What is FreeBird?
FreeBird is a simple mobile robotic platform powered by an Atmel ATNGW100 evaluation board running GNU/Linux. Python/Lua code running on the FreeBird monitors data collected from various sensors (ultrasound, IR) and makes the robot perform a variety of simple actions (like avoid bumping into obstacles, follow a line etc). Because the code is written in two very powerful and easy to learn programming languages, FreeBird is an ideal platform to teach introductory Computer Programming in an exciting way.
FreeBird is motivated by MIT 6.01, an amazing course which teaches basic electronics, control system design, computer programming and mathematical modelling by making students write code to control mobile robots.
Objectives of the project
- Produce schematics/hardware specs using which an interested person can build the FreeBird herself
- Develop a C/Python/Lua library for writing FreeBird applications
- Integrate FreeBird with existing robotics frameworks (say, `pyro')
- Design a textbook and develop course materials
- Explore more interesting ideas!
Project Status
A prototype robot has been built and tested (as of 22/10/2007). The hardware and software will have to be reworked many times before we have something ready for students. We are exploring how we can engage the Free Software community in this endeavour.