Ok great. Sorry I also have a few questions about the DiddyBorg:
We are working on a project where we want to add something on top of the robot car, what is the maximum weight the DiddyBorg can hold? What about the MonsterBorg?
Also, we want to add some automation to the robot car by using the front camera (is it the Pi camera?) and sensors to detect obstacles and such, is it possible to do so?
DiddyBorg v2 and MonsterBorg have both been tested up to 5 Kg of extra weight on top without seeing an obvious slow down. Both could cope with more, but will likely slow down movement beyond that and is not something we have tested.
The camera mount in both kits is designed for the Pi camera. The camera works well and real-time image processing is possible when paired with a Raspberry Pi: https://www.formulapi.com/ (This used a Pi 3 and fairly basic image processing code).
As you are planning on adding more bits I would recommend the DiddyBorg as long as speed is not a big issue (MonsterBorg is faster):
There are more mounting points on DiddyBorg for sensors
The flat top on DiddyBorg allows for adding components which overhang the wheels
There is room inside the standard chassis to fit additional wiring and components
MonsterBorg can become unstable when turning if you build too tall, DiddyBorg is very stable
Hi There,
I just placed an order for the DiddyBorg v2 (order #263098) but i just realized that we would need backup motors if some of them fail. Which motor do i need to purchase? Do I need a backup Thunderborg control board as well or that thing is pretty reliable? Could you also add these new items to my order? Thanks.
The ThunderBorg itself is very reliable, you shouldn't need a spare :)
The easiest thing to do would be to place a second order for the extra parts. We will then refund the second shipping charge and send both orders to you as a single shipment.
The 5V regulator on the ThunderBorg is not powerful enough to power both the MeArm servos and the Raspberry Pi at the same time. You will want a separate 5V regulator to power just the MeArm servos. We used a BattBorg, but a 5V UBEC would work well for this.
If you are able to control the servos directly from the Raspberry Pi GPIO then the UltraBorg would not be needed. Most servos work with 5V logic levels so you might not get reliable behaviour from the 3.3V levels used by the Pi's GPIO pins.
piborg
Thu, 05/19/2022 - 11:02
Permalink
Robot kits are in stock :)
Yes, we have the DiddyBorg v2, DiddyBorg v2 Red Edition and MonsterBorg robot kits all in stock :)
Shipping to Canada typically takes 6 working days for robot kits (just over a week).
newUserRobot123
Thu, 05/19/2022 - 21:14
Permalink
Some questions
Ok great. Sorry I also have a few questions about the DiddyBorg:
We are working on a project where we want to add something on top of the robot car, what is the maximum weight the DiddyBorg can hold? What about the MonsterBorg?
Also, we want to add some automation to the robot car by using the front camera (is it the Pi camera?) and sensors to detect obstacles and such, is it possible to do so?
Thanks,
Thomas
piborg
Fri, 05/20/2022 - 11:28
Permalink
Adding more weight
DiddyBorg v2 and MonsterBorg have both been tested up to 5 Kg of extra weight on top without seeing an obvious slow down. Both could cope with more, but will likely slow down movement beyond that and is not something we have tested.
The camera mount in both kits is designed for the Pi camera. The camera works well and real-time image processing is possible when paired with a Raspberry Pi: https://www.formulapi.com/ (This used a Pi 3 and fairly basic image processing code).
As you are planning on adding more bits I would recommend the DiddyBorg as long as speed is not a big issue (MonsterBorg is faster):
newUserRobot123
Sat, 05/21/2022 - 22:44
Permalink
Thank you so much for the
Thank you so much for the reply. We will review our options and hopefully place the order soon.
newUserRobot123
Wed, 06/01/2022 - 23:06
Permalink
Hi There,
Hi There,
I just placed an order for the DiddyBorg v2 (order #263098) but i just realized that we would need backup motors if some of them fail. Which motor do i need to purchase? Do I need a backup Thunderborg control board as well or that thing is pretty reliable? Could you also add these new items to my order? Thanks.
Best,
Thomas
piborg
Thu, 06/02/2022 - 10:35
Permalink
Spare motors
No problem, I have put your order on hold.
The motors that come with the kit are PiBorg Motor 12V 590RPM - 28mm. There are a total of 6 motors in the kit.
The ThunderBorg itself is very reliable, you shouldn't need a spare :)
The easiest thing to do would be to place a second order for the extra parts. We will then refund the second shipping charge and send both orders to you as a single shipment.
newUserRobot123
Mon, 06/06/2022 - 20:15
Permalink
great. thanks. i will place
great. thanks. i will place another order for this extra motors.
newUserRobot123
Mon, 06/06/2022 - 20:19
Permalink
sorry for the late reply.
sorry for the late reply. Order ID #263100 just placed 3 extra motors. thanks for the help.
piborg
Tue, 06/07/2022 - 21:28
Permalink
All sorted
The orders have been packed together are are due to be collected by the courier tomorrow :)
The second shipping charge has been refunded via PayPal.
newUserRobot123
Wed, 06/08/2022 - 01:26
Permalink
perfect. thanks!
perfect. thanks!
newUserRobot123
Tue, 06/21/2022 - 23:37
Permalink
MeArm support?
Hi there,
we got the shipment! still in the assembling process.
another question:
can the MeArm be powered by the thunderborg? or extra PCB power supply board is needed like battborg?
Also, in case we want to control the MeArm using raspberry pi, the UltraBorg is no longer needed, right?
https://www.piborg.org/power-1137/battborg
https://www.piborg.org/blog/diddyborg-v2-examples-mearm-claw
Thanks,
Thomas
piborg
Wed, 06/22/2022 - 10:54
Permalink
MeArm support
The 5V regulator on the ThunderBorg is not powerful enough to power both the MeArm servos and the Raspberry Pi at the same time. You will want a separate 5V regulator to power just the MeArm servos. We used a BattBorg, but a 5V UBEC would work well for this.
If you are able to control the servos directly from the Raspberry Pi GPIO then the UltraBorg would not be needed. Most servos work with 5V logic levels so you might not get reliable behaviour from the 3.3V levels used by the Pi's GPIO pins.
newUserRobot123
Wed, 06/22/2022 - 14:29
Permalink
Ok, that makes sense. thank
Ok, that makes sense. thank you.