I Want a Slice of Pi

After my initial research into the Pi and its uses earlier this week, I had a meeting with my supervisor. He thinks I should definitely pursue my interest in a robot build, but stick with the Pi. So here's my loose project title idea:

'Is it Possible to Use a Raspberry Pi to Program a Robot?'

I know, I know, seems a bit....nnnnh.

I realise that the question seems very obvious at this point. I know it is possible to program a robot with a Raspberry Pi. When designed, I assume that was one of the potential uses the creators has envisioned.

But, more importantly, my EPQ is carried out by me, myself and I. My title really means, 'Is it Possible for Me to Use a Raspberry Pi to Program a Robot?' Because this will be my introduction into robotics; I am an ABSOLUTE NOVICE. I have no experience with circuit boards, programming, robots, electronics - zilch.

Also worth noting, my initial title will not be my final project title. It is normally common for students to tweak and refine their titles as they delve deeper into their topic and decide to follow a specific tangent or specify in a certain area. I will most likely being specifying what purpose I want my robot to have.

My supervisor was brainstorming and suggested a robot that guided a blind person around their home. I'm not sure at this point whether this would be using colour/touch sensors, or by programming certain patterns of movement. Regardless, this did raise the question: what will I be programming my robot to do? I'd rather it have a useful application than it just be moving around an obstacle course, although that would be great fun designing and testing!

To conclude all these ideas and thoughts, I need to buy myself a Raspberry Pi (still deciding on whether Model A or B!) and familiarise myself with how it works, how to connect it to other devices and then start learning some code. I think the code most commonly used with the Pi is called Python but I need to get a hang of the jargon on the forums first!

I'll update this when I purchase my Pi. I'm so excited!

LED Matrix Display by adafruit.com programmed with Pi.

Sites used: http://www.raspberrypi.org/, http://www.adafruit.com/products/420

Introducing the Raspberry Pi

My supervisor is aware of my interest in robotics, and has introduced me to the idea of programming. To do this, I could use a piece of hardware called a Raspberry Pi.

This beautiful little piece of technology is a, according to Wikipedia, "credit-card sized single-board computer". A single-board computer, or SBC, is a complete computer, but built on a single circuit board. It can plug into your TV, or keyboard, as it has USB ports, and is capable of many of the task your normal desktop computer can do, such as run spreadsheets, games and play HD video. It is obviously considerably cheaper, smaller and lighter than a desktop computer, and was designed with the aim of encouraging children to get interested in computer programming.

But don't be fooled by it's original purpose; the Pi has delighted a wide range of adults, including a number of  brilliant robot hobbyists with far too much free time, who have used the Pi to achieve some incredible things.

I found a few awesome uses:

1. the MoccaPi - a coffee machine controlled by a Raspberry Pi

2. a quadcopter - programmed by a Raspberry Pi

3. an LED Matrix - sequences and sound programmed by a Raspberry Pi

and these are but a few of the fantastical ideas conjured up by the Pi's fanbase.

Sites used: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raspberry_Pi
                 http://www.raspberrypi.org/about
                 10 coolest uses of RPi
                 http://moccapi.blogspot.com
                 http://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/3364
                 Youtube Raspberry Pi powered Quadcopter

Initial Thoughts, Has To Be Robots

When the idea of completing an Extended Project Qualification for the AQA Bacc was first put to us, my thoughts went straight to robotics.

The EPQ allows complete freedom to choose a topic that interests you and for me, that's robotics and technology. Having read the New Scientist for a few years now, I noticed that I was always drawn to the work on machines, systems, AI and robotics. So when I was given the chance to spend 120 hours on a topic that interested me in order to achieve a qualification, the picture on the right came to mind!

Asimo is responsible for piquing my interest. He featured on my much-loved QI, and also appeared in James May's Big Ideas programme on robotics and humanoid robots. It was a new, exciting innovation and I thought it was brilliant.

I first thought to pursue a topic which would allow me to do some in-depth research and some research/case-study of my own alongside it. I live near a chicken farm which I know benefits from robotics systems; a robot is used to sort and pack eggs.

I thought I could investigate whether robots in industry are worth their financial investment (initial cost and maintenance) by looking at how they have helped businesses increase profit and efficiency. This should give me enough information for a 5000 word essay, but my title will need to be more specific, because there are many cases of robotics in industry I could study.

At this point, I have not considered a practical investigation - an EPQ comprising of an 'artefact' and a shorter, 2000 (approx.) word essay.