Welcome to the Robotics Kit Page.

What is the Robotics Kit? 

The Robotics Kit is the culmination of years of work and experimentation. In the past, schools have been offered site rights to the information needed to construct Real World interfaces for IBM Compatibles and all of the associated reference texts and software, but not the actual hardware. By building your own interfaces you could save THOUSANDS over commercial alternatives. The problem was that while most Computing teachers were happy enough to get involved with the programming and application side, many were hesitant to do the required 'hands-on' soldering. If you are one of those people who would love to get your students involved with inexpensive interfacing (eg for Robotics and the new Year 12 Industry Information Technology), but want a fully assembled and tested interface, this is for you ...

The Robotics Kit consists of:

- a battery operated Simplified Input/Output Interface that can be plugged into any Centronics printer port and controlled with programming language such as Pascal, BASIC, Logo, Authorware, Visual Basic... In fact you can use ANY software that can address the printer port!!

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- a fully assembled 4 way Input/Outport Interface with four relays and four switched input lines complete with switches and power adapter ready to plug in a start using. Each of the four relays can control ANY low voltage device normally controlled by a switch. (See below for some examples.) The input lines can detect the OPEN/CLOSED state of any switch including a light-operated switch based on an MEL12 'opto transistor'.

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- two Serial Cables to connect to each of the interfaces.
- a Printed Booklet describing the interface, programming techniques and other Real World interfaces based on the Games Port.
- disks containing the Booklet as a Word file for you to duplicate, or cut and paste to make your own worksheets.
- disks of Programming Resources and Sample Code in Visual Basic, Pascal, Authorware and MswLogo to get you started.
- copies of MswLogo for Win95 and Win3.x (which you can easily download yourself from Softronix). They're only supplied with the Kit to save you the trouble.
- Site Rights to duplicate all resource material in any way you like for use at your Site.
- ongoing support and access to modifications and improvements.

What do I do with it now? 

The first thing you should do is browse through the booklets supplied with the Kit to get some ideas about what you can do with it. The "Science Experimenters Kit" booklet was included for those of you who may like to experiment with Analogue to Digital conversion using the Games Port as well as simple ON/OFF conditions.

The Input/Output Demonstration Board may be used to gain experience in writing code to control the output lines and can be used to create some interesting flashing LED displays. It can even be used to teach students about Binary Counting.*

The 4 Way I/O Interface can be used for any LOW VOLTAGE application which uses on/off switches.

 
NEVER experiment with mains voltage devices. 
It is illegal and a STUPID thing to do.

You could use the 4 Way I/O Board to control ...

A train set. A remote controlled car (wired and wireless). A reticulation solenoid valve. A radio (battery only!!). A 12 volt globe. A siren. Any battery operated toy. A car racing set. An electronic stop watch. A burglar alarm system. Computer software written in Authorware, Visual Basic, or MswLogo. Automatic data logging (using the games port). Science air track experiments. 'Hands free' software for the disabled. (See: Touch)

AND ...

Simulating Industrial Control processes.

Detecting light/dark changes (using the MEL12 Opto Transistor)

Building and controlling a 'Robot'.

Constructing a 'Door Sentry' system.

Controlling a Lighting Display. (Up to 12 volts ONLY!!)

Controlling battery driven motors.(Up to 12 volts ONLY!!)

Controlling commercial model sets (eg Lego).

 
NEVER experiment with mains voltage devices. 
It is illegal and a STUPID thing to do.

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Resources: These are the latest resources. Feel free to download them an use them under your Site License.

Robotics Kit WorkSheet#1 (MswLogo - Flashing Lights) - ws1.zip

Teacher's Reference for Robotics Kit WorkSheet#1 - trefws1.zip

Robotics Kit WorkSheet#2 (MswLogo - Controlling Lights) - ws2.zip

Teacher's Reference for Robotics Kit WorkSheet#2 - trefws2.zip

Robotics Kit WorkSheet#3 (MswLogo - Looping) - ws3.zip

Teacher's Reference for Robotics Kit WorkSheet#3 - trefws3.zip

Go to the latest HARDWARE MODIFICATIONS - This page lists the latest improvements and modifications made to the Robotics Kit interface boards. Modifications and notices will be posted as they are developed.