Robotics

AlphaBot2-PiZero Acce Pack requires the controller Raspberry Pi Zero/Zero W /Zero WH if you don't have one in hand please use the links to add them to your order. Batteries are not included.

Overview

This AlphaBot2 robot kit is designed to use with Raspberry Pi Zero/Zero W (not included). It features rich common robot functions including line tracking, obstacle avoiding, ultrasonic ranging, Bluetooth/infrared/WiFi remote control (Bluetooth and WiFi are Zero W specific), video monitoring, etc.

Thanks to the highly integrated modular design, it is fairly easy to assemble by a snap, no soldering, no wiring. After a few minutes spent on hardware assembling, you're almost there, our open source demo codes is ready to help you get started fast.

AlphaBot2 Features

AlphaBot2 employs a 2-layer structure to provide excellent stability and compatibility.

AlphaBot2-Base, the lower base chassis:

• 5-ch infrared sensor, analog output, combined with PID algorithm, stable line tracking
• Onboard modules like line tracking, obstacle avoiding, needs no messy wiring
• TB6612FNG dual H-bridge motor driver, compared with L298P, it's more efficient, more compact, and less heating
• N20 micro gear motor, with metal gears, low noise, high accuracy
• Onboard RGB LEDs, true color lighting, pretty cool

AlphaBot2-PiZero, the upper adapter board for controller:

• LM2596 voltage regulator, provides the Pi with stable 5V power
• TLC1543 AD acquisition chip, allows the Pi to use analog sensors
• PCA9685 servo controller, make it more smoothly to rotate the pan head
• CP2102 UART converter, easy for controlling the Pi via UART
• USB HUB chip, more USB ports for devices like NIC

What's on the AlphaBot2-Base

1. AlphaBot2 control interface: for connecting sorts of controller adapter board
2. Ultrasonic module interface
3. Obstacle avoiding indicators
4. Omni-direction wheel
5. ST188: reflective infrared photoelectric sensor, for obstacle avoiding
6. ITR20001/T: reflective infrared photoelectric sensor, for line tracking
7. Potentiometer for adjusting obstacle avoiding range
8. TB6612FNG dual H-bridge motor driver
9. LM393 voltage comparator
10. N20 micro gear motor reduction rate 1:30, 6V/600RPM
11. Rubber wheels diameter 42mm, width 19mm
12. Power switch
13. Battery holder: supports 14500 batteries
14. WS2812B: true color RGB LEDs
15. Power indicator

What's on the AlphaBot2-PiZero

1. AlphaBot2 control interface: for connecting AlphaBot2-Base
2. LM2596: 5V voltage regulator
3. Raspberry Pi interface: for connecting Raspberry Pi Zero/Zero W
4. IR receiver
5. Buzzer
6. FE1.1S: USB HUB chip
7. 12M crystal
8. USB TO UART: easy for controlling the Pi via UART
9. USB HUB interface: extends the USB port of Raspberry Pi Zero/Zero W
10. CP2102: USB TO UART converter
11. PCA9685: servo controller, make it more smoothly to rotate the pan head
12. TLC1543: 10-bit AD acquisition chip, allows the Pi to use analog sensors
13. Servo interface
14. USB indicators
15. USB ports: more USB capability

Examples

AlphaBot2 multi robots line following

AlphaBot2-PiZero robot obstacle avoiding

AlphaBot2-PiZero robot RGB LED remote control

AlphaBot2-PiZero robot video monitor

AlphaBot2-PiZero robot Bluetooth control

Development Resources

Wiki : www.waveshare.com/wiki/AlphaBot2-PiZero

Note: this product requires two 14500 batteries to work, which are NOT included and should be purchased separately. Even though the battery holder fits the normal AA batteries DO NOT USE THEM!  A 14500 lithium cell is identical in shape and size to a standard AA battery. But that is where the similarities end. AA supplies 1.5V each where 14500 supply 3.7V each.


Package Includes:

1. AlphaBot2-PiZero (adapter board) x1
2. AlphaBot2-Base (base chassis) x1
3. RPi Camera (B) x1
4. Ultrasonic sensor
5. Micro SD Card 16GB x1
6. Power adapter US standard 5V/2.5A USB output x1
7. SG90 servo x2
8. 2 DOF pan and tilt kit x1
9. IR remote controller x1
10. FC-20P cable 8cm x1
11. Micro USB connector x1
12. RPi Zero V1.3 Camera Cable 30cm x1
13. USB type A plug to micro B plug cable x1
14. AlphaBot2-PiZero screws x1
15. Micro SD Card Reader x1 
16. Screwdriver x1 

Note: Raspberry Pi 3 is NOT included. Batteries are not included

Overview

This AlphaBot2 robot kit is designed to use with Raspberry Pi 3 Model B (not included). It features rich common robot functions including line tracking, obstacle avoiding, Bluetooth/infrared/WiFi remote control, video monitoring, etc.

Thanks to the highly integrated modular design, it is fairly easy to assemble by a snap, no soldering, no wiring. After a few minutes spent on hardware assembling, you're almost there, our open source demo codes is ready to help you get started fast.

AlphaBot2 Features

AlphaBot2 employs a 2-layer structure to provide excellent stability and compatibility.

AlphaBot2-Base, the lower base chassis:

• 5-ch infrared sensor, analog output, combined with PID algorithm, stable line tracking
• Onboard modules like line tracking, obstacle avoiding, needs no messy wiring
• TB6612FNG dual H-bridge motor driver, compared with L298P, it's more efficient, more compact, and less heating
• N20 micro gear motor, with metal gears, low noise, high accuracy
• Onboard RGB LEDs, true color lighting, pretty cool

AlphaBot2-Pi, the upper adapter board for controller:

• LM2596 voltage regulator, provides the Pi with stable 5V power
• TLC1543 AD acquisition chip, allows the Pi to use analog sensors
• PCA9685 servo controller, make it more smoothly to rotate the pan head
• CP2102 UART converter, easy for controlling the Pi via UART

What's on the AlphaBot2-Base

1. AlphaBot2 control interface: for connecting sorts of controller adapter board
2. Ultrasonic module interface
3. Obstacle avoiding indicators
4. Omni-direction wheel
5. ST188: reflective infrared photoelectric sensor, for obstacle avoiding
6. ITR20001/T: reflective infrared photoelectric sensor, for line tracking
7. Potentiometer for adjusting obstacle avoiding range
8. TB6612FNG dual H-bridge motor driver
9. LM393 voltage comparator
10. N20 micro gear motor reduction rate 1:30, 6V/600RPM
11. Rubber wheels diameter 42mm, width 19mm
12. Power switch
13. Battery holder: supports 14500 batteries
14. WS2812B: true color RGB LEDs
15. Power indicator

What's on the AlphaBot2-Pi

1. AlphaBot2 control interface: for connecting AlphaBot2-Base
2. Raspberry Pi interface: for connecting Raspberry Pi 3 Model B
3. Servo interface
4. USB TO UART: easy for controlling the Pi via UART
5. LM2596: 5V voltage regulator
6. TLC1543: 10-bit AD acquisition chip, allows the Pi to use analog sensors
7. PCA9685: servo controller, make it more smoothly to rotate the pan head
8. CP2102: USB TO UART converter
9. Joystick
10. IR receiver
11. Buzzer

Examples

AlphaBot2 multi robots line following

AlphaBot2-Pi robot obstacle avoiding

AlphaBot2-Pi robot RGB LED remote control

AlphaBot2-Pi robot video monitor

AlphaBot2-Pi robot Bluetooth control

Development Resources

Wiki : www.waveshare.com/wiki/AlphaBot2-Pi

Package Includes:

Note: this product requires two 14500 batteries to work, which are NOT included and should be purchased separately. Even though the battery holder fits the normal AA batteries DO NOT USE THEM!  A 14500 lithium cell is identical in shape and size to a standard AA battery. But that is where the similarities end. AA supplies 1.5V each where 14500 supply 3.7V each.

1. AlphaBot2-Pi (adapter board) x1
2. AlphaBot2-Base (base chassis) x1
3. RPi Camera (B) x1
4. Micro SD Card 16GB x1
5. Power adapter US standard 5V/2.5A USB output x1
6. SG90 servo x2
7. 2 DOF pan and tilt kit x1
8. IR remote controller x1
9. FC-20P cable 8cm x1
10. USB type A plug to micro B plug cable x1
11. 15PIN FFC 25cm x1
12. AlphaBot2-Pi screws x1
13. Micro SD Card Reader x1 (Extra Free)
14. Screwdriver x1 (Extra Free)

Description:

There are two L9110S motor controller chips onboard
This module can simultaneously drive two DC motors or a 4-wire 2-phase stepper motor

Feature:

Work under low static current
Power supply voltage: DC 2.5V - 12V
Each channel has 800mA continuous current output
Low saturation pressure drop
TTL / CMOS output level compatible, can be connected directly to the CPU
Output built-in clamping diode, apply to the perceptual load
Control and drive integrate in IC
Pin high pressure protection function
Working temperature: 0°C - 80°C
Size: 29 x 21mm(L x W)

Circuit diagram:
 

Package includes:

  1x L9110S stepper motor driver

This robot chassis is designed to be used with our Explorer HAT, Explorer HAT Pro, or Explorer pHAT boards though it will work with other motor drivers!

The kit is a great way to introduce yourself to robots and controlling motors with your Raspberry Pi. It even includes a camera mount so your little robot can take pictures while it's roaming around!

There is no soldering required and the whole kit can be put together with a small flat-head screwdriver.

Connor Plant has created a build video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHn3ZiPG69w

Kit includes:

• Laser cut chassis
• Raspberry Pi camera mount
• 2 x super-grippy moon-buggy wheels
• 2 x push header motors (298:1 ratio)
• 0.5" front castor wheel
• Jumper leads
• 2 x motor mounting brackets
• 2 x battery clips (battery optional and not included)
• Nuts, bolts, and other fixings

Build up your robot and program it in Python, Scratch, or whatever language you prefer! Add a USB battery pack (not included) and a WiFi dongle and you can make it roam free!

Does not include the Raspberry Pi, Raspberry Pi Camera, or Explorer HAT (Pro or pHAT).

Fire four solenoids, spin two DC motors or step one bi-polar or uni-polar stepper with 1.2A per channel (3A peak) using the TB6612.

 We really like these dual H-bridges, so if you want to control motors without a shield or HAT these are easy to include on any solderless breadboard or perma-proto.

We solder on TB6612 onto a breakout board for you here, with a polarity protection FET on the motor voltage input and a pullup on the "standby" enable pin. Each breakout chip contains two full H-bridges (four half H-bridges). That means you can drive four solenoids, two DC motors bi-directionally, or one stepper motor. Just make sure they're good for 1.2 Amp or less of current, since that's the limit of this chip. They do handle a peak of 3A but that's just for a short amount of time. What we like most about this particular driver is that it comes with built in kick-back diodes internally so you dont have to worry about the inductive kick damaging your project or driver!

There's two digital inputs per H-bridge (one for each half of the bridge) as well as a PWM input per driver so you can control motor speed. Runs at 2.7V-5V logic. The motor voltage is separate from the logic voltage. Good for motor voltages from 4.5V up to 13.5V! This wont work well for 3V motors.

Comes as one assembled and tested breakout plus a small strip of header. You'll need to do some light soldering to attach the header onto the breakout PCB. Arduino, motors, and power supply not included. Check out the handy tutorial on assembly and wiring!

• The ULN2803APG / AFWG Series are high−voltage,high−current darlington drivers comprised of eight NPN darlington pairs.
• All units feature integral clamp diodes for switching inductive loads.
• Applications include relays, hammer, solenoid, unipolar steppers, lamp and display (LED) drivers etc.
• Output current (single output): 500 mA (max)
• High sustaining voltage output: 50 V (min)
• Output clamp diodes
• Inputs compatible with various types of logic.
• Package Type−APG : DIP−18pin

Downloads

ULN2803 Data Sheet

Tutorials

How to Control a Stepper Motor using your Raspberry Pi & the ULN2803 Driver Chip

Please note: Raspberry Pi not included

The Explorer HAT and Explorer HAT Pro are the perfect prototyping side-kicks for your Raspberry Pi!

We've added a heap of useful input and output options that will take your projects to the next level. Great for driving motors, using analog sensors, interfacing with 5V systems, and touch (even fruit based!) interfaces.

It's compatible with Raspberry Pi 2, Pi 3, B+, and A+ and comes fully assembled.

Features:

• Four buffered 5V tolerant inputs
• Four powered 5V outputs (up to 500mA!)
• Four capacitive touch pads
• Four capacitive crocodile clip pads
• Four coloured LEDs
• PRO ONLY Four analog inputs
• PRO ONLY Two H-bridge motor drivers
• PRO ONLY A heap of useful (unprotected) 3v3 goodies from the GPIO
• A mini breadboard on top!

5V tolerant inputs - Hook up your Pi to accept input from 5V systems (like Arduino Uno/Leonardo or 5V Trinkets). We've used a 5-channel buffer that will accept anything from 2V-5V as logic high.

5V powered ouputs - The onboard darlington array can supply up to 500mA per channel (but you'll be limited to driving around 1A total from the board). Ideal for stepper motors, solenoids, and relays.

Eight capacitive inputs - Four along the front edge for touch input (labelled 1, 2, 3, 4) and four up the side for attaching crocodile clips to objects (such as fruit, or tin foil) for experimentation!

Four coloured LEDs - Independently controllable LEDs (red, green, blue, and yellow) that make great status indicators.

Four analog inputs (pro only) - A tidy way to integrate analog signals into your project.

Two H-Bridge motor drivers (pro only) - Drive two 5V motors bidirectionally with up to 200mA per channel. Ideal with our micro-metal gear-motors to create the perfect little buggy! You can even soft-PWM for full speed control.

Full Python library, documentation and examples - Head on over to our GitHub to find a Python library, examples, documentation and a brief introduction to Explorer HAT: https://github.com/pimoroni/explorer-hat

• Dual H-Bridges - run four solenoids, two DC motors, or one uni-polar or bi-polar stepper motor
• Output Current: 600mA per channel (1.2A Max)
• No of Channels: 4
• Input: 5V Logic
• Supply Voltage Range: 4.5V to 36V
• No. of Pins: 16
• Operating Temperature Range: 0°C to +70°C

Downloads

L293DNE Data Sheet

Tutorials

Controlling a Stepper Motor with the L293D

Raspberry Pi: Controlling a DC Motor

Arduino: Stepper Motors

Arduino: DC Motor Reversing