Parallax 28990 User manual
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Copyright © Parallax Inc. Eddie Robot Platform (28990 & 28992) v1.3 1/16/2013 Page 1 of 17
Eddie Robot Platform
(Assembled: #28990 / Unassembled: #28992)
Eddie is a mobile robotics development platform designed to foster creativity, innovation and
experimentation. Compatible with Microsoft’s Robotics Developer Studio, Eddie can roam autonomously,
see in 3D using the power of the Microsoft Kinect, and be driven remotely using a wireless controller
(sold separately).
Eddie’s Control Board uses the Propeller 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, open-source command interface.
Features
Compatible with Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio
(RDS4)
Two-tiered design provides plenty of room for
electronics as well as convenient laptop mounting for
un-tethered, autonomous navigation.
High-torque 12 VDC gear motors
Durable 6” diameter pneumatic rubber tires traverse
various types of surfaces and terrain.
Three Infra-red distance sensors and two ultrasonic
distance sensors for object detection and collision
avoidance
Integrated control board handles all low level hardware
operations to control motors and collect sensor data
Twin high-capacity 12V , 7.5 Ah sealed lead acid (SLA)
batteries provide significant run-time between charges
USB connectivity
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
Robot Weight: 25.3 lbs (11.5 kg)
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
Copyright © Parallax Inc. Eddie Robot Platform (28990 & 28992) v1.3 1/16/2013 Page 2 of 17
Additional Items Required
Laptop Computer
Kinect Camera
Philips (cross-head) screwdriver
Scissors
5/32” Allen wrench
Microsoft RDS software
A Keen Imagination
Important 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: Motor Mount and Wheel Kits
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: Parts Inventory
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 items listed in the Bill of Materials table below.
Copyright © Parallax Inc. Eddie Robot Platform (28990 & 28992) v1.1 1/16/2013 Page 3 of 17
Bill of Materials
Part # Quantity Description
27971 1 Eddie Motor Mount and Wheel Kit w/ Quadrature Encoders
28971 2 Caster Wheel Kit
765-28977 1 Robot Base
765-28990 1 Eddie Second Deck
700-00235 1 Eddie Wiring Harness
721-00013 2 Kinect Mounting Cam Hook
452-00072 4 Eddie Kinect Cable Clip
800-28990 1 Eddie Kinect Power Cable
713-00049 4 Standoff, 5”, ½” Diameter
713-00050 2 Standoff, 12”, ½” Diameter
721-00014 1 Eddie Laptop Screen Clamp
765-00003 1 Eddie Battery Shelf
752-00007 2 Battery, 12V, 7.2Ah, SLA
28015 2 Ping))) Ultrasonic Distance Sensor
28995 3 Sharp 2Y0A21YK0F Distance Sensor
550-28990 1 Eddie Control Board
805-00002 2 Servo-extension Cable, 14” Length
805-28995 3 Sharp IR Sensor to Servo Cable
725-28995 3 Sharp IR Stand Acrylic
725-32008 2 Ping Stand Acrylic
710-00033 10 Screw, Cap, SKT, 6-32x1/2”
710-00035 24 4-40 x 5/8” black pan head screw
713-00005 6 Spacer, nylon, #4, ¼” thick
713-00019 6 Spacer, nylon, #4, 1/8” thick
713-00015 4 Spacer, nylon, #4, 1/16” thick
700-00240 1 Eddie Battery Charger
806-00001 1” x 10” Snap Velcro
700-00028 4 Screw, Pan Head, Zinc, Phillips, 4-40 x 1/4”
700-00083 4 4-40 x ½”, F/F Hex Standoff
710-00024 4 Screw, Button Head SS, ¼”x20 x ½”
710-00032 6 Screw, Cap, SS, #6-32 x 3/8”
710-00034 4 Screw, Flat Head, Black ¼-20 x 5/8”
721-00012 1 Eddie Kinect Platform
710-00040 4 Screw, Pan Head, Black 4-40 x ½”
710-00100 2 Screw, Pan Head, Black 4-40 x 1/4”
710-00105 10 Screw, Button Head, ¼-20 x 5/8”
710-00106 2 Screw, Button Head, Blk, ¼-20 x ¾”
712-00008 2 Washer, ½” dia, .060 Delrin
713-00001 6 Standoff, 4-40 x 5/8” F/F Round
713-00022 4 Standoff, 4-40 x 1.5” F/F Hex
Copyright © Parallax Inc. Eddie Robot Platform (28990 & 28992) v1.1 1/16/2013 Page 4 of 17
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
Each Ping assembly consists of: Each IR sensor assembly consists of:
(1) Ping))) sensor (#28015) (1) IR sensor (#28995)
(1) Cable, servo extension (#805-00002) (1) IR Sensor to servo cable (#805-28995)
(2) 4-40 x 5/8” black machine screws (#700-00028) (2) 4-40 x 5/8” blk mach. screws (#710-00035)
(2) 1/16” thick nylon spacers (#713-00015) (2) 1/8” thick nylon spacers (#713-00013)
(2) ¼” thick nylon spacers (#713-00005) (2) ¼” thick nylon spacers (#713-00005)
(1) Acrylic Ping stand (#725-32008) (1) 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 “labeled” or 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’s PCB mounting holes.
Copyright © Parallax Inc. Eddie Robot Platform (28990 & 28992) v1.1 1/16/2013 Page 5 of 17
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))), and IR Sensor assemblies.
Figure 3c
Connect the appropriate cables to each of the sensors. Be sure to observe proper polarity on the Ping
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.
Copyright © Parallax Inc. Eddie Robot Platform (28990 & 28992) v1.1 1/16/2013 Page 6 of 17
Step 4: Battery Shelf Preparation
Figure 4a
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.
The physical sizes of SLA batteries differ depending on brand and capacity. Figure 4b shows typical
locations for standoff placements, for the batteries that come with the Eddie platform. Mount the
standoffs in hole locations that provide the tightest fit for the batteries that you’re using.
Place the Delrin shelf so that the Parallax Logo is face down, and attach the standoffs as depicted in
Figure 4b.
Figure 4b
Set the Battery Shelf Assembly aside for now.
Copyright © Parallax Inc. Eddie Robot Platform (28990 & 28992) v1.1 1/16/2013 Page 7 of 17
Step 5: Main Base Assembly
Place the two pre-assembled Casters and Motor Mounts a shown in Figure 5a. Orient the Base Plate so
that the two sets of three holes (in a triangular pattern) are visible (“face-up”), as shown in Figure 5a.
These are “blind” holes (they do not go all the way through). The Caster assemblies are attached from
the bottom of the Base with short screws that do not mar the finish of the top-side.
Figure 5a
Use the 7/64” ball-end, Allen wrench to screw in the (3) 3/8” long socket-head cap screws to attach each
of the Caster Wheel assemblies to the Base, as shown in Figure 5b. Make them “snug”, but do not over
tighten.
Before you mount the drive wheels to the Base, verify that the ID jumpers (A and B) on the Position
Controller for the left motor are set to “1” (both jumpers installed) and that the ID jumpers on the right
Position Controller are set to “2” (A installed, B removed). (See Motor Mount and Wheel Kit for additional
information).
Copyright © Parallax Inc. Eddie Robot Platform (28990 & 28992) v1.1 1/16/2013 Page 8 of 17
Figure 5b
Flip the Base over (as shown in Figure 5c), and attach each pre-assembled drive motor unit to the Base
using (2) ¼ x 20 button head screws for each motor, as shown. Tighten using a 5/32” Allen wrench.
Connect (2) long, three-pin servo extension cables to each of the Quadrature Encoder Boards. Be sure to
observe proper polarity, as noted on the Encoder board silk screen. Connect each of the other ends of
the cables to the Control Board when it’s installed. It is recommended that the cables are routed across
the top side of the robot platform.
Figure 5c
Copyright © Parallax Inc. Eddie Robot Platform (28990 & 28992) v1.1 1/16/2013 Page 9 of 17
Step 6: Control Standoff Assembly
Insert (8) 4-40 x 5/8” Black oxide screws from the underside of the Base, and fasten to the two sets of
(4) of standoffs, as shown in Figure 6a. The ½” long standoffs are for the Eddie Control Board, and the
1.5” standoffs are for the Wiring Harness / Switch Plate assembly.
Figure 6a
Place (but do not attach) the Wiring Harness / Switch Plate assembly onto the Base as shown in Figure
6b. Carefully thread the Red and Black wires through the hole that’s between the set of short standoffs.
Double-check to make certain that the Power Switches are both “off” as shown in Figure 6b.
Figure 6b
Copyright © Parallax Inc. Eddie Robot Platform (28990 & 28992) v1.1 1/16/2013 Page 10 of 17
Step 7: Battery Shelf Installation
Flip the Base over, place the two Sealed Lead Acid batteries on the bottom of the Base, and connect the
Red and Black wires to the corresponding colored terminals, as shown in Figure 7a.
Figure 7a
Refer to Figure 7b. Carefully rotate the batteries, and gently place them between the two drive motor
assemblies. This should be a nice, tight fit. Be careful to not short the terminals of the batteries against
the frames of the motor assemblies. See Figure 7b.
Figure 7b
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