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Spirit Rover on Kickstarter!Did you miss the Kickstarter? Not to worry! The Spirit Rover is currently being updated. Join our mailing list for updates on when this product becomes available again.
Learn more on the Official Kickstarter Campaign |
The Spirit Rover robot was designed to be the ultimate robot for teaching, learning, hacking, and research. Spirit is perfect for those just getting started in programming all way through to serious swarming and robotic automation research.
The Spirit Rover combines the two most popular code learning environments: the Raspberry Pi, and the Arduino. We've assembled them together into a single, high quality platform that is easily usable and endlessly hackable.
The Spirit Rover combines the two most popular code learning environments: the Raspberry Pi, and the Arduino. We've assembled them together into a single, high quality platform that is easily usable and endlessly hackable.
Start with simple tasks like reading a light sensor and changing the color of a light, then progress into more advanced topics. You will learn how robots use inertial navigation to find their way around, and computer vision to identify objects and obstacles. You'll also learn the basic electronics and communication methods the individual parts robots use to talk to each other. Learn the inner workings of the Linux operating system and how to write your own code in Python and C/C++ languages along the way.
Getting Started With Spirit
We are in process of shipping the Spirit Kickstarter units. We will add more details to this list as soon as possible. At the moment, we have only published the guide on how to physically build the rover kit. We will be adding additional guides for setting up the Arduino coding and setting up the Raspberry Pi as soon as possible.
Building Instructions:
Software Reference:
Spirit Software:
Building Instructions:
Software Reference:
- Spirit Rover - Code Reference
Follow the instructions in the Arduino Code > Setup section to get started with Arduino based coding of the rover.
Spirit Software:
- Spirit Rover - Arduino BaseSketch
Use this sketch as a template to write your own code. It includes all the back-end functions in tabs. Open this sketch inside the Arduino software. This sketch supports use of any normal Arduino functions and code as well as the functions described in the Spirit Rover Code Reference.
- Spirit Rover - Arduino BaseSketch for Pi Control
Install this Base Sketch on the Arduino processor if you will be primarily using the Raspberry Pi for control. It is the same as the normal Base Sketch, except it looks for motor control instructions from the Pi. Use it "as is" or add additional code of your own. This sketch supports use of any normal Arduino functions and code as well as the functions described in the Spirit Rover Code Reference. - Spirit Rover - Raspberry Pi Setup Code
This is the code described in the Raspberry Pi sections of the Code Reference guide. The present version is beta code, we will continue to update as we move forward. - Spirit Rover - Arduino PreLoadedDemo
This is the software that was pre-loaded on the Arduino based processor when your Spirit Rover was shipped. Use this to restore original functionality.
Programmed with Python and Arduino
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Want to learn to code in Python and/or Arduino? Whether you're new to programming or a pro, the capabilities of the Spirit Rover hardware will allow you to grow and apply your skills. Many combinations of programming are possible. Write your code using Python and C/C++ on the Raspberry Pi, or write your code in C/C++ using the free and open source Arduino environment. Our easy to use functions allow seamless communication between the two boards. |
Three Computer Boards in One Robot
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The Spirit Rover robot includes three different computers, just like many other advanced robots you'll find in the real world. You'll learn how these more advanced systems really work at the low level. A Raspberry Pi computer will handle most of your processing. Though it is optional, it is a powerful computer capable of doing many things at one time. The Pi is similar to the computer inside a tablet computer or small laptop. An Arduino compatible processor can be used alone or together with the Pi. This is the same processor as found on the popular Arduino UNO board. It is also the same processor (and runs the same code!) as the processor on our Ringo, Wink, and Plumduino boards. A Microchip PIC processor handles the low level processing on the robot. It does things like sending pulse signals to the servos, reading light sensors, and managing the power system. It is pre-loaded with code. Normally you won't play with this code on your own, but it is still open and hackable if you want to customize it. |
Learn Linux and Raspbian OS
You'll learn how to use advanced features of the powerful Linux operating system. Compile your own code, install packages, view hardware information and more.
Block Diagram
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