Once you’ve built your 2020 Bot and played around with it a bit, the next step is writing your own programs. The 2020 Bot uses an Arduino Nano micro controller. A simple web search will turn up plenty of references. Here’s a good link to get you started:
Official Nano Getting Started guide from Arduino: https://www.arduino.cc/en/Guide/ArduinoNano
Here is a hookup diagram and a wiring checklist to go along with the 2020 Bot video instructions. The diagram has a couple breadboard locations that are different than what are called out in the video and checklist, but they are functionally equivalent.
Click on each image to download PDF versions:
This probably qualifies as my first real robot. Still works after 20+ years.
I built it as part of the final project in my grad school Artificial Intelligence course. The professor made sure I understood the project was a software project, and not to get hung up on the hardware side (fortunately, being an electrical engineer in a comp-sci class made that a little easier).
Here’s my final report, along with all the typos intact…
http://www.robojay.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/jfrancis_robot_1993.pdf
Here are examples of Remote Control and Autonomous modes of the Demo program in the 2020 Bot Library.
Remote Control:
Autonomous:
What do you do with some scooter chair motors, big casters, and a sheet of MDF? Make a radio controlled Yard Bot of course!
I’ve had the various pieces for this project kicking around for a while. Finally took the time to put them all together. Just something to play around with…
I will be giving build demos of the 2020 Bot at Maker Faire!
http://makerfaire.com/bay-area/
http://makerfaire.com/maker/entry/60008/
At least once an hour, I’ll pick a volunteer from the attendees to build a 2020 Bot. The lucky volunteer will get to keep the robot after they build it! The catch is, they need to hang out at my booth for the 20 minutes it takes to build the robot…
The 2020 Bot project is really starting to develop, and it will eventually have a dedicated site. For now, I’ve added a 2020 Bot Resources menu to the blog. You’ll definitely want to check out my project posts along with the resources.
I’ve been using the 3.0 version Arduino Nano on the 2020 Bot, which replaces usual FTDI USB to Serial converter with the less expensive CH340G.
Very rough video instructions are now available on my YouTube channel.