Robotz.
a.k.a
Javascript robotics and you.
About Me
Engineering Evangelist @ RetailMeNot
NodeBots Core Team
"Might actually be a NodeBot"
Brief History of JS robotics
1. Node-SerialPort
2. Johnny-Five
3.
The JS Hardware Explosion
- Conferences started having hardware talks
- Dev interest skyrocketed
- # of platforms skyrocketed
Johnny-Five to Nodebots
There is now a differentiation between johnny-five the library, and NodeBots the movement.
Johnny-five unlocks an entire segment of nodebots, but there are now new forms of NodeBots that run JS natively.
Three Categories of NodeBot:
- "Wrapped" NodeBots
- "Native" NodeBots
- Itty-Bitty Computers
"Wrapped" NodeBots
Examples: Arduino, Sphero, AR-Parrot Drones, SparkCore
These technologies do not run JS internally; they expose an API that can be used via JS
This is where Johnny-Five shines: one consistent API to control a litany of robotic platforms
"Native" NodeBots
Examples: Tessel, Espruino, Pinoccio (kinda)
These platforms run JS natively- no wrappers, no tethered computer running node
Most have their own libraries - but Johnny-Five can also be used on some of these!
Itty-bitty computers
Examples: Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone Black
These are just small computers with GPIO pins attached. They run Node, from the command line, just like your laptop.
There are plenty of npm modules to work with the GPIO on these machines, but, of course, johnny-five can wrap these, too.
Hybrids
Examples: Arduino Yun, Intel Galileo
These are "wrapped tech" (arduino) mashed together with itty-bitty computers.
Equivalent of plugging an Arduino into a BeagleBone Black with a USB cord.
Johnny-Five has wrappers for some of these, too.
Demo
Espruino Microcontroller
Written entirely in JS
Uses sensors, outputs, and lights
Where do I start?
SparkCore Starter Kit (SparkCore)
Sparkfun Inventor's Kit (Arduino)
Freenode: #nodebots, #johnny-five
Document Your Build!
From the simplest blinking LED to NodeBots RoboCop, your documentation matters!
Don't just document what went well- document what went wrong!
So get out there and build something!
Kassandra Perch
@kassandra_perch
Engineering Evangelist, RetailMeNot