Servo - December 2013

Continued from page 17

R680 Banshi Robotic Arm

Global Specialties introduces their Banshi robotic arm. The R680 is an affordable robot for educators and hobbyists. It is ideally suited to learn the basics of electronics, mechanics, and programming. The Banshi is controlled by a powerful ATmega64 microcontroller that is programmable via open source tools in C.

The robot comes with many example programs already written that can be downloaded to the robot using the supplied USB interface and the RobotLoader software. Or, users can write their own custom programs using the free open source WinAVR software. The robot arm can be controlled using the included keyboard or RACS software. Using the software, movements of the Banshi can be recorded and played back.

The I/Os (inputs and outputs) — together with the flexible I2C bus system — allow the addition of extra modules, thus enabling the robot to react to its environment. The Banshi Robot features: • Six degrees of freedom • ATmega64 processor • Complete 72 page manual • USB interface • Various available I/Os • I2C bus • Downloadable programs with the included RobotLoader software • Easy control with keyboard or RACS software • Plastic arm and metal chassis • 12V power supply The Banshi comes unassembled as a kit. Assembly tools are included. The Banshi robotic arm lists at $199.