Is there any electronics I can buy that I can program easily?
Basically I was wondering if there are any inexpensive electronic 'robots', LED displays, etc. that I can plug into my computer via USB (or anything else) that I can program easily using C++.
I just want to start learning how to develop software for basic robots, and program LED displays without building my own and risk damaging my computer ports.
Anything I can buy in Radioshack, Best Buy, Circuit City, all the electronic stores basically? Online stores will work as well.
Just… something I can program to move, display lights, etc.
Tagged with: best buy • circuit city • computer ports • electronic stores • radioshack • robots
Filed under: Electronic Circuit Software
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There are many toy robots on the market, but very few are really "programmable": they have their own program and you do not have access to it!
Nevertheless, you MAY find a robot that is supplied with its full schematics (or a manufacturer that will give you the schematics).
Most of them will be centered on a micro, like Atmel 89C51 series, and these are easilly programmed… in assembler. (C++ Compilers exist, but the code they generate is 4-8 times BIGGER than in ASM.
To program the chip (ie Atmel), you will need a small programmer/emulator that connects to your PC (around 100$).
Try:
http://www.active-robots.com/products/robots/
http://www.hobbyengineering.com/SectionRK.html
http://www.superdroidrobots.com/
or google "kits robots programmable"