The ArbotiX-M Robocontroller is at the heart of most every Interbotix Robot. This versatile robot controller is an advanced control solution for BIOLOID and DYNAMIXEL based actuators. As an Arduino compatible microcontroller the Arbotix Robocontroller also benefits from a huge open source community of libraries and examples. Since its release in 2010 the Arbotix has quickly become a favorite among builders worldwide from hobby to high level research.
the ‘M’ in ArbotiX-M stands for mini – the new Arbotix board is over 25% smaller than the original. The changes from the ArbotiX to the ArbotiX-M are as follows:
- A smaller footprint(61mm X 61mm)
- 10 more general purpose I/O pins
- Barrel Jack for DC Power
- Separate Power Bus for 4 PWM Digital outputs for Hobby Servos
- No dedicated I2C header (I2C is still available on D16 = SCL D17=SDA)
- No DC Brushed Motor Controller
- Not compatible with the RX-Bridge
The ArbotiX robocontroller is an advanced control solution for AX/MX/RX/EX DYNAMIXEL servos and BIOLOID Based robots. It incorporates a powerful AVR microcontroller, XBEE wireless radio, dual motor drivers, and 3-pin servo-style headers for digital and analog I/O.
As an Arduino compatible board, the ArbotiX can be used with the Arduino IDE. We’ve also released an open source library and sample programs to help with controlling DYNAMIXEL AX/MX/RX/EX servos.
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Arbotix-Pro Robocontroller — 32bit ARM based Robotics Subcontroller
The Arbotix-Pro is a robotics sub-controller based around the STM32F103 Cortex M3 ARM microprocessor. It functions as a ‘brain stem’ to a main CPU, allowing users to interface to servos, sensors, lower level communication buses such as TTL serial or I2C, and power all through one convenient USB connection and communication protocol.
The Arbotix-Pro is built around using Dynamixel Robot actuators and has support for both TTL or RS-485 communication, to control AX, MX, and Dynamixel-PRO actuators from ROBOTIS. Power to the Dynamixels can be controlled independently via a dedicated power mosfet, allowing for power saving while in standby modes or power-cycling of servos in case of shutdown or error.
The Arbotix-Pro is a robust sub-controller that functions seamlessly as a Dynamixel device, thanks to its preloaded firmware. This integration allows a unified communication protocol for actuators and sub-controllers while supporting attached sensors. The Arbotix-Pro provides a register table for querying sensor data, managing actuator power, monitoring voltage, and facilitating pass-through communication on the Dynamixel bus. Additionally, its integrated accelerometer and gyroscope offer inertial data for enhanced robot control.
Key Features:
- 16 ADC/GPIOs for custom input/output needs.
- 3 user buttons and LEDs for versatile interaction.
- Integrated buzzer output.
- Supports 3 serial ports (USB, XBee, UART), usable simultaneously.
- 3.3V and 5V power regulators (1.5A each) for peripheral power needs.
- A high-capacity 60A MOSFET for Dynamixel bus power switching.
The controller enables USB, XBee, and UART connections to interface with the robot's main CPU, offering flexible communication channels.
Automate Robot Systems with Latenode
Latenode can help you fully leverage the Arbotix-Pro's capabilities by automating complex robotics workflows. Create processes to:
- Monitor and log sensor data.
- Manage power switching and voltage thresholds for the Dynamixel bus.
- Control actuators and sensor interactions dynamically.
- Integrate communication protocols like USB, XBee, and UART for seamless data exchange.
By automating tasks and centralizing control, Latenode ensures efficient operation and simplifies development for robotics projects.
- Product Page: http://www.interbotix.com/arbotix-pro
- Github: https://github.com/Interbotix/ArbotixPro