NEW PRODUCT – Kovan – Open source smart robotics controller

Window-399

Window-1-245

NEW PRODUCT – Kovan – Open source smart robotics controller. Kovan is another offering from Sutajio Ko-Usagi, the Open Source hardware company led by Andrew ‘bunnie’ Huang. Kovan is a smart robotics controller targeted at applications that require fully autonomous operation and high levels of integration. Kovan integrates onto a single PCB all the features you need to build a self-guided robot:

Actuator capability:

  • 4x 1.2A H-bridge motor drivers
  • 4x servo drivers

Sensing capability:

  • 8x 10-bit analog inputs (5v/3.3v selectable range)
  • 8x digital I/O (5v/3.3v selectable levels)
  • Rapid-prototyping headers
  • 3-axis accelerometer

Connectivity:

  • 802.11b/g wifi
  • 2x USB 2.0 ports
  • 2x 3.3V UART (one console, one expansion)
  • IR rx & demodulator
  • IR tx (modulation done in FPGA)

UI:

  • LCD + touchscreen connector (natively supports 3.5″ screen)
  • Mono audio output
  • Pushbutton and status LED indicators

Processing:

  • Linux core running on 800 MHz ARM w/128 MB DDR2 + microSD for firmware – FPGA co-processor enabling hard real-time control extensions & advanced image processing extensions

Battery:

  • Integrated 2-cell Li-Ion battery charger (C=1.5A) (note: battery or battery emulator required for proper operation)

The native development environment for Kovan is based upon OpenEmbedded, the same system used by the Beaglebone. Sutajio Ko-Usagi’s PCBA-only version of Kovan comes with C and Python support out of the box, so you can get started right away with development — no need to set up cross-compilers. For more information on the software environment, please visit Kosagi’s site.

The package offered in limited quantities at Adafruit for $249 is the Kovan main board and power supply for development use, configured as a battery emulator, intended for intermediate and advanced developers who can roll their own battery and casing solution.

This board is the heart of the 501©(3) non-profit KISS Institute for Practical Robotics’ next-generation controller, valued at $400. KIPR’s solution will come with a case, integrated battery, LCD, speaker, and an enhanced development environment suitable for entry level hobbyists and students; it will be available for purchase in January at the Botball store.

These will be in the store shortly, sign up now if you’d like to purchase one!


Adafruit publishes a wide range of writing and video content, including interviews and reporting on the maker market and the wider technology world. Our standards page is intended as a guide to best practices that Adafruit uses, as well as an outline of the ethical standards Adafruit aspires to. While Adafruit is not an independent journalistic institution, Adafruit strives to be a fair, informative, and positive voice within the community – check it out here: adafruit.com/editorialstandards

Join Adafruit on Mastodon

Adafruit is on Mastodon, join in! adafruit.com/mastodon

Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, TinyGO, or even use the Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch, 14 alligator clip pads, and lots of sensors: capacitive touch, IR proximity, temperature, light, motion and sound. A whole wide world of electronics and coding is waiting for you, and it fits in the palm of your hand.

Have an amazing project to share? The Electronics Show and Tell is every Wednesday at 7pm ET! To join, head over to YouTube and check out the show’s live chat – we’ll post the link there.

Join us every Wednesday night at 8pm ET for Ask an Engineer!

Join over 36,000+ makers on Adafruit’s Discord channels and be part of the community! http://adafru.it/discord

CircuitPython – The easiest way to program microcontrollers – CircuitPython.org


Maker Business — “Packaging” chips in the US

Wearables — Enclosures help fight body humidity in costumes

Electronics — Transformers: More than meets the eye!

Python for Microcontrollers — Python on Microcontrollers Newsletter: Silicon Labs introduces CircuitPython support, and more! #CircuitPython #Python #micropython @ThePSF @Raspberry_Pi

Adafruit IoT Monthly — Guardian Robot, Weather-wise Umbrella Stand, and more!

Microsoft MakeCode — MakeCode Thank You!

EYE on NPI — Maxim’s Himalaya uSLIC Step-Down Power Module #EyeOnNPI @maximintegrated @digikey

New Products – Adafruit Industries – Makers, hackers, artists, designers and engineers! — #NewProds 7/19/23 Feat. Adafruit Matrix Portal S3 CircuitPython Powered Internet Display!

Get the only spam-free daily newsletter about wearables, running a "maker business", electronic tips and more! Subscribe at AdafruitDaily.com !



No Comments

No comments yet.

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.