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Education Robotics The Military Build

Ask Slashdot: Robotics or Electronic Kits For Wounded Veterans? 115

Posted by timothy from the least-we-could-do dept.
An anonymous reader writes I am currently a combat veteran in the care of the VA Hospital. A lot of veterans here suffer from PTSD and other injuries related to combat and trauma. As part of the healing process, the VA finds it good that we take up hobbies such as art or music, and they supply us kits and stuff to put together and paint. This is great, but many of us younger veterans have an interest in robotics and electronics. Do you know of some good and basic robotic and electronic kits that can be ordered or donated to Veterans out there? Any information would be appreciated.
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Ask Slashdot: Robotics or Electronic Kits For Wounded Veterans? More

Ask Slashdot: Robotics or Electronic Kits For Wounded Veterans?

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  • Here you go... (Score:3)

    by Lumpy ( 12016 ) on Monday September 08, 2014 @03:17PM (#47855089) Homepage

    adafruit and Sparkfun.

    Contact them and ask. otherwise those are the places to buy from.

    • Re:Here you go... (Score:4, Insightful)

      by Mr D from 63 ( 3395377 ) on Monday September 08, 2014 @03:21PM (#47855113)
      Yeah, arduino type hardwares, breadboards, and a host of related parts like actuators and leds would provide an endless set of options, and be re-useable.

      A great idea, one that could probably find a lot of funding support.

    • Re: (Score:2, Informative)

      by Anonymous Coward

      Jameco also has robotics and electronics kits for various levels of skill.

    • Sparkie (Score:2, Informative)

      by Anonymous Coward

      If you want to start with a pre-built robot - Sparki is pretty good - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/arcbotics/sparki-the-easy-robot-for-everyone

      Arduino base
      Already assembled (you don't have to try to do that part)
      Modular

      Think of it as a prototype unit to play with before you try to build one yourself.

      Another great bit would be to build a 3D printer (e.g. Printrbot). Get's you the mechanical bits you crave along with a mid-level development platform, and robot that you can then use to build parts for

    • Shameless plug..... http://robot-army.com/ [robot-army.com] A fun to build Dancing Delta Robot Kit

  • Lego (Score:4, Informative)

    by Anonymous Coward on Monday September 08, 2014 @03:22PM (#47855129)

    The Lego Mindstorm kit is fairly good for entry level robotics (by default programmed in a drag and drop GUI) and can be modded to take C or Java code as well.

    They are a little pricey but you can share sensors and motors if you have enough connections on your controller.

    Good stuff, I used them for my college AI class (it was required material for the class)

    • The Lego Mindstorm kit is fairly good for entry level robotics

      I second this. If you are a beginner, Mindstorms is a great place to start. I coach a robotics club, and even 3rd and 4th graders can program the default GUI. The 5th and 6th graders use a Scratch interface, and some of the more advanced kids have moved on to C (actualy NXC or Not eXactly C). The older kids are also working to add their own sensors and actuators, using thermistors, photo diodes, LEDs, mini motors, etc. Although kids can use it, there is plenty to challenge an adult.

      They are a little pricey

      Yes, they are pricey

  • A few thoughts. (Score:5, Informative)

    by john.r.strohm ( 586791 ) on Monday September 08, 2014 @03:25PM (#47855145)

    Lego Mindstorm comes immediately to mind, as it gets you DOING things with robots rather than getting bogged down in implementation. (The informal motto of the Dallas Personal Robotics Group at one time was "It's harder than it looks!", and they weren't kidding.)

    Heathkit keeps talking about making a comeback, but I'm in an "I'll believe it when I see it" mood these days.

    Ramsey Electronics has a LOT of kits. Most of them require basic soldering skills. However, they do sell some electronic experimenters kits, that don't require soldering.

    • with the intro of EV3 - you could put out the call to FLL message boards to see if people retiring their NXT care to pack it up and send it off. It' still perfectly serviceable (and came with more default sensors than EV3) and since you're not fiddling with innards, the new ideas and extensions of contraptions tend to flow fairly well. Any kits you find have been through a half dozen years of middle schoolers - good luck wrecking them.

  • RedBot, Elecraft (Score:3)

    by dbc ( 135354 ) on Monday September 08, 2014 @03:25PM (#47855149)

    SparkFun RedBot
    The Arduino Robot
    Just plain old Arduino, RasPi, etc hackery.
    For the radio minded, Elecraft has some cool ham radio kits.

  • In San Diego? (Score:1)

    by Anonymous Coward

    If you are in San Diego and combat wounded there are opportunities for you to get out of the hospital and intern at a local government lab to learning robotics. Ask your transition coordinator.

  • I'm not sure who makes them, but they do look like a lot of fun for the dextrously inclined (I prefer Basic-compatible LEGO and traditional steel Meccano), and the end result is usually something that walks, beeps, rolls and/or shoots soft projectiles.

  • Wounded Warrior Cyber Combat Academy (Score:1)

    by Anonymous Coward

    Not entirely about robotics, but if you like tech and if you're over at Walter Reed, you should check out the Wounded Warrior Cyber Combat Academy (http://w2cca.org/) if you're looking for something to keep your mind occupied and are interested in technology, and especially security. The w2cca folks basically help train you for a cybersecurity job after you get out, and the training is really nuts-to-bolts (starting with basic hardware/software and moving on). Great team, and very focused on the mission a

  • Vex (Score:3, Informative)

    by blueshift_1 ( 3692407 ) on Monday September 08, 2014 @03:46PM (#47855317)
    I really enjoyed the vex robotics kits. They are bit pricy, but are more substantial alternative to the lego mindstorms (which are also quite good). Just another option. They have a basic toolkit to do some autonomous routines but also have the ability to do remote controlled. And lots of sensors and goodies. I used them at a robotics camp at ORNL about 8 years ago. They aren't great for more industrial style robotics, but a neat project to do more advanced erector set style learning/expermenting I though it was most excellent.

    http://goo.gl/JlX692 [goo.gl] Link to the standard vex kit.

    Also, there are endless projects with arduino, but it's naturally a bit more technical. So I guess it depends a lot on skill level with electronics programming.

    So I'd probably say Lego for the truly basic beginner, Vex for some prior knowledge but wanting a bit more robust system. And then for the well experienced arduino.

    • Assuming you're dealing with a bunch of young males and have some basic workshop facilities I'd consider getting a) Plenty of sheet steel b) Some medium power DC motors with rubber wheels c) Some robust lead-acid battery packs & chargers d) Some RC controllers with drive modules to match the DC motors e) Four standard chassis welded up from steel tube, say A3 size, 4" high Yep, anyone for team robot wars?? Start off with a chalked circle as an arena. Leave the circle, you lose. I'd guess setup costs

  • I'd startup a conversation with these folks www.botball.org. My son and several of his friends have participated and it was a great experience for them. While the kits are a pricey, the setup they use for competition isn't. Once you have the kits it shouldn't take that much effort to let the vets do their own thing or even organize botball-esque events within the VA.

    CPL
    U.S Army
    1985-1990
    Medical Hold
    1989-1990

  • I have a nice suggestion for you. Get a beagleboard (beagleboard.org)
    Use it to learn Linux and linux programming.
    Also use it to learn Android. Write yourself an Android app.

    Guess what? You can get a really, really good job. In the NYC
    market, Android devs start at 75k.

    Cost:

    beagleboard plus accessories: $100.
    6 months of learning.

    That's it. Good luck.

  • I don't know if this is too beginner level, but I think it's worth a mention: Snap Circuits [snapcircuits.net]. It's kind of like those old learn electronics kits with the spring connectors, but in this case they snap together with magnets. I would think if you went through all the kits you would learn all the basics pretty quickly, and then you'll be more comfortable moving on to the arduinos, etc.

    Also checkout RobotShop [robotshop.com] for more advanced stuff.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by unimacs ( 597299 )
      If you have a small workspace, limited dexterity (find it hard to strip wires and shove the ends to small holes), and are just starting out in electronics, Snap Circuits are great.

      Lego Mindstorms are good for understanding the basics of robotics and to a certain degree programming but out of the box don't teach a lot about electronics.

      If you have some programming experience and at least a basic knowledge of electronics then Arduinos are a lot of fun but I think a lot would depend on the kind of facili

  • For a lot of robotics work you need to be able to install software on the computer. Not sure if that would be a problem or not, but Arduino and Lego both require good access to the computer. Something like a Raspberry Pi or Oodo which is already a computer itself might be a better starting point if there are restrictions on accessing a host computer.

  • Amateur (Ham) Radio (Score:1)

    by Anonymous Coward

    Amateur (Ham) Radio is a great hobby and community for veterans. It provides opportunities for those who just want to talk to others around the world all the way to those who want to work on the leading edge of electronics and communications technology. Public service is a major purpose of Amateur Radio too. I'm sure veterans who contact the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) at http://arrl.org will find something interesting and rewarding.

  • https://www.radioshack.com/pro... [radioshack.com]
    Parallax has a nice kit that works with a Arduino. http://www.parallax.com/robots... [parallax.com]

    Thank you for your service!

  • Welcome (Score:5, Informative)

    by McLae ( 606725 ) on Monday September 08, 2014 @04:22PM (#47855653) Homepage
    The Texas Northern Model Railroad Club is always looking for new members.

    Many of our members are veterans (Lots of fun stories there!)

    I will donate a rail car kit to the first 5 veterans who come by for a visit and Asks for Thomas.

    Our web site is: http://www.modelrailroadclub.o... [modelrailroadclub.org]

    Meetings are Thursday nights.

  • ...then it's actually a GREAT way to forget bad things in the past. The best thing in the world you can do for the wounded mind is to occupy it with something interesting and challenging to do, at least something pleasing and rewarding.

    I've built one of the biggest electronics labs I've personally ever seen, not even the technical schools I've visited can match it, and I have to admit...just the building process itself (you know, getting the parts off eBay, the local flea markets, ham-fest, local radio a
  • I was trying to do some robotics... I could not find ANYTHING that would help me put together the mechanical aspect of the whole thing. As far as I got was buying the (I think it was 10 bucks) USB board from radio shack that you solder together. It lets you control pretty much anything from simple PC software. Actually, even with an EE degree (which I haven't used in 23 years), there was a bit of a learning curve with wiring up the output pins to relays in order to get anything to actually work, but whe
  • http://www.bristolwatch.com/ [bristolwatch.com]
    http://www.circuitstoday.com/ [circuitstoday.com]
    http://forum.allaboutcircuits.... [allaboutcircuits.com]
    http://www.bowdenshobbycircuit... [bowdenshob...cuits.info]
    And here's a neat project to make a lab power supply out of an old PC power supply http://www.electronics-tutoria... [electronics-tutorials.ws]
  • I highly reccomend the Arduino. Its inexpensive, easy to interface with, has tons of online support, and examples of how to us most modules work by just connecting a few wires. For all the kids that wanted to grow up and be a mad scientist, this is the solution. Think, Design, Build, Enjoy.

  • http://www.shapeoko.com/ [shapeoko.com]

    It can be easily configured as a 3D printer, so would be suited for use in-doors w/o hearing protection: http://www.shapeoko.com/wiki/i... [shapeoko.com]

    Assembly instructions here: http://docs.shapeoko.com/ [shapeoko.com]

  • Didn't realize that I was posting Anon... 2 Comments: 1: Thank you for serving. Just remember that you and other soldiers like yourself (myself included) sacrificed their rights, in order to protect the rights of the people that are taking to this board to incite hate. People like that will never understand all that went into giving them the right to say what they want to say without fear of repercussion. They will never understand the fear of censorship, and while the vocal minority may speak the loude

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by vux984 ( 928602 )

      1: Thank you for serving. Just remember that you and other soldiers like yourself (myself included) sacrificed their rights, in order to protect the rights of the people that are taking to this board to incite hate.

      Funny that when its police, its nothing but cops with power complexes abusing their position. Fascist pigs who close ranks to protect their own abuses, and all that.

      Or do you pipe up to tell us how they are they are the thin blue line putting their lives on the line to protect our freedoms from

      • Humanity always has it's dark side. Military, Police, Fire Department and Politics included. But only a small minded individual lumps all of the good people in with the bad. Are all Soldiers heros. Absolutely not. But I can tell you from personal experience, that those bad eggs would not be reaching out on a site like this for ways to better themselves either. There is no reason to attack the poster or myself for thanking the poster for his service. I take offense to the term Invasion of Iraq. I sat on the

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by vux984 ( 928602 )

          But only a small minded individual lumps all of the good people in with the bad.

          Or all the bad with the good.

          The purpose of my post was to contrast the perception of police and soldier. One is revered the other reviled, but they are in many respects much the same.

          We badmouth the police all the time, but anyone says anything even slightly negative about a soldier, and people come out of the woodwork, to fall over themselves to thank them for their service.

          That's all I intended to say. Its as much an attack o

          • We badmouth the police all the time, but anyone says anything even slightly negative about a soldier

            I have never badmouthed a member of of law enforcement or any civil service. Please do not lump me in with "everyone". They do just to preserve and protect our freedoms as anyone else.

            ISIS is killing children and burying people alive... would ISIS be what it is today if we hadn't gone after Saddam?

            ISIS is a splintercell that has been cut off of support from Al Queda. Al Qaeda has publicly stated this. It

            • Re: (Score:2)

              by vux984 ( 928602 )

              ISIS is a splintercell that has been cut off of support from Al Queda. Al Qaeda has publicly stated this. It was born of members that were based out of Syria, Iran and Iraq

              All true.

              . I believe that if Saddam was still in power, that they would most likely be worse then they are now, because they Saddam regime would have politically aligned themselves with their cause,

              Assuming it would have existed as a significant entity in the first place. Which it wouldn't have. It would have just been some minor radical

  • If you have no background in electronics at all, this might be a good place to start:

    http://www.innovatoys.com/kits-labs/50-in-one-electronic-project-lab/165

    Very basic analog and radio circuits, which in my opinion is the best place to start, and at under $30 it won't break the bank. You'll go through all the projects pretty quickly - but then you can start experimenting with your own circuits. No soldering required - just connect the pre-tinned wires to the connector springs. I had a similar kit from Radio

  • I am looking for the right Veterans Organization (Semper Fi to my fellow Marines) to give some Dell Optiplex PCs.. USB 2.0, 200 GB disks, Intel Video. I served during the first Gulf war, so I know what you are talking about. Any suggestions. North Texas is preferred to reduce shipping costs.

  • If it interests you, inexpensive USB-DTV dongles and free software.

  • sounds like the perfect way to have some combat shocked zealous soldier to invent terminators or other crazy robot evil genius wet dreams.

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