To Your Basket Ordering Information Part Number: R141-PPRK-BS-2 Price: $325.00 Weight: 3.00 lbs Acroname developed the PPRK for the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Institute with the intent of making a robot kit that was easy to use and easy to program. This kit has a unique holonomic drive system and uses the powerful BrainStem GP 1.0 module for easy control. Works well with WinCE, Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux plaforms. A great starter robot.

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The BrainStem PPRK autonomous robot is simple enough to be assembled with a small phillips and a small flathead screwdriver, yet contains a powerful BrainStem controller, multiple IR sensors and omnidirectional movement to take on a variety of robotic tasks.

With the BrainStem PPRK, you can easily interface with a Windows or Mac as well as many WinCE devices. The BrainStem has the ability to store programs, meaning you can load a program from Windows, Mac, or WinCE and then disconnect the interface cable from the BrainStem and let the robot do its thing.

The BrainStem controller uses a programming language called TEA, which is syntactically very similar to Java and C. While the BrainStem PPRK is fairly easy to use, we do recommend that you read the Getting Started Guides so you have a better understanding of what is involved in using a BrainStem. You can also download the PDF version of the instruction manual to get a better idea about the kit and how to use it.

Various software programs can be downloaded from our download section. The introductory TEA programs give your BrainStem PPRK the ability to hug a wall as well as chase and run away. These TEA programs are downloaded to the BrainStem and are run using the console program.

The PPRK Kit includes the following components:

The use of Polyurethane Omni-wheels offers improved traction in all directions. We've also added a NiMH 9v battery to power the BrainStem and IR rangers, while using 4-AA NiMH batteries for servo power. The kit further includes a battery charger. Additional cells can be purchased for backup power or for use in other devices requiring AA batteries. The charger also can be used to charge the 9V battery and AAA NiMH batteries.

PLEASE NOTE: Since the PPRK can be used on many platforms, we offer the interface cables separately. To use the kit, you will require one of the following interface options to connect the BrainStem to your PC or handheld.

• BrainStem Serial Interface Assembly
• USB Serial Interface Assembly

Information about interfacing your WinCE device to the BrainStem can be found here.

This product or portions thereof is manufactured under license agreement from Carnegie Mellon University. Copyright Carnegie Mellon University, 2000. All rights reserved.

Related Links:

Hacking a Palm 16-pin Universal Cable

Holonomic Motion Control of a PPRK using the BrainStem Controller

PPRK Overview

PPRK Assembly Steps and Guide

Deluxe Brainstem PPRK Overview

Cabling Options for a WinCE - BrainStem Interface

Brainstem in Use: University of Nebraska Robotics Research

Brainstem in Use: Challenges, Choices and Images Literacy and Technology Charter School

Brainstem in Use: Towson University Cognitive Agency and Robotics Lab (CARoL)

PPRK Frequently Asked Questions

Palm Pilot Robot Handspring Visor Support

PPRK Assembly Instructions: Table of Contents

PPRK Pre-Assembly: Part 1

PPRK Upgrade Instructions for Adding a BrainStem Controller

PPRK Archive and Useful Links

PPRK News and History

PPRK Purchasing Details

Ideas: Attaching a Servo Horn to the Omni Wheel

Ideas: Alternate Deck Fasteners for the PPRK

PPRK Component Part List

Examples:

Nod Robot Example

Multitasking PPRK Wall-Hug Example

PPRK Navigation for Trinity Contest Example

Programming a PPRK to Chase a Ball Example