it'd be an ideal project to mount on our Bicore Experimenter's PCB. To make the project work, we're even stocking the 74HC240! Check it out under the "Special Projects" link, or click here.

September 19, 2008
Yarrrr... 'Tis that time of Tide again, ...

If ye`re wonderin' what be goin' on at Solarbotics today, 'tis "Talk Like a Pirate Day". We`re big fans o' this holiday, so if ye want a 5% discount on yer order, call 't in an' TALK LIKE A SEAFARIN' HEARTY! Remember, ya gots to be talkin' like a an ol' scalwag to get the […]

Solarbotics Ltd Logo
Solarbotics has been operating for more than 25 years, bringing electronics know-how and supplies to both the electronics professional and hobbyist. We'll be happy to help you too!

Solarbotics, Ltd. is not responsible for misprints or errors on product prices or information. For more information, please see our Terms and Conditions.

Warning: This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov for more information. This item was manufactured prior to August 31, 2018.