The biggest complaint we've ever had is that the Sumovore is boring. I mean, yeah, it can beat the tar out of most other sumos in the ring without batting an eye. But it's just so boring to watch. It'd be funner to watch the paint dry on a pot of boiling water. So, after […]
SMARTBEAM! Ok, it's really microcontroll...
Dave Hrynkiw
October 2, 2008
It's been in the coming for a while, and now is the time to release it to the webosphere (yes, I said "Web-o-sphere").
Since Solarbotics Ltd. took over HVW Technologies, we simply couldn't ignore some of the benefits of microcontrollers. Really, they're not that scary. Many of them even look like our good friend the 74AC240 IC.
We're starting our blending of technologies with the PICAXE line of microcontrollers. These have some specific features that make them very usable with BEAM projects:
- They're inexpensive. Most of us BEAMers are a cheap lot, scavenging for parts.
- They're SIMPLE. Plug in a USB cable, draw flow-charts, and download the code!
- They offer suitability. With over 13 types from very simple and small (08 series) to the powerful 40X1 series, you can pick the right tool for the job, without overkill. How BEAM-ish.
So if you've become too comfortable with your latest techniques, try something new. Stretch your brain, and check out the PICAXE. We've even got starter packs, and a book!
Besides the PICAXE, we're also dabbling with the Freeduino SB. This is a project spawned from the Arduino project out of Italy. It's an open-source hardware and software project using the Atmel ATmega168 microcontroller.The really cool thing is that that it's open-source, there's a huge world-wide community of developers and users, so there's lots of help, source-code, and examples to start with.
It's more expensive than the PICAXE, but it's a different beast. Where the PICAXE is generally just the chip, Freeduino is a full system. Besides the microcontroller, the Freeduino includes:
- USB interface (so you just plug it into your PC to use it. That's it!)
- Programming software usable on Windows, Mac, and Linux,
- Programming language that is C-like, but simpler
- Built-in voltage regulation, indicator LEDs and a FUSE. How beginner-friendly is that? (Very!)
So if you're more programming savvy than flowcharts and BASIC, check out a Freeduino SB, and do some web-searches. It's an very useable, handy platform!
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Christmas Holiday Schedule - 2019
With the holidays fast approaching we would like to announce our holiday schedule which is outlined below. When deciding how to ship your orders, please review the shipping estimates at checkout as some methods may not arrive before the beginning of the holidays!
The Solar Marble Machine
... is here! Check it out in all it's glorious wooden-ness (Russian birch-ness even!): Starting today the Marble Machine is available at our website for backorder, and fully available for purchase starting May 18. The Solar Marble Machine is a result of collaboration of Solarbotics with MSRaynsford, whose original design was reworked as a solar-powered […]
Closed for Thanksgiving
Greetings! Just a quick note that Solarbotics is closed this Monday October 9th for Canadian Thanksgiving. Sorry if this is an inconvenience for you, but this turkey has made an appointment with us that we just can't miss! We'll be back to business as usual on Tuesday. See you then!
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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.