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<p>I was working on a robot based on a Wild Thumper chassis, etc.
I've used that chassis previously.</p>
<p>Earlier Sphero had a Kickstarter for their RVR. (<a
href="https://www.sphero.com/rvr">https://www.sphero.com/rvr</a>)
It is smaller but it had all the sensors I wanted - gyro, accel,
IMU, encoders. It has a serial port and a USB port so you can add
another computer. They focused on the Pi but also support Arduino.
Got it in mid-October and am spending a lot of time on it. While I
do somewhat enjoy the hardware aspects of robots my preference is
software. <br>
</p>
<p>I'm currently reverse engineering their serial protocol in C++.
Getting support from them. Their firmware team is delighted
someone is actually working at their level. I'm even getting them
thinking more about the maker community. Their focus has been
mainly on educational promotion. But the RVR is quit different
from their earlier platforms and can address a wider market. IMO
high school or even undergrads could learn a lot about robotics
with the RVR. <br>
</p>
<p>It you want something off the shelf I highly recommend the RVR. I
sold my remaining Thumper chassis and some other robotics stuff to
cover the cost of the RVR. <br>
</p>
<div class="moz-signature"><font face="Comic Sans MS"
color="#000080"> <br>
-73 - <br>
<b>Rud Merriam K5RUD</b> <br>
<a href="http://mysticlakesoftware.com/"> <i>Mystic Lake
Software</i> </a> <br>
<br>
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