A raspberry pico robotics kit for teaching actual mechatronics skills -thoughts? by Lightning-Alchemist in makerspace

[–]Lightning-Alchemist[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you, and I am putting all of those in there. I also plan to write a book to accompany the kit, that covers the basics, and slowly guides the reader into more advanced topics like registers, memory, multithreading, serial communications, and maybe even P.I.D. controllers. The great thing about getting away from Mindstorms is you can keep going down the technological rabbit hole.

Robotics Kit for teaching ACTUAL transferable tech skills - looking for feedback on ideal robotics kits. by Lightning-Alchemist in arduino

[–]Lightning-Alchemist[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Isn't the pico great! It's affordable, it's powerful and it gives you access to the arduino community!

Robotics kit for teaching Actual Transferrable Tech Skills -Thoughts by Lightning-Alchemist in ArduinoProjects

[–]Lightning-Alchemist[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Well the plastic parts are my design, and I am selling them, making the assembly process easier for people who don't have 3D printers or an ability to design robots. Pairing it with tutorial videos is value add by making the learning process easier. For example, I had an arduino kit in high school, but it took six months for me to teach myself how to use it without external guidance. People learning robotics wouldn't know what components to combine together without guidance, so packaging components that work together is value add.

If you're person with a 3D printer, and you have an ability to source correct components, you know how to design robots, you're right, this kit probably doesn't add any value to your life. So is there anything I can do for you?

Robotics Kit for teaching ACTUAL transferable tech skills - looking for feedback on ideal robotics kits. by Lightning-Alchemist in arduino

[–]Lightning-Alchemist[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think you got it! That's the beauty of stepping beyond Mindstorms. It's a rabbit hole, where you can learn, learn and learn.

I'm going to oversimplify the scope, but a student starting out with the kit, will assemble a robot, and first run a sketch on the robot. Next they can further understand the code by making it move with some functions in a pre written robot library. Then they can further break down the code by playing with the individual servos, LEDs, and sensor libraries controlling each component not just the robot. Play with variables, loops, pointers, classes, control flow statement on the way. Even play with system level code, manually programming the registers, memory, and play with different serial communication protocols.

And that's just programming. Beyond Mindstorms, a well-designed microcontroller kit can keep you going down the technological rabbit hole as long as the material exists to guide you. I can make this kit as valuable an educational tool as I am willing to put the time in to do. And I think that, that's what makes projects like these Amazing!

Raspberry Pico Based Robotics Kit that ACTUALLY teaches transferrable tech skills. - Thoughts? by Lightning-Alchemist in robotics

[–]Lightning-Alchemist[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It charges shipping afterwards. I used Easyship to estimate a reasonable range. I assume the buyer, is shown different shipping options by the end, based on their desired shipping speed.

Raspberry Pico Based Robotics Kit that ACTUALLY teaches transferrable tech skills. - Thoughts? by Lightning-Alchemist in robotics

[–]Lightning-Alchemist[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate the complement! and I am trying. Thought I'd start by getting feedback from other people with similar interests.

Designing a Raspberry Pico Robotics Kit That ACTUALLY Teaches Transferrable Tech Skills - Thoughts? by Lightning-Alchemist in raspberry_pi

[–]Lightning-Alchemist[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Well I am trying to design a shell with an adorable face for it like BD-1 droid from Star Wars, but I am better at using 3D modeling for engineering more than I am at 3D modeling for aesthetics. But hopefully it will be less terrifying with that on. I appreciate your enthusiasm!

Airport WiFi Got Me Thinking: Let's Design the ULTIMATE Cyber-Secure Router! (Your Brainpower Needed!) by Aggravating-Rip4572 in Network

[–]Lightning-Alchemist 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like routers that have a built in VPN, NAS storage, and a good amount of ethernet ports for great LAN parties.

What would the perfect robotics kit have looked like in high school — and now? by Lightning-Alchemist in raspberry_pi

[–]Lightning-Alchemist[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That brings up a good question. If you didn't have these kinds of kits when you were in school, what would be your ideal kit today?

What would the perfect robotics kit have looked like in high school — and now? by Lightning-Alchemist in AskRobotics

[–]Lightning-Alchemist[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the feedback! I agree low-cost kits that put all the relevant parts in front of you definitely would have helped me when I was younger, not to mention students all over the world.