enables users to design, create, submit,
and print new 3D parts that they and
other community members can use to
greatly increase the augmentation
capabilities of the Revolution platform.
“That capability is built into EZ-Builder. We created a standard called
EZ-Bit. We published the robot
platform’s dimensions free online and
allow people to create their own parts
on the EZ-Bits standard,” comments
Sures. When someone creates an EZ-Bit
part, they simply submit that to the EZ-Robot server using the EZ-Robot EZ-Builder software. Then, EZ-Robot verifies
the part and adds it to the existing
library of 3D items available to anyone
in the community. This is one way EZ-Robot Revolution gives everyone the
power to innovate.
To program the robots, builders can
use the auto positioning function to
grab servos and move them into the
different positions they want them to
go in. The robot then records that
information. With auto position, auto
gating, and high precision servos, the
robot can do this without ending up in
strange, unnatural positions that might
otherwise result from this programming
approach.
The EZ-Robot software supports
vision tracking cameras that connect via
USB ports. EZ-Robot also has its own
camera for the microcontroller board.
This circuit board streams information
across a Wi-Fi connection, according to
Sures.
Software updates and capabilities
based on demand from the EZ-Robot
Revolution builder community are
constantly added. For example, a
student using the Revolution platform
posted to the EZ-Robot forum that he
would like to have his robot stop when
it sees red and go when it sees green.
In response, Sures built a color
wheel in software code. Now,
roboticists can find and fine-tune the
color they want to use. When the
robot’s camera sees the selected color,
it can execute an associated script with
the variable the roboticist has
determined for that color — such as
stopping or starting.
Post comments on this article at www.servomagazine.com/index.php/magazine/article/january2014_GeerHead.
SERVO 01.2014 13
Is this a Roli or a robot scorpion?
This modified Roli's pincers and stinger make him look like a robotic scorpion.
Fortunately, Roli is all bark and no bite — but watch out for those claws.
Six straddles stump.
EZ-Robot Revolution's “Six” hexapod robot straddles a tree stump
in the wild. This hexapod is easy to program for sure six-footed
walking and clear machine vision.
