RobotShop Feeds

In This Issue...

The FlowBotics Developer Zone is now live!

RobotShop Expands Across The United Kingdom

More Recent Articles

Search RobotShop Blog

The FlowBotics Developer Zone is now live!

What is the FlowBotics Developer Zone?

Robotics is moving fast, and soon enough, applications (“apps”) made specifically for robots will become a multi-billion dollar industry. The new FlowBotics Studio software development platform is the ideal tool to create such “robot apps” and includes everything you need to make your robots smarter, easier to use and more functional. The FlowBotics Developer Zone is for anyone who is interested in creating robotic apps – from the curious but inexperienced enthusiast to the seasoned robotics developer. This website has the resources for anyone to get started quickly with creating their first FlowBotics Studio application.

Getting Started

FlowBotics Studio is a software development platform which allows you to easily create stand-alone apps for your robots. Apps are made primarily using FlowBotics’ graphical interface, but can also include some blocks of Ruby code. If you haven’t yet started making projects in FlowBotics, we recommend starting with this tutorial.

FlowBotics Components

Modifying a Project from the App Store

If you want to learn FlowBotics Studio by seeing what went into creating a stand-alone app and perhaps modifying it, the Phidgets series of apps were designed to make this very easy. All of these apps include both a stand-alone executable file as well as the source file which can be accessed and edited using FlowBotics Studio. We’ve also made an in-depth tutorial on how to make changes to the Phidget 8/8/8 App.

Phidgets 8/8/8 Interface App

Modifying a Project that came with FlowBotics Studio

If you are modifying one of the Lynxmotion robot projects that is included with FlowBotics Studio, this programming guide will show you where to make changes.

Modifying a FlowBotics Project

Implementing Serial Protocols

Many hardware devices communicate with a normal computer using serial protocol; some are simple ASCII-based protocols, but others can be more complex binary. No need to worry though, as both can easily be created easily in FlowBotics. We offer a Lynxmotion SSC-32 Protocol Tutorial which is ASCII-based and a Dynamixel Protocol Tutorial which is binary.

Serial Protocol in FlowBotics

Serial Protocol Detail

Making an App from Scratch

Starting with FlowBotics Studio version 3.0.7, everyone can now generate their own FlowBotics App. These apps are standalone Windows executable programs (.exe files) that have an integrated activation system which makes them ready for sale in the RobotShop App Store. Here’s how to convert your project into an app.

Create an App via FlowBotics Studio

Make Money!

Once you have created your FlowBotics App, you’ll probably want to sell it through the RobotShop App Store.

RobotShop App Store

What is the RobotShop App Store?

The idea behind the RobotShop App Store is similar to the Apple App Store, but here the apps are specifically for robotic platforms, regardless of the manufacturer or the operating system. At the moment, we sell mostly downloadable robot apps, but we envision a future where applications will run on the “robotic cloud”. This approach will free up computation time and resources on the robots and will make a single app compatible with many different robotic platforms. You can browse the RobotShop App Store here.

I’m a developer, why should I join?

We believe the future is digital. Tomorrow, the intelligence behind your robots will not be restricted to their physical platforms; most of the intelligence dictating their behavior and actions will be in the cloud. This intelligence will be transferable to all robotic platforms, real or virtual. Information, knowledge, and skills will be instantly available everywhere. We have seen tremendous transformation in technology in the recent years and we are going to see much more in the next decades. This evolution is exponential. Robot developers are the new heroes of science and technology and they know what is coming; They understand technology’s evolution. With the vision of one robot in every home and the interconnected world where all intelligent objects are connected to Internet, robot developers understand the potential and the opportunities. Some say that there will be 50 billion connected devices by 2020. Our question to you is: how many of those do you think will be robots? Once robots are connected to the Internet, what is the next logical step? The next step is the Web for Robots where Robot apps will become a multi-billion dollar industry. Developers that will have started to experiment early, sell and build their Brand will have a huge advantage.

How much money will I make?

As a developer, you will receive 75% of the MSRP for every app sold! RobotShop retains only 25% of all transactions.

App Ideas to Get Started

Are you looking for an idea for an App that hasn’t yet been created? Take a look at some ideas below:

Phidgets Stepper Motor

Create an interface for both the PhidgetStepper Bipolar HC (RB-Phi-179) and the Unipolar 4-Motor (RB-Phi-67).
This would be similar to other Phidgets apps, except it would support both boards at once.

Phidgets Bipolar (left) and Unipolar 4-Motor (right) Stepper Motor Controllers

Phidgets RFID

Create an interface for the PhidgetRFID ReadWrite (RB-Phi-199).
Support read/write access to RFID cards.
Include a time-stamp data logger.
Create functionality for an access list that can be exported and imported.

Phidgets RFID

Arduino as an I/O board

Use an Arduino board to create an interface similar to the Phidgets 8/8/8 app.
Offer support for both the Arduino Uno (RB-Ard-34) and Arduino Mega 2560 (RB-Ard-33).
Pin modes might include:
- 6 analog inputs: A0-A5
- 6 digital inputs: D2-D7
- 6 digital outputs: D8-D13

Arduino Uno

DFRobotShop Rover Sequencer

Create an app for the DFRobotShop Rover with Bluetooth (RB-Rbo-41) and combine it with the Encoder Pair (RB-Rbo-122).
The interface could look like Lynxmotion 2WD Rover (included in FBS)
Use encoders and PID to keep the robot moving in straight line.
Include WASD keyboard control and/or PS2 remote control
Can be extended with FBS code to include a distance sensor (action: define)
Fixed movement blocks (based on robot odometer, not time)
Turns with configurable radius and turn length

DFRobotShop Rover

Roomba Dashboard

Connect to Roomba with RooTooth Module (RB-Spa-678).
Displays basic sensor state information:
- Digital: 2 wheel drops, 6 cliffs, 2 bumper, 6 light touch, 2 wall, 1 battery status.
- Analogue: 4 motor currents, 3 battery info (volt/current/charge)
Self-test sequence to run the motors, verify the performance, and produce a test report.

Roomba Control Commander

Create a pattern sequencer similar to DFRobotShop Rover Sequencer (see above) but for Roomba.
Connect to the Roomba using the RooTooth Module (RB-Spa-678).
Similar to RoboControl (RB-Rba-01), but easier to install and use.
Support for similar models as the Roomba Dashboard (see above).

• Email to a friend • Article Search • View comments • Track comments •

RobotShop Expands Across The United Kingdom

RobotShop launched today a new branch of the RobotShop website dedicated to shoppers from the United Kingdom.

RobotShop UK Website Selection

Customers will now conveniently be able to select the United Kingdom flag on the top right corner of the RobotShop website.

RobotShop UK Dedicated Website

This new website allows for optimized logistics for customers including very competitive shipping rates and a large product selection.

Other advantages of this new website is that all prices indicated are in British Sterling Pounds (£) and taxes are included in the prices of the products.

Our website indicates pricing both including and excluding taxes. There are therefore no duties, taxes and/or custom fees charged upon delivery. We handle all orders within 24 hours if all items are in stock.

Ordering From RobotShop UK Website

Starting today, customers in the UK will therefore receive excellent service while we continue working on improving logistics in other parts of the world.

• Email to a friend • Article Search • View comments • Track comments •

RobotShop Feeds

In This Issue...

RobotShop Expands Across The United Kingdom

More Recent Articles

Search RobotShop Blog

RobotShop Expands Across The United Kingdom

RobotShop launched today a new branch of the RobotShop website dedicated to shoppers from the United Kingdom.

RobotShop UK Website Selection

Customers will now conveniently be able to select the United Kingdom flag on the top right corner of the RobotShop website.

RobotShop UK Dedicated Website

This new website allows for optimized logistics for customers including very competitive shipping rates and a large product selection.

Other advantages of this new website is that all prices indicated are in British Sterling Pounds (£) and taxes are included in the prices of the products.

Ordering From RobotShop UK Website

Starting today, customers in the UK will therefore receive excellent service while we continue working on improving logistics in other parts of the world.

• Email to a friend • Article Search • View comments • Track comments •

IEEE Spectrum

Topher White: Repurposing Cellphones to Defend the Rain Forest
Christopher Soghoian: Shining a Light on Government Snooping 
NASA's Super Ball Bot Could Be the Best Design for Planetary Exploration

Topher White: Repurposing Cellphones to Defend the Rain Forest

Posted: 02 Mar 2015 02:00 PM PST

His networks of solar-powered phones can detect the sounds of illegal logging

Christopher Soghoian: Shining a Light on Government Snooping 

Posted: 02 Mar 2015 12:00 PM PST

The ACLU's technologist exposes attacks on privacy by government agencies and corporate collaborators

NASA's Super Ball Bot Could Be the Best Design for Planetary Exploration

Posted: 02 Mar 2015 11:49 AM PST

It's almost certainly not what you picture when you think of a robot, much less a robot that's intended to head into space

News post & update: eleccircuit.com

The Op-amp IC tester circuit

Posted: 01 Mar 2015 10:55 PM PST

This is an simple op-amp IC tester circuit that cheap and easy to build. for test many op-amp ICs fast check. How it works In Figure 1 is the schematic diagram of this tool, that is used to generate the square wave. The working of circuit for the OP-AMP is the tested IC will generate […]

IEEE Spectrum

Silicon Carbide Power Electronics for Making Silicon
Will You Need a New License to Operate a Self-Driving Car?
A Better, Safer Flow Battery

Silicon Carbide Power Electronics for Making Silicon

Posted: 02 Mar 2015 09:00 AM PST

Germans hope to achieve higher efficiencies by switching to silicon carbide in silicon melting process

Will You Need a New License to Operate a Self-Driving Car?

Posted: 02 Mar 2015 07:00 AM PST

Autonomous-vehicle training could include recovering from errors the car makes

A Better, Safer Flow Battery

Posted: 02 Mar 2015 06:00 AM PST

Zinc-polyiodide flow battery packs in twice the energy without using corrosive acids

Techy at day, Blogger at noon, and a Hobbyist at night

Yamaha FINO Service Manual

Posted: 02 Mar 2015 07:10 AM PST

Fino is the classic retro scooter made by Yamaha. With the old school looking headlight and classic speedometer panel plus the side mirror of the past. This fully automatic single cylinder scooter has risen from the expectations of many from the big four Japanese motorcycle brand provider.

And from the MIO line up, modifying this motorcycle is as simple as memorizing the alphabet due to the many available parts all over the country. And when it comes to modification such as engine bore upgrade as well as fitting led and hid lighting accessories. A very handy Service Manual may help you with ease.