Introducing the Pololu 3pi Robot

[TommyUB]

I just bought one of these, is that just that electrical tape I would have to use?

[BenPololu]

@TommyUB The electrical tape on the underside is used to cover the boost regulation circuit. Without it, touching certain parts of that circuit with your finger, as can happen when you press the power or reset button, can change the boost voltage to levels that exceed the maximum ratings for certain parts on the board. It helps keep the board safe and we don't recommend you remove it.

[eagle16k9]

Have the microcontroller a bootloader?

[BenPololu]

@eagle16k9 No, the microcontroller must be programmed via an external ISP programmer. You could always load your own bootloader onto the MCU, however, as you have direct access to the on-board ATmega328P.

[karandex]

how much of 3pi circuitry in on its body

I am considering to convert it to a bigger robot.

[BenPololu]

The PCB that contains all of the electronics doubles as the 3pi's chassis. The LCD is removable and connected to the PCB by a set of header pins, and the motors and battery holders are soldered directly to the PCB.

[Darrengb]

Is this similar to the ikea automation ?

Love this project

[richardalarcon81]

Great project!! I would like to know what kind of H-bridge did you use in the 3pi robot.

thanks

[BenPololu]

The 3pi uses a Toshiba TB6612FNG dual motor driver IC. You can find more information by looking at the web page for Pololu product #713, a simple carrier board for the TB6612.

[hoboKING86]

hey for the robot that you used in this video, can i ask which gear motor did you used and the motor's gear ratio?

[BenPololu]

The robot uses two Pololu 30:1 micro metal gearmotors (standard, not HP).

[forslind94]

hello im living in sweden and can i bye a Pololu 3pi Robot here?

[BenPololu]

Pololu ships to countries all over the world, including Sweden. We also have several Swedish distributors, at least one of which sells the 3pi robot (Lawicel).

[kartikonugroho]

can it run on different line thickness?

[BenPololu]

It can easily run on thicker lines if you program it to use the outer sensors or to follow the edge of the line. The inner three sensors are spaced every 3/8", so it might lose lines thinner than this if the line is between adjacent sensors. You would need to use clever code to follow lines that are thinner than the sensor spacing.

[Jarhead020]

nice. very interesting

[palauskas]

wow Iwanna get 3pi 4 cristmas