The KRZ01 robot is a robot prototype in the mini weight class.
Description#
It will use a Raspberry Pi Zero W (with Wifi) as its computer and a PiconZero as its robot controller. Considering that the microcontroller and robot controller for the KC01 together costs about NZ$82, this robot (at about NZ$52) has about a $30 price advantage, and it has wifi.
But it'd not be as friendly to work with, as it's got a Raspberry Pi rather than a Circuit Playground Express — that also depending on how you define "friendly", since this one runs on Linux, the other runs a single Python program.
RobotShop sell a MiniQ Motor Wheel Set w/ Encoder
that includes two motors, wheels and an encoder pair — with the encoders already mounted — for US$36. They use the 50:1 ratio rather than 298:1 (perhaps that's better?).
It has yet to be designed.
Requirements#
Features#
The Raspberry Pi Zero W has all the features of the Zero plus Wifi and Bluetooth:
- BCM 2835 SOC @ 1GHz
- 1GHz
- 512MB of RAM
- On-board Wireless LAN - 2.4 GHz 802.11 b/g/n (BCM43438)
- On-board Bluetooth 4.1 + HS Low-energy (BLE) (BCM43438)
- micro-SD
- mini-HDMI
- micro-B USB for data
- micro-B USB for power
- CSI camera connector (needs adaptor cable)
- Unpopulated 40-pin GPIO connector (requires soldering)
- Compatible with existing pHAT/HAT add-ons
- Dimensions: 65mm x 30mm x 5mm
The PiconZero board has the following features:
- I2C interface, leaving all GPIO pins free for your own use*
- 2 full H-Bridge motor drivers with full forward/reverse and speed control. Up to 1.5A continuous per channel (2A peak)
- 6 general purpose output channels (5V) that can be set as: Digital, PWM, Servo, WS2812( aka "Smart RGB" LEDs)
- 4 general purpose inputs (5V) that can be Digital, Analog, DS18B20 (digital temperature sensor)
- All inputs and outputs use 3-pin GVS connectors (Ground, Volts, Signal) - allowing 3-pin sensors, servos, etc. to plug straight in
- Dedicated socket for HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor. Plug it straight in, or use jumper wires to mount it further away
- 5 GPIO signals, 5V, 3V and Ground brought out to a header
- Power for outputs can be from Raspberry Pi's 5V or from an external USB input line
- Power for motors can be from internal/external 5V, or from a separate power source (3V to 11V)
- Both motor terminals have 2-pin screw connectors AND 2-pin male headers to allow maximum flexibility in connecting
- Python library module making it super-easy to use any of the features
The controller board is supplied fully assembled. No soldering is required.
Bill of Materials#
| Count | Item | Each | Total Price* | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1x | Raspberry Pi Zero W w/headers | US$14 | NZ$21 | AdaFruit |
| 1x | Picon Zero | £15.90 | NZ$31 | Pimoroni |
| Total | NZ$52 |
Options#
If you only want motor control, there's a cut-rate version of the Picon Zero people
called the PicoCon which sells for £5.
Upgrades#
Notes, Known Questions and/or Issues#