Friday, August 25, 2017

Just received production EVIVE - Arduino Mega Based Educational Platform and Starter KIT for Visuino support

Just received my production EVIVE and the Starter KIT for it generously donated for the Visuino development :-)
The EVIVE is Arduino Mega based educational platform with builtin LiPo battery, Color Display, ADC, DACs, RTC, Touch Sensors, Motor Drivers, MicroSD, Buttons, Switches, Potentiometers, and more...
It even has built in small breadboard for  prototyping, and read connectors for Bluetooth HC-05/06, ESP8266 WiFi and XBee.
I already have implemented support for most of the EVIVE functionality in Visuino , and now that I have the latest version of EVIVE, I will see to add the rest of the Visuino support in the next few days.

Here is Unboxing Video:


Here are also some pictures from the EVIVE Controller Box:




And the Starter KIT:





At the moment the only functionality not yet supported in Visuino is the touch sensor, and the RTC. Both will be added soon.

Here is how the current EVIVE support in Visuino looks like:

As you can see most of the functionality is already there, and the rest will be there soon :-)
Cheers,
  Boian

#Visuino #Arduino #EVIVE

Thursday, August 24, 2017

Assemble Kuman Arduino Robot Car KIT SM2 Step 4: Install the Arduino on the Chassis

Last week I received a Cool Arduino Robot Car SM2 KIT from the great folks at Kuman generously donated for the Visuino development :-).

I already posted:

Unboxing video
Step 1: Installing the Motors on the Chassis
Step 2: Installing the Battery Box on the Chassis
Step 3: Installing the Wheels, and the Breadboard Shelf on the Chassis

And here is the 4th assembly video -  Installing the Arduino UNO Board on the Chassis :




I am preparing the rest of the Assembly videos and will post them in the following days.
I am also looking into what is the best way to map the Robot functionality in Visuino .
After that I will try to make some Visuino tutorials for the Robot.

Cheers,
  Boian



#Visuino #Arduino #Kuman

Received 2 great IoT Maduino - Arduino + LoRa Radio modules for Visuino from my friends at Makerfabs!

Couple of days ago, I received another great surprise. 2 Maduino 868/915 MHz LoRa Radio Modules from my good friends at Makerfabs generously donated for the Visuino development:-) .
The modules are small form factor Arduino compatible controllers with RFM95W LoRa on the board, and LiPo Battery support, which makes them perfect for implementing remote sensor or actuator projects, especially in areas that lack any other connectivity infrastructure.
Makerfabs also have 433 MHz RFM98W version of the modules.
Here are some pictures from the modules. As you can see they are, as expected from Makerfabs, of very good quality :

Each module comes with gold plated pin headers, and small antenna:







I am very thankful to my friends from Makerfabs, and I have already added support for them in Visuino . The support will be included in the next Visuino version :-)

#Visuino #Arduino


Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Assemble Kuman Arduino Robot Car KIT SM2 Step 3: Install the Wheels, and the Breadboard Shelf on the Chassis

Last week I received a Cool Arduino Robot Car SM2 KIT from the great folks at Kuman generously donated for the Visuino development :-).

I already posted:

Unboxing video
Step 1: Installing the Motors on the Chassis
Step 2: Installing the Battery Box on the Chassis

And here is the third assembly video -  Installing the Wheels, and the Breadboard Shelf on the Chassis :





I am preparing the rest of the Assembly videos and will post them in the following days.
I am also looking into what is the best way to map the Robot functionality in Visuino .
After that I will try to make some Visuino tutorials for the Robot.

Cheers,
  Boian



#Visuino #Arduino #Kuman

Received Teensy 3.6 donated by Rafal Czachurski for the Visuino development!

Last week I received a Teensy 3.6 generously donated by Rafal Czachurski for the Visuino development :-)
Thank you Rafal for your continuous support!
This should allow me to add and test support for the MicroSD on the module, and I am already working on this :-)








The work on the MicroSD support has started, and I hope to have it available in the next Visuino release, so stay tuned... ;-)

#Visuino #Arduino

Monday, August 21, 2017

Assemble Kuman Arduino Robot Car KIT SM2 Step 2: Install the Battery Box on the Chassis

Last week I received a Cool Arduino Robot Car SM2 KIT from the great folks at Kuman generously donated for the Visuino development :-).

I already posted:

Unboxing video
Step 1: Installing the Motors on the Chassis

And here is the second assembly video -  Installing the Battery Box on the Chassis :




I am preparing the rest of the Assembly videos and will post them in the following days.
I am also looking into what is the best way to map the Robot functionality in Visuino .
After that I will try to make some Visuino tutorials for the Robot.

Cheers,
  Boian

#Visuino #Arduino #Kuman

Saturday, August 19, 2017

Just received a new beautiful Smart Car Arduino Robot KIT Version 3.0 from Elegoo for the Visuino development!

Few months ago, the great folks at Elegoo sent me one of their great Arduino Robot Kit Version 1.0.
I already posted Assembly Instructions, and some tutorials on programming it.
Couple of month later, they introduced improved Smart Car Arduino Robot KIT Version 2.0 , and also sent me one :-). I posted Assembly Instructions for it too :-). I also mapped the Shield in Visuino , and started work on tutorials.
Elegoo did not stop there however, and yesterday I received the Latest Version 3 Arduino Robot Kit donated for the Visuino development!
This is really much nicer version of the Robot.

My first impression is that the set is of very high quality! Also includes all the necessary tools for the assembly - 2 Slamm Philips type Screwdrivers, and a Hexagonal tool for some of the bolts.

There are a lot of improvements in this version! Here are the main ones:

  • The Line Following sensors now are on a single board, and connect with a single cable to the Sensor Shield
  • The Infrared Receiver is mounted directly on the Sensor Shield
  • There are now spacers included in the KIT allowing the boards to be properly separated from the chassis when mounted
  • The Ultrasonic Ranger mount has built in spacers, and can be mounted directly on the servo without the need of a seat
  • The battery box has pre soldered connector, and connects directly to the sensor shield. The Arduino is powered from the shield reducing considerably the cable clutter
  • It comes with newer version Bluetooth Module, with connector that makes it impossible to connect wrong way the module
  • The Motor Mounts have threads on both sides, so it is not possible to install them the wrong way. Now they are fully symmetric and will work no matter how you orient them during the installation
  • The Wheels have screws to secure them in place not relying purely on friction to hold them

There are other small improvements too, including a nicer battery charger for example.

Here is the Unboxing Video:

Here are also some pictures from the KIT:

The components are well packet and organized in the 2 layers of the box:


Comes in nice box with handle, and well packed components:

I have already recorded Assembly Videos, and editing them. I plan to post them soon. I am also working to test the robot, and map the Shield in Visuino , and after that I will make some tutorials with it.

Once again, many thanks to the great people at Elegoo for making such a great Robot and donating one for Visuino ! :-)

#Elegoo #Visuino #Arduino #Robot



Friday, August 18, 2017

Assemble Kuman Arduino Robot Car KIT SM2 Step 1: Install the Motors on the Chassis

Last week I received a Cool Arduino Robot Car SM2 KIT from the great folks at Kuman generously donated for the Visuino development :-).

I already posted Unboxing video couple of days ago.

And here is the first assembly video: Installing the Motors on the Chassis :




I am preparing the rest of the Assembly videos and will post them in the following days.
I am also looking into what is the best way to map the Robot functionality in Visuino .
After that I will try to make some Visuino tutorials for the Robot.

Cheers,
  Boian

#Visuino #Arduino #Kuman

Thursday, August 17, 2017

Pictures from the TOOLBOX LA: Toytech: Innovations & Challenges W/ Mattel, Microduino, Blake Noh, & Sphero" Hub101 event last week

Last week I was at the "TOOLBOX LA: Toytech: Innovations & Challenges W/ Mattel, Microduino, Blake Noh, & Sphero" event hosted by Hub101.

It was quite a busy week, but I finally had a chance to post some of the pictures from the event. I brought as usual some of my robots with me, and after the event I was showing them and Visuino to few people including Bing Jiang from Rolling Robots, and Bridgeman Carney from Microduino.

They were video recording the event the so Melody took pictures only of me at the end of the event.
Here are some of the pictures:

  
  
  
 

  

It was a great event, with good speakers, and I they were recording video during the event, but it does not appear to have been posted yet :-( . If I find it, I will post link here.

Looking forward to more fun Hub101 events in the future, and to meet Bing Jiang, and Bridgeman Carney again :-)

Cheers,
  Boian

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Assemble Elegoo Arduino Smart Car Robot KIT 2.0 Step 16: Installing the HC-06 Bluetooth Module

Few months ago the great folks at Elegoo sent me a beautiful Robot Kit Version 1.0.
I already posted Assembly Instructions, and some tutorials on programming it.
Since then Elegoo introduced a newer and simpler to assemble 2.0 version, and the Elegoo folks sent me this really beautiful Smart Car Robot KIT Version 2.0 donated for the Visuino development.

I already posted:

Unboxing video
Step 1: Assembling the Motors.
Step 2: Installing the Motors on the Chassis
Step 3: Installing the Motor Driver Board
Step 4: Installing the Line Following Sensors
Step 5: Installing the Arduino Board and the Sensors Shield
Step 6: Installing  the Infrared Remote Receiver Module

Step 7: Installing the Battery Box on the Chassis
Step 8: Installing the Servo turning the Ultrasonic Ranger
Step 9: Assemble the Ultrasonic Ranger
Step 10: Installing the Ultrasonic Ranger on the Servo
Step 11: Installing the Standoffs/Spacers on the Chassis
Step 12: Start Connecting The Cables between the sensors, and the boards
Step 13: Join the 2 layers of the Chassis together, and connect the rest of the cables
Step 14: Installing the Wheels
Step 15: Installing the Batteries

Here is the 16th Assembly Video - Installing the HC-06 Bluetooth Module:





This is the last Assembly video. I have also already mapped the Robot's Shield functionality in Visuino, and I have done few projects with it :-) .

Last week I also showed it to few people at the "TOOLBOX LA: Toytech: Innovations & Challenges W/ Mattel, Microduino, Blake Noh, & Sphero" event hosted by Hub101:


Hope to post video tutorials on programming the Robot with Visuino soon.

Cheers,
  Boian

#Visuino #Arduino #Elegoo

Received 2 Heart Rate measurement Modules from ICStation for the Visuino development, and already tested one :-)

Last week I received these 2 Heart Rate measurement Modules - ICSG007 and MAX30100 Heart Rate and Oximeter sensor from ICStation for the Visuino development:





I already soldered the modules. However, I soldered the ICSG007 not the best possible way, and will change the header soon. For now I used 2 additional wires with the current L header so I can test. I already did the first test project:


You can see that the sensor picks the pulse quite nicely :-) . Next, I will be testing the MAX30100 Heart Rate and Oximeter sensor , and then will start working on filters, and pulse detector components, so I can make complete projects. My plan is to use the modules with a SparkFun nRF52832 Breakout controller so I can implement Bluetooth LE Heart Rate Monitor, and connect to it from Smartphone App over BLE :-)
I plan to post the complete project once done, so stay tuned ;-)

Cheers,
  Boian

#Visuino #Arduino

Sunday, August 13, 2017

Assemble Elegoo Arduino Smart Car Robot KIT 2.0 Step 15: Installing the Batteries

Few months ago the great folks at Elegoo sent me a beautiful Robot Kit Version 1.0.
I already posted Assembly Instructions, and some tutorials on programming it.
Since then Elegoo introduced a newer and simpler to assemble 2.0 version, and the Elegoo folks just sent me this really beautiful Smart Car Robot KIT Version 2.0 donated for the Visuino development.

I already posted:

Unboxing video
Step 1: Assembling the Motors.
Step 2: Installing the Motors on the Chassis
Step 3: Installing the Motor Driver Board
Step 4: Installing the Line Following Sensors
Step 5: Installing the Arduino Board and the Sensors Shield
Step 6: Installing  the Infrared Remote Receiver Module

Step 7: Installing the Battery Box on the Chassis
Step 8: Installing the Servo turning the Ultrasonic Ranger
Step 9: Assemble the Ultrasonic Ranger
Step 10: Installing the Ultrasonic Ranger on the Servo
Step 11: Installing the Standoffs/Spacers on the Chassis
Step 12: Start Connecting The Cables between the sensors, and the boards
Step 13: Join the 2 layers of the Chassis together, and connect the rest of the cables
Step 14: Installing the Wheels


Here is the 15th Assembly Video - Installing the Batteries:




The is the last Assembly video. I will post one more video on installing the HC-06 Bluetooth Module in the next few days. I have also already mapped the Robot's Shield functionality in Visuino, and I have done few projects with it :-) . Hope to post video tutorials on them too.

Cheers,
  Boian

#Visuino #Arduino #Elegoo

Saturday, August 12, 2017

Just received another cool SM2 Arduino Robot KIT from Kuman for the Visuino development, and posted Unboxing video :-)

This week I received another Cool Arduino Robot SM2 KIT from Kuman donated for the Visuino development :-).
This is actually quite nice flexible kit for robot experiments. It has fair number of built in sensors, that can easily be connected in different ways to the Arduino, the Ultrasonic ranger can be installed directly on the chassis, or on top of easily detachable Servo, and there is on board breadboard area. It looks like a perfect platform for experimenting with variety of sensors on the breadboard area. Since the Arduino board is easily detachable, it should be easy to upgrade the board to Mega of other more powerful Arduino, or even install and use Teensy, ESP8266 or ESP32 in the breadboard area.
I will be posting assembly instructions soon, but here is a short unboxing video, and some picture from the parts :-)
This is a stock photo of how the assembled robot looks like:

Here is a picture of the unboxed parts:


And here is the unboxing video:

I hope you have enjoyed the video :-).
Looking forward to assemble it and start programming it with Visuino :-) .

Cheers,
  Boian

#Visuino #Arduino #Kuman #Robot

Thursday, August 10, 2017

Received DFRobot MP3 Player Mini module donated by Rafal Czachurski for the Visuino development, and already added support for it!

Last week I received this cool DFRobot MP3 Player Mini module generously donated by Rafal Czachurski for the Visuino development :-)



Since then I even had a chance to add support for it in Visuino :-) :

And Rafal Czachurski even made a video with one of the earlier versions of the component:


Thank you Rafal!

#Visuino #Arduino

Tuesday, August 08, 2017

All the chipKIT modules I received from Microchip are now fully supported in Visuino, including the Basic I/O Shield and its Display :-)

Recently I received a full set of chipKIT modules for the chipKIT support in Visuino, thanks to Guy McCarthy.
After couple of weeks the rork on the modules is completed, and all of them are fully supported by Visuino:-). I have added even a full support for the controllers, and the Basic I/O Shield including its OLED Display, and here is a video of it programmed with Visuino:

Here is how I wired it in Visuino:



Here is also the Visuino project:
http://www.mitov.com/chipKIT_Shield_Thermometer.zip

Here are also pictures from the modules that I used.



Now planning to post tutorials on using the modules, and programming them with Visuino.
Also, hope that I will be able to add support for more modules in the near future :-)

#Visuino #Arduino #chipKIT