RPiBlog

For those of you interested in building your own wireless water cannon powered by Raspberry Pi, you might be interested in the new Water Gun Kit created by Joe Hoskisson based in Salt Lake City.

The kit comes almost ready for your use and provides educational introduction to electronics and robotic programming for children aged 12 and above. The water gun is battery powered and wireless which allows it be placed it in strategic positions. You can pivot it left an right with the touch of a button and make it squirt by pressing space bar.

Features of the Wireless Raspberry Pi Water Gun Kit:

• no soldering required
• quality instruction manual
• complete Python code to get the water gun to squirt and pivot

Along the way in the building process you will learn about:

• How to setup the Raspberry Pi
• How to connect to the Raspberry Pi with your desktop or laptop over WiFi
• Basic circuitry using components such as resistors, transistors, and diodes
• General Purpose Input Output pins on the Raspberry Pi (these pins allow you to control external devices)
• Solderless prototyping boards or breadboards
• Basic programming concepts in the Python language
• Basic commands in the Linux terminal (command line)



To learn more about the Raspberry Pi Water Gun Kit watch the demonstration video above or visit their KickStarter page and make a pledge if you are interested.

Source: Kickstarter

Plum Geek have launched their forth Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for the new Spirit Rover which is an open source hackable robot. It has been specifically designed to enable users to learn more about Raspberry Pi and Arduino by designing their own rover missions.

Spirit is a perfect starting point for students and hobbyists looking for an expandable and full featured robot platform. Whether you're new to coding or involved in serious robotics research, the Spirit Rover has something for you.

Hardware

Spirit Rover is outfitted with up to three different computing processors, built with high quality components, and fit into an iconic form factor that any tech nerd can appreciate! The plastic frame parts are made from semi-flexible ABS plastic while modules like the pan/tilt head assembly, motor/servo mounts, and connecting hardware are composed of stamped metal parts for maximum durability.

Sensors:

The Spirit Rover is jam packed with various on-board sensors to keep your projects fresh and evolving for years to come. It includes a 3-axis Accelerometer and a 3-axis Gyroscope to sense rotation and movement in all directions. It also includes an IR remote receiver and ambient light sensor.

Various headers are also present to allow interfacing of popular accessories like XBee, Bluetooth (HC-06) and WiFi (ESP8266).

Three Computer Boards in One Robot


The Spirit Rover robot includes three different computation modules, just like many other advanced robots you'll find in the real world. Commands from the Pi can be sent to Arduino controller on the rover's main board using a set of simple and easy to use functions. The Arduino then in turn communicates automatically with a Microchip PIC processor which runs constantly in the background managing the low level hardware, doing things like setting the servo positions, measuring the ultrasonic rangefinder, measuring how much current the robot is consuming, etc.

● Raspberry Pi: Though it is optional, it is a powerful computer capable of doing many things at one time. The Pi can be used to perform complex tasks like computer vision which are computationally intensive.

● Arduino: Spirit Rover utilizes the same micro-controller as found on the popular Arduino UNO board. It takes care of the high and mid level functions of the robot and enables running the rover without the Pi present.

● PIC: 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.

Software

The Spirit Rover combines the two most popular code learning environments: the Raspberry Pi, and the Arduino and allows you to design your own missions whilst learning to program in Python, C/C++, and Linux along the way. As your skills increase you can then hack the robot in any way you like to expand your knowledge and skills even further.


You can start with simple tasks like reading a light sensor and changing the color of on-board RGB "NeoPixel" style LED lights, then progress into more advanced topics. You can also learn about how robots use inertial navigation to find their way around, and computer vision to identify objects and obstacles. With Raspbian you can 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.

To learn more about the new Spirit Rover do visit their Kickstarter page and make a pledge if you are interested. $30,000 is required to take the new Spirit Rover into production.

ExpEYES (Experiments for Young Engineers and Scientists) is a science and experimentation platform designed by the PHOENIX project, which forms part of the Inter-University Accelerator Centre (IUAC) in New Delhi, India. It can be described as an ultra low cost electronics lab capable of being used as an oscilloscope and a signal generator.

It lets you develop science and electronics experiments, demonstrations, and projects without getting too involved in the nitty-gritty details of electronics or computer programming. In other words it basically converts your Raspberry Pi into a portable science and electronics laboratory.

 Features:

● 12 bit Analog Input/Output
● Digital I/O
● Time interval measurements
● Waveform Generation
● USB Powered
● GUI for 50 experiments
● Python Programmable
● Works as a Test Equipment
● 8.6 x 5.8 x 1.5 cm3, 60 gm.
● Open Hardware

expEYES is powered by an AVR ATmega16 MCU , running at 8 MHz. It uses FT232RL chip to communicate with the Raspberry Pi. expEYES is capable of acting as a four-channel oscilloscope with 12-bit analogue resolution, microsecond timing resolution and a 250 kHz sampling frequency. It also comes equipped with an built-in signal generator.

Interfacing with Raspberry Pi

First, update your system's package list by entering the following command in LXTerminal or from the command line: 

sudo apt-get update

Next, run the following command 

sudo apt-get install expeyes 

ExpEYES has a number of dependencies that are required for it to run under Linux, as well as a number of other recommended libraries. To avoid any problems later, you can run the following command in order to make sure that they are all installed:
 
sudo apt-get install python python-expeyes python-imaging-tk python-tk grace tix python-numpy python-scipy python-pygrace

expEYES Hardware Availability

ExpEYES is currently available from the following firms:-

1.  Fab.to.Lab (Ships Internationally) (Cheapest Online)
2.  Pi-Supply (Ships Internationally)

Modee is a simple and robust case for the Raspberry Pi2, the purpose is not to create just another Pi case but to make a robust and affordable design that can be incorporated into industrial applications. The idea is to incorporate modee into new and existing automated machinery at a level that is affordable to small manufacturers and startups.

Once assembled the bottom of the case is open which allows easy access to all of the Pi's pins when the case is turned over.  Once all wiring is completed the case can then be flipped back over to conceal any wiring whilst allowing the wires to protrude through the rear of the case.

The case also has 4 mounting holes, the purpose of these holes are to allow Modee to be "bolted" to future machinery & equipment that we are looking to develop for industrial applications.

For more information please visit the kickstarter page here.

What exactly is a PiVenture?

In short, the PiVenture itself is a custom made acrylic chassis that is reinforced with metal brackets and standoffs, designed to interface with popular Raspberry Pi compatible accessories. In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of this platform, Pionics Robotics have created several reward levels ranging from the bare-bones chassis to a fully functional globe-trotting robot companion - designed by hobbyists, for hobbyists!


That does sound interesting… but what can it actually do?

Anything you want! They have outfitted the PiVenture with a wide range of sensors to allow you to experience the world through your new robots eyes, a rechargeable speaker to communicate, a solar charging battery for long adventures and a range of minor accessories to make your PiVenture more versatile.

Here's a quick rundown of the PiVenture components, and be sure to check their Website and YouTube channel for further updates.

1. PiVenture Chassis: A custom designed acrylic and metal enclosure available in many colors, providing protection for your Raspberry Pi and simple mounts for additional components. The PiVenture "Vanguard" chassis also features a multi-size beverage trailer!
2. DC Motors: Selected powerful 25D motors to allow your PiVenture to tackle difficult terrain, combined with a sturdy caster wheel for variable speed drive and on-the- spot rotation. 
3. Wheels/Tracks: Choose from thin tyres for smooth surfaces, thick tyres for roads or carpet and MXL tank tread wheels for rocky or sludgy terrain. 
4. Motor Controller: The PiVenture is designed to be compatible with multiple existing controllers; to demonstrate that they have modified a popular Pololu unit (The DRV8835) to directly accept header cables and a USB power source. Comes fully assembled. 
5. Solar USB Battery: If the Raspberry Pi is a robot brain, then these USB batteries were surely meant to be the heart! Lithium-Ion cells provide Dual 5V output to power Pi and Motors simultaneously, with plenty to spare to run all your sensors and an integrated super-bright LED for night driving. Recharge from any laptop or desktop USB port, or from the sun while out and about - Functions at full power for over 4 hours and much longer in standby mode. 
6. LEDs: While the USB Battery, Wi-Fi adaptor, Raspberry Pi and USB Sound Card all have their own status lights you will be able to be to directly control a proper LED. Each PiVenture will ship with two LEDs to choose from (one disco flash + one solid color) with custom resistor integrated header cables to directly connect via GPIO. 
7. Wi-Fi/Keyboard: Connect to your home or office Wi-Fi and access via web browser on multiple platforms and operating systems, or take your PiVenture outdoors and control via your compatible Smartphone (In AP mode!) or wireless keyboard. 
8. Ultrasonic Sensor: Active or passive range finding using sound waves for real-time distance measuring or autonomous driving mode. Standard and custom resistor integrated GPIO header cables included. 
9. Flip Sensor: A simple but effective suspended ball sensor, connects directly to GPIO and monitors if your PiVenture is still upright and ready to drive. 
10. Heat/Moisture Sensors: Monitor for heat signatures (people and pets) while indoors or keep a constant vigil for those pesky rain drops while outside. Both included however connect via one cable - can not be used simultaneously. 
11. USB Cameras: Lower resolution (8MP 320x240) than the official R-Pi cams, these hardy units require little power, are self contained and better suited to hazardous or low- signal environments. Stream or record video and take photos from 1 or two units mounted front and rear, or extend up to a meter from the main chassis for home surveillance. Optional sticky lenses to increase FOV included in “Vanguard” pack. 
12. Speaker: All robots should be seen AND heard! These wonderful speakers deliver clear and vibrant audio for talking, singing or playing tunes - Powered by their own internal USB chargeable battery with control from an integrated volume/power switch. Connects via included USB soundcard rather than the 3.5mm R-Pi jack for superior quality. Want to connect your own sound system? No problem!
13. Programming: As a totally open-source project all of the code will be shared without restraint. The majority of scripts will be python based, with integration for other projects such as eSpeak and MJPEG-Streamer. The PiVenture is recommended for use with  modified Raspian image which will be free to download from the website or pre-installed on 8GB Class 10 SHDC Micro-SD cards.