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Eddie Robot Platform
(Assembled: #28990; Unassembled: #28992)
Eddie is a turnkey hardware solution to create a mobile robot with
your own laptop and Kinect camera — a perfect platform to foster
creativity, innovation, and experimentation.
Once fully assembled, simply connect your own laptop and Kinect
camera (not included) over USB and Eddie is up roaming the house in
minutes. Compatible with Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio 4 (RDS
4), Eddie can navigate autonomously and see in 3D using the power
of the Microsoft Kinect camera.
The Eddie Control Board uses the Propeller
TM
multicore microcontroller
to directly control two high-torque 12 V motors and collect data from
multiple sensors mounted on the robot. Eddie is controlled over a
simple USB connection and a convenient command interface.
Features
Compatible with Microsoft Robotics
Developer Studio 4 (RDS4)
Dual-platform design with plenty of room
for electronics and on-the-go
programming laptop access
Two drive wheels with high-torque
12 VDC motors and position controllers
Front and rear dual-tire caster wheels for
platform stability
Durable pneumatic rubber tires easily
traverse hard floors and carpet
Five distance sensors (three infrared and
two ultrasonic) for collision avoidance
Fully integrated control board handles all
lower-level hardware operations to drive
motors and collect sensor data
Simple USB connectivity between control
board and your laptop
12 V, 14.4Ah gel-cell batteries for 4–7
hours of continuous operation
Built-in charging jack (charger included)
Key Specifications
Communication Interface: Serial
commands over USB interface
Operating temperature: 32 to 158 °F
(0 to 70 °C)
Dimensions: 21.75” (55.25 cm) high
17.8” (45.2 cm) diameter, assembled
Weight: 25.3 lbs (11.5 kg), excluding
laptop and Kinect camera
Application Ideas
Autonomous navigation and mapping
Development and testing of machine
vision systems
Tele-presence robots
Voice-activated personal assistant robots
Security and surveillance robots
Crowd interaction and advertising
Additional Items Required
Laptop Computer
Kinect Camera
Philips (cross-head) screwdriver
Scissors
5/32” Allen wrench
Microsoft RDS software
Copyright © Parallax Inc.
Eddie Robot Platform (#28990 & #28992)
v1.2 11/10/2011 Page 1 of 16
Precautions
After switching main board power off, wait at least 5 seconds before switching power back on.
Rapid and repetitive power cycling of the board and motor power supplies causes significant
stress on electronic components and may damage the board and/or connected electronic
accessories.
Use caution when handling the drive motors or Control Board as some components may
become hot after prolonged operation.
As in most electronic devices, Eddie contains components which are sensitive to static
discharge. Exercise proper grounding practices prior to touching or working on the robot.
Assembly Instructions
Note: For pre-assembled Eddie (28992), go to Step 10
Step 1:
Pre-assemble the Motor Mount and Wheel Kit and the Caster Wheel Kits, by following the
instructions that came with each of those products. Set them aside for now.
Step 2:
After you have completed the assembly of the Motor Mount and Wheel Kit and the Caster Wheel
Kits, carefully unpack the remaining components and sort them into their respective groups. You should
have the following:
Bill of Materials
Part #
28994
28971
765-28977
765-28990
700-00235
721-00013
452-00072
800-28990
713-00049
713-00050
721-00014
765-00003
752-00007
28015
28995
550-28990
805-00002
805-28995
725-28995
725-32008
710-00033
710-00035
713-00005
713-00019
713-00015
700-00240
Quantity
1
2
1
1
1
2
4
1
4
2
1
1
2
2
3
1
2
3
3
2
10
24
6
6
4
1
Description
Eddie Motor Mount and Wheel Kit w/ Position Controller
Caster Wheel Kit
Robot Base
Eddie Second Deck
Eddie Wiring Harness
Kinect Mounting Cam Hook
Eddie Kinect Cable Clip
Eddie Kinect Power Cable
Standoff, 5”, ½” Diameter
Standoff, 12”, ½” Diameter
Eddie Laptop Screen Clamp
Eddie Battery Shelf
Battery, 12 V, 7.2 Ah, SLA
Ping)))
TM
Ultrasonic Distance Sensor
Sharp 2Y0A21YK0F Distance Sensor
Eddie Control Board
Servo-extension Cable, 14” Length
Sharp IR Sensor to Servo Cable
Sharp IR Stand Acrylic
Ping))) Stand Acrylic
Screw, Cap, SKT, 6-32x1/2”
4-40 x 5/8” black pan head screw
Spacer, nylon, #4, ¼” thick
Spacer, nylon, #4, 1/8” thick
Spacer, nylon, #4, 1/16” thick
Eddie Battery Charger
Copyright © Parallax Inc.
Eddie Robot Platform (#28990 & #28992)
v1.2 11/10/2011 Page 2 of 16
Part #
806-00001
700-00028
700-00083
710-00024
710-00032
710-00034
721-00012
710-00040
710-00100
710-00105
710-00106
712-00008
713-00001
713-00022
725-00021
Quantity
1” x 10”
4
4
4
6
4
1
4
2
10
2
2
6
4
1
Description
Snap Velcro
Screw, Pan Head, Zinc, Phillips, 4-40 x 1/4”
4-40 x ½”, F/F Hex Standoff
Screw, Button Head SS, ¼”x20 x ½”
Screw, Cap, SS, #6-32 x 3/8”
Screw, Flat Head, Black ¼-20 x 5/8”
Eddie Kinect Platform
Screw, Pan Head, Black 4-40 x ½”
Screw, Pan Head, Black 4-40 x 1/4”
Screw, Button Head, ¼-20 x 5/8”
Screw, Button Head, Blk, ¼-20 x ¾”
Washer, ½” dia, .060 Delrin
Standoff, 4-40 x 5/8” F/F Round
Standoff, 4-40 x 1.5” F/F Hex
Ball-End Hex Key 7/64”
Step 3: Ping))) and IR Sensor Module assembly
Figure 3a shows the components for each sensor assembly. You will need a small Phillips screwdriver to
assemble each sensor module.
Figure 3a
Copyright © Parallax Inc.
Eddie Robot Platform (#28990 & #28992)
v1.2 11/10/2011 Page 3 of 16
Each Ping))) assembly consists of:
(1)
(1)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(1)
Ping))) sensor (#28015)
Cable, servo extension (#805-00002)
4-40 x 5/8” black machine screws (#700-00028)
1/16” thick nylon spacers (#713-00015)
¼” thick nylon spacers (#713-00005)
Acrylic Ping))) stand (#725-32008)
(1)
(1)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(1)
Each IR sensor assembly consists of:
IR sensor (#28995)
IR Sensor to servo cable (#805-28995)
4-40 x 5/8” blk mach. screws (#710-00035)
1/8” thick nylon spacers (#713-00013)
¼” thick nylon spacers (#713-00005)
Acrylic IR Stand (#725-28995)
Refer to Figure 3b, and note the different locations of the spacers on each assembly. In each case, make
sure the label-etched sides of the Stands are on the opposite side from the sensor assemblies.
For the IR module, insert two 5/8” long, black machine screws through the mounting holes from the
backside of the module. Place (1) of the 1/8” long spacers and (1) of the ¼” long spacers on each of the
machine screws (as shown in Figure 3b). Carefully align this assembly onto the backside of the acrylic IR
stand, and gently tighten each of the machine screws until they’re snug. Nuts are not required. The
machine screws will cut their own threads as you screw them into the acrylic. Do not over tighten.
Assemble the Ping))) module by sliding a 1/16” thick nylon spacer onto each of the two 5/8” long, black
machine screws. Insert these screws (with the 1/16” washers) through the Ping))) sensor’s PCB
mounting holes. Place two ¼” long spacers onto the screws, and align the screws to the self-tapping
mounting holes on the acrylic stand. The screws will cut their own threads. Screw them all the way in,
but do not over-tighten.
Figure 3b
You should now have assemblies that look like those shown in Figure 3c. Repeat these steps for the
remaining Ping))) sensor and IR sensor assemblies.
Copyright © Parallax Inc.
Eddie Robot Platform (#28990 & #28992)
v1.2 11/10/2011 Page 4 of 16
Figure 3c
Connect the appropriate cables to each of the sensors. Be sure to observe proper polarity on the Ping)))
sensor cables, as shown in Figure 3c. The IR cables are polarized. Line up the tab on the cable, and
insert it into the receptacle. Be sure to fully insert them – they should “click” into place.
Set these assemblies aside for now.
Step 4: Battery Shelf Preparation
As shown in Figure 4a, the Battery Shelf components consist of a Delrin shelf, (6) 1/2” tall, round
aluminum standoffs, and (6) 4-40 x 5/8” screws.
Figure 4a
Copyright © Parallax Inc.
Eddie Robot Platform (#28990 & #28992)
v1.2 11/10/2011 Page 5 of 16
