DJ Sures has been a customer of ours for a good while now, and he recently came in with this really cool product - the EZ-B. He's a professional programmer that's been hacking toys into robots, and wanted an more streamlined way to realize his dream of simple-to-implement robotics. He started with his own versions […]
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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Office Reorganization Extravanganza!
Usually I'd take the opportunity of the weekly newspost to show you something that would shake the very foundations of your soul. Y'know, by showing you the latest and greatest toys or by announcing sales and/or specials. But instead, I will show you what we've been toiling away on over the past week. You know […]
Closed Mon, Sept 6th, New Stuff
HEY! YOU! WE'LL BE CLOSED FOR LABOUR DAY AND THERE AIN'T NOTHIN' YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT! BAHAHAHA! *Ahem* It's true. On the day called Labour, we will be doing anything but. Why is that? Nobody knows. But a day off is a day off, so we ain't complaining. Standard stuff applies - we'll answer […]
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Please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov for more information. This item was manufactured prior to August 31, 2018.