Introducing the Pololu 3pi Robot

http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/975

The Pololu 3pi Robot is a complete, high performance, mobile platform. It excels at line following and maze solving.

3pi Robot Features:

- ATmega328 microcontroller programmable in C and C++ on Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systems (Mac support is limited)

- Works with several free programming environments such as AVR Studio, WinAVR, and Arduino-0011

- Five infrared reflectance line sensors

- A unique power system that runs the motors at a constant 9.25 Volts even as batteries run down

- Top speed of 1 m/s

- Pololu AVR C/C++ Library to interface with the various components of the 3pi:
http://www.pololu.com/docs/0J20

You can get started with programming the 3pi by using the sample line-following and maze-solving

programs here:
http://www.pololu.com/docs/0J21

You can order the 3pi at:
http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/975

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• pololu
• 3pi
• robot
• line
• following
• maze
• solving
• programming
• orangutan
• avr
• atmega168
• atmega328
• atmega328p
• arduino

[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

[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.

[richardalarcon81]

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

thanks

[BenPololu]

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