Arduino Robot hands-on | Engadget at Maker Faire 2013

There's a new kid on the Arduino block, and it's called the Arduino Robot. Launched yesterday at Maker Faire Bay Area, it's the company's first product that extends beyond single microcontroller boards. The Roomba-like design, which we first saw in November 2011, is the result of a collaboration with Complubot. It consists of two circular boards, each equipped with Atmel's ubiquitous ATmega32u4 and connected via ribbon cable.

Engadget provides the web's best consumer electronics & gadgets coverage. Launched in 2004 by former Gizmodo editor and co-founder Peter Rojas, Engadget now covers the latest mobile devices, computers, TVs, laptops, personal electronics, hardware, tablets, and cameras. Engadget's video property is a part of the AOL On Network.

Get More Engadget:

[serpnt]

I want to start DIY robotics as a hobby but have no idea where to start. I was considering Arduino but would like recommendations. Thanks.

[DCoolStuff]

I would recommend you a breadboard + PICKIT 2 clone (with ZIF socket) + PICs. Even using Arduino you will need a breadboard. The PICKIT2 is a programmer only, it can not be programmed itself, but with it you can program PIC microcontrollers. PICKIT clones are cheap, try to find a clone with a ZIF socket. PICs are very cheap, if you ruin one just replace it, if you ruin an Arduino you will have to buy the Arduino again.

[Professzore]

Arduino is a good start, but forget the "robot", just buy a simple board (for example UNO, or Mega2650 for complicated tasks), and some servos/stepmotors plus support electronics, and that's it.

[GuillermoWelch]

Complubot is from Spain... They don't know who they are working with?

[DCoolStuff]

Arduino is a tool for advanced users. Beginners don't really understand what is happening, why all those chips are on the board. I remember a guy who was already programming but asked me how he can turn on a single pin of the microcontroller, because he used 0x00 and 0xFF to handle all the bits but didn't understand how to control a single bit. Beginners that use arduino never succeed, at the end they have to start all over again from putting a single chip in a breadboard.

[Jonnyb]

A robot that follows a line? Ma dad made one of them 30 years ago. Whats the big deal?

[jcalerre]

Those wheels look like First's Lego wheels

[joshy]

The last person to get laid will be in 2012 when the world ends

Wait, I think it's already too late for that joke :P

[Ylop]

" and last to get laid" Thats what you wanna hear?

[DCoolStuff]

People that doesn't know anything about Microcontrollers are misguided by Arduino sellers. They are told that Arduino is the tool for beginners. People must begin with the basics: resistors, capacitors, switches, logic gates, and that stuff. From simple things to complex circuits. You begin with a simple circuit, low CI count, and then go to more complex ones. Arduino is a complex circuit, not recommendable for beginners.

[bigtank]

Seriously Amir, BACK UP WITH THE CAMERA... or get a wider lens...

[Sarge]

arduino is better suited to beginners and its more foolproof theres no ftdi or spi programmers and all the other bits that theyd need to learn arduino just gives them everything they need to get up and going initially then they can move onto things like making there own boards when they feel ready but i wont disagree if you spend 30 pounds on a arduino board you could build the same thing for about 5 pounds using parts although you will need to spend a couple pounds on a ftdi cable

[wangyangbuffon]

this is best for education football robot

[Sarge]

as for tha trobot man hes hugging paint wanting 250 dolalrs you could easily build the same thing for about 100 dollars spec for spec or about 50 dollars if you cut out all the shit your never gonna use

[DCoolStuff]

Why people buy that crap? You can buy a microcontroller and put it on an bread board, it will cost you like one tenth of the arduino board.