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Comparison of the most common robotics learning tools

  • Handy Cricket(Machine Science)

  • IntelliBrain-Bot

  • VEX

  • BasicX

  • NXT Mindstorms.

Written by Elizabeth Mabrey

-last update: May 30th, 2006-

Purpose of this document

I myself have been curious about the differences among these sets. Meanwhile, Storming Robots is looking in providing more feasible sets suitable for more advanced upper middle and high schools students.  I then decide to collect as much technical information and put it in layman's terms in order to help parents and teachers to decide what may be the best learning tools for their children and students.  There are still more to complete. Please write me about correction or any feedback.

Hardware Comparison

Incomplete version - last update on May 30th 2006

Basic Chassis  
  Handy Cricket NXT Mindstorms IntelliBrain-Bot VEX BasicX
Manufacturer ????? LEGO RidgeSoft VexLabs Robodyssey
           
Chassis Fixed.

Anodized Aluminum Chassis.

Require Soldering?

Open designed chassis. 

Start with your own imagination.

No Soldering.

 Fixed.

Based on the Parallax Boe-Bot™ chassis.

No Soldering.

 3 fixed.

Vexlab chasis in 3 predefined sizes. Can make max. 9 sizes. 

No Soldering.

 3 fixed.

On a predefined chassis named The Mouse
 

Soldering?
Mounting   All LEGO Technic parts.
  • typical nuts & bolts metal parts
  • Lego® grid
    compatible
  • Mark III minisumo
    compatible
 typical nuts & bolts metal parts typical nuts & bolts metal parts
Appropriate Age age ?

age 10 & up

It is much more fun if it is open design. Chassis designs can be virtually unlimited. 


 
Sensors  
  Handy Cricket NXT Mindstorms IntelliBrain-Bot VEX BasicX
           
Sensors

In box & Adds-on

 

 In box:

 

 In box:
  • 1 Sound sensor reacts to sound commands, patterns and tones
  • 1 Ultrasonic visual sensor
  • 1 Touch sensor reacts
  • 1 Light sensor 
In box:
  • 2 infrared Photoreflectors (for robot wheel position encoders)
 In box:
  • 2 Limit Switches
  • 2 Bumper Switch (works like touch sensor)
 In box:
  • 4 Photo-resistors with Light variable).
  • 4 Thermistors (Heat variable resistor. 2 Low Range & 2 High Range)
  • 2  touch sensor (Conductive Foam Pressure Sensor Kits)
Add-ons:

 Add-ons: Add-ons: Add-ons:

 

 

 Add-ons:

 
Appropriate age          

Programming Interface &  Environment
  Handy Cricket NXT Mindstorms IntelliBrain-Bot VEX BasicX
Programming Language C???

Gui-based Robolab

Other available Freeware:

  • Java
  • NQC (C-like)
  • #C

These freeware has been around for years.
  • RoboJDE robotics class library and the easy to use
    RoboJDE user interface
  • Provide an IDE and software environment capable of: downloading and debugging
  • supports the most essential features of Java, such as garbage collection, inheritance, interfaces, multi-threading, thread synchronization and floating point arithmetic.
  • Allow application of real-world Java programming techniques and practice.
  • easyC® graphical interface, MPLAB® C18 C Compiler software
  • By Intelitek

Other Freeware:

  • jvex (dated 2/7/2006). 

As always, when you use freeware, you are on your own.
  • Basics
  • Provide Basic IDE by Robodyssey
# of Programs stored ? can contain 5 programs. can only contain 1 program ? ?
Open Source Development ? Yes No No No
Appropriate age average 14 & up average 10 & up average 14 & up average 14 & up average 14 & up

 

Processor
Handy Cricket NXT Mindstorms IntelliBrain-Bot VEX BasicX
Processor
  • CPU - ?
  • RAM - ?
  • EEPROM - ?
  • Flash - ?
 
  • CPU - 32-bit ARM7
  • RAM - 64K
  • EEPROM - ?
  • Flash - 4K
  • CPU - 16-bit Atmel® ATmega128 with up to 14mips
  • RAM - 132K
  • EEPROM- 4K bytes,
    64K bytes with expansion board
  • Flash- 128K

 
  • CPU - 16-bit Microchip PICmicro® PIC18F8520 with up to 10 mips.
  • RAM - 32K
  • EEPROM- 1K bytes
  • Flash - 32K
  • CPU - BX-24b
  • RAM - 400 bytes.
  • EEPROM- 32K bytes
  • Flash - unknown
  • Floating point math - 32bit x 32bit floating point math built-in Serial I/O speed - 1200 - 460.8K Baud.
  • Programming interface - High speed Serial.
  • Physical Package - 24 pin DIP module
The major differences include:
  • CPU: 8-bit ... 32-bit?
  • RAM: 400 ... 132K?
  • EEPROM :
  • Flash :  It is used for retaining data even when the power source is disconnected.  Is higher capacity really necessary?
Appropriate age          

 

  Handy Cricket NXT Mindstorms IntelliBrain-Bot VEX BasicX
Expansion board ???? None
  • adds the
    ability to control up to four pulse width modulated
    DC motors.
  • provides 2
    additional servo, analog, and digital ports, a modulated infrared transmitter LED.
  • has 64K bytes of
    EEPROM storage.
  • supports a secondary battery, and flexible motor and servo powering options.
 None None
 
 

  Handy Cricket NXT Mindstorms IntelliBrain-Bot VEX BasicX
           
Wireless communication   Bluetooth compatible Bluetooth compatible universal remote controller No No
I/Os

(*** = on expansion board)

   4 sensors ports
  • Max. 21 sensors ports
  • 7 analog / digital
    inputs
  • 10 digital I/O
  • 3 I2C headers with +5V and ground
  • 7 additional analog / digital inputs***.
  • 8 digital I/O ***.
  • 2 servo ports with up to 8 ***.
  • 4 motors (up to 15V, 1A
    each) ***.
 max. 16. Each can be used input or output.
  • 21 (16 standard + 2 serial only + 3 accessed outside standard dip pin area).
  • 8 Inputs

 
Powering  
  • 6 cell AA batteries
  • provide optional rechargeable battery pack
  • 4.5V to 9V main
    battery
  • 4 cell AA battery
    holder included
  • Support for 5V or
    6V AC to DC
    regulated wall
    adapter via
    2.1mm center
    positive coax jack
    (adapter not
    included)
  • Optional ***
    secondary
    battery to power
    motors and/or
    servos (up to
    15V)
  • Individually
    selectable motor *** and servo power from main or
    secondary battery
  • Optional *** servo
    power regulation
 7.2V Rechargeable NiCd battery.
  • 6 cell AA batteries
  • Come with NiMH Batteries

 

  Handy Cricket NXT Mindstorms IntelliBrain-Bot VEX BasicX
Display   100 x 64 pixel LCD graphical display 16x2 liquid crystal display   Add-on only
LEDs    
  • 1 power
  • 2 programmable
  • 8 motor status /
    programmable ***
  • 1 modulated IR***
    
Interface w/ PC     RS 232 serial port    
Dimensions    
  • 3.2” x 2.8”
  • LCD module:
    1.4” x 3.1” 1
  • Mini-sumo
    compatible
  • 2.2” x 2.8” for the expansion board***
 4.5" x 3.9" x 1.1" (WxLxH)  

  Handy Cricket NXT Mindstorms IntelliBrain-Bot VEX BasicX
Host PC  
  • Windows XP
  • Mac OSX v. 10.3.9 or 10.4
  • 300 Mbytes available disk space
  • 256 Mbytes RAM
  • via USB or bluetooth
  • Windows 98/Me/2000/XP
  • 50 Mbytes available disk space
  • 128 Mbytes RAM
  • host port- RS232 serial port; up to 115.2K
 Windows XP  

Cost / Performance Comparison

Minimum cost Machine Science Mobile Robot NXT Mindstorms IntelliBrain Bot OEM??? or any other is worth to compare??? BasicX - The Complete Mouse Package
cost of basic kit $230 $250 $300 $300 $476
For simple line following exercise and simple obstacle avoidance $38 

  • Infrared Front-Facing Sensor
  • Infrared Down-Facing Sensor
 Included

Virtually unlimited mounting flexibility

 $20 (Line sensor kit) $40 (3 light sensors & line  tracking kit)

Limited mounting flexibility

 included
For bumper switches exercise none Included none included included
For rotation feedback (shaft encoder) none Included included $20(2 shaft encocders) none/unknown
For obstacle avoidance by range feedback $38  (same as above)

- Infrared Front-Facing Sensor
- Infrared Down-Facing Sensor

 Included $39

- Range Sensor Kit

 $30(1 ultrasonic range finder) included
Sound level None Included none/unknown none/unknown none/unknown
For limiting action in programmed behavior None. None. None Included none/unknown
For location recognizing robot None. none.

But you may find this sensor for this from HiTechnic or MindSensor.

 Included None/unknown none/unknown
For simple gripper build your own build your own build your own build your own one included
Programming software Online C programming environment which is included when you purchase the set.  It is bundled with the set. (Gui-based with Labview as the backbone)

Robolab (another Gui-based with Labview as the backbone, This is MUCH more scalable than the bundled software): $70

Others : free download from the internet.

 included

Java-based

RoboJDE Java-enabled software development environment also offers easy to use user interface, downloading & debugging.

$100

Gui-based C-like

 included (Basics-like language)
Robot-to-robot communciation

 

 $38 (Text messenger kit)

Program to transmit messages entered on an additional key pad device.

Included.

 

 ???? NO NO
Program music tones $10 (Music Synthesizer Kit) Included. ? ? ?
Remote Controller $18

Program your robot to respond to the remote controller's signal.

$?

Do not need to program.

? ? ?
LCD Display Included. Included. Included.    
Pneumatic parts None. None. 

But, you may purchases some parts from www.bricklink.com

 None. None. None.
Approximate cost if I want to create a combo pack.          
Additional cost should be considered.  Such as damaged chip, damaged motor,etc.          

Combo pack should include:
3 motors
2 touch sensors
2 light sensors
1 ultrasonic sensors
1 sound sensors
3 rotation sensors