Assembly Guide for RedBot with Shadow Chassis
HelloTechie
SFUptownMaker
Shawn Hymel
Introduction
The SparkFun RedBot is a platform for teaching basic robotics and sensor integration! It is based on the SparkFun RedBoard and fully programmable using Arduino. This guide describes the assembly of the new Shadow Chassis for the RedBot. If you want to learn how to program your robot, see the Experiment Guide for RedBot.
NOTE: We recommend that you read all of the directions first, before building your RedBot.
RedBot Basic Kit vs. SIK for RedBot
This tutorial will cover how to install all the parts in the SparkFun RedBot Basic Kit and the SparkFun Inventor's Kit for RedBot (SIK for RedBot).
SparkFun RedBot Basic Kit
We have two flavors of the RedBot available - the Basic kit and the SparkFun Inventor's Kit for RedBot. If you have the SparkFun RedBot Basic Kit, you can skip the sections marked with (SIK).
Alternatively, you can pick up additional sensors to install on your RedBot. These parts include the Wheel Encoder Kit, RedBot Buzzer, and two RedBot Mechanical Bumpers. Follow the sections in this guide that covers any of the extra sensors you might have.
SIK for RedBot
The SIK for RedBot has a few extra parts that you won't see in the Basic Kit. These include the mechanical bump sensors (whiskers), the buzzer, and wheel encoders. If you have the SIK for RedBot, you can follow all the sections in this guide, including those marked with (SIK).
Materials
The SparkFun RedBot Basic Kit contains the following pieces. SIK-only parts are noted with an asterisk (*). Note that several of the parts need to be snapped out of the main chassis boards.
| Part | Qty | |
|---|---|---|
| A | Bottom Chassis Plate | 1 |
| B | Top Chassis Plate | 1 |
| C | Front Motor Mount | 2 |
| D | Rear Motor Mount | 2 |
| E | Side Strut | 4 |
| F | Encoder Mount | 2 |
| G | Mainboard Mount | 2 |
| H | Battery Pack Clip | 1 |
| I | Line Follower Mount | 1 |
| J | Line Follower Mount Plate | 1 |
| K | Motor | 2 |
| L | Wheel | 2 |
| M | Nub Caster | 1 |
| N* | Encoder Magnet Plate (SIK) | 2 |
| O* | Encoder Hall Effect Sensor (SIK) | 2 |
| P | RedBot Mainboard | 1 |
| Q | Line Follower Board | 3 |
| R | Accelerometer Board | 1 |
| S* | Buzzer Board (SIK) | 1 |
| T* | Bumper Board (SIK) | 2 |
| U* | Bumper Whisker (SIK) | 2 |
| V* | #4-40 x 3/8" Screw (SIK) | 6 |
| W* | #4-40 Nylon Standoff (SIK) | 2 |
| X* | #4-40 Hex Nut (SIK) | 2 |
| Y | 3-Wire Jumper Cable (SIK) | 3 (5*) |
| Z | Battery Holder | 1 |
| AA* | AA Batteries (SIK) | 4 |
| AB* | Screwdriver (SIK) (Not Shown) | 1 |
| AC* | USB Mini-B Cable (SIK) (Not Shown) | 1 |
| * Indicates parts included in the SIK for RedBot | ||
IMPORTANT: If you have the RedBot Basic Kit, you will need 4x AA batteries.
Recommended Tools
None! The RedBot Basic Kit does not require any additional tools. The SIK for RedBot comes with a screwdriver, which you will need to mount the Bumper Boards. If you bought the Bumper Boards separately, you will need a Phillips screwdriver.
WARNING: Do not attempt to remove chassis parts by squeezing them with pliers. You will break them, and the robot will be sad.
A Note About Directions
When we talk about the "front," "left," "right," and "back" of the RedBot, we are referring to specific sides of the robot when viewed from above.
Notice that we consider the Mainboard to be on the "back" of the RedBot and the Bumper Whiskers and Line Follower Boards to be in the "front."