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Hardware (WiMo II) 

Hardware used for the WiMo II bot 


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Legal mumbo jumbo:  The information on this site is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

While I do my best to make sure that all the information is correct and up-to-date, mistakes do happen.  If you think you see a mistake or something that is unclear, please email me and let me know so that I can fix it.
I primarily got the hardware for WiMo from 3 main vendors.  I'll list out the parts and where i got them below, but please feel free to shop around for different/better parts and better prices.  I'm just listing what I used. 

I believe the parts cost about $250 after tax and shipping for a single WiMo (not including the Smartphone). 

'll try my best to list the correct parts and I have no idea if the part numbers will ever change (i hope not) etc.  In other words, I'm just offering information and can't be responsible if the wrong parts are bought accidentally.  That aside, if you have questions, please let me know at wimo@wimobot.com.


Jameco/Robotstore

I got the following parts from Jameco (www.jameco.com).  You can also get to them via www.robotstore.com.  I'll list the Jameco part number as that is the invoice you'll get.

Part Part Number Description or "Used for" Approx Price

Dual H-Bridge Motor Controller by Lynxmotion.  Model DHB-01

385801 The motor controller.  Not sure why this one is so cheap compared to the others i've seen, but it's worked great and looks like it will handle much more powerful motors as well. $25
OOPic-R Starter Package 358740 The OOPic microcontroller.  There are many other microcontrollers out there that you can use instead if you want, but you'll need different code and interfaces.  WiMo currently uses the OOPic.  There is a great user community for this microcontroller as well.  Get more details at www.oopic.com $85
3 AA Battery Holder 216143 Used to hold the 3 AA batteries in series used by the motors $1
9V Battery Clip 105793 Used to hold the 9v for the OOPic $0.30

The following are connectors that i bought i used.  If you have a favorite connector you'd rather use, go on ahead :)  i stuck with .1" spaced pins

4 Pin polarized header

You need one of these
613958 I bought a bunch of these, they are useful for making connections on the mainboard.  I bought these in 2, 4, and 6 pin version (probably will be listed below).  These are cheap. $0.10
Single female pin

(Probably only NEED the 10, but i'd get 20 of these... they are good to have)
100765 These are great to solder on the end of the wires so that you can plug wires into the polarized headers.  Another "general" component that is just nice to have. $0.14
.100" non polarized plastic connectors (2 pin)

(Need at least 1, but i'd get at least 2.  You'll use the single femail pins above in here. )
100811 These are good for not having to hardwire all of your wires to the circuits.  allows you to easily take WiMo apart if you need/want.  again, use your favorite connector :)

$0.23

Spark Fun Electronics

Spark Fun (www.sparkfun.com) is a great place for various electronic modules.  I have a good time checking there and seeing what else they have to offer.  It seems like they always have new stuff to offer!

Part Product
SKU
Description or "Used for" Approx Price

Bluetooth Modem - BlueSMiRF (1)

RF-BlueSMiRF The bluetooth module i used.  This is hooked up to the OOPic's serial TTL lines.  This module was very easy to use. $60
Perf Board - Large (1) PType-PB-Large The main board that i wired everything to.  You can get a perf board at many different places, but i recommend this one since it has the solder pads on it and has a grid for explaining where to solder and drill.  I'll be using this grid when explaining how to build WiMo.  If you aren't going to follow exactly how i built WiMo (strongly encouraged!) then get whatever suits your needs $4
Polarized Connectors - Header/Receptacle Pairs (6 pin)

(need 1, but i love the crimp pins that come with it.  I used the crimp pins for some of the ground wires, so you might want to get a few extra just for the crimp pins.  i'm looking on where to buy the pins separately)
PType-Connector I only used the female portion of this for plugging the bluetooth module into.  You could probably find this part at Jameco, but i bought it here $1.50 (that's for both male and female connectors)
Standoffs Plastic Short

(2 sets)
PType-SO-Plastic Plastic short standoffs: 3/8" long x 1/4".  These were used to lift both the OOPic and the motor controller off of the perf board.  you'll want some #4-40 screws as well (can get at home depot) $1 for a set of 4, i used 8 total in my WiMo

Budge Robotics

Budget Robotics (www.budgetrobotics.com) has been a great resource for robotic platforms.  Not only do they have quite a few different kits available, they have many of the mechanics that you might want.  Even premodified servos!  WiMo doesn't use them (yet), but they are nice to have. 

Part Product
SKU
Description or "Used for" Approx Price

Robot Tank Base Kit

KIT410 The tank base used for WiMo.  This includes the motors, plastic platforms, and the treads.  $40
2.5" Aluminum Risers (set of 4) RISER-SET These risers are used to hold the smartphone (using the ever-so-popular rubberband method).  You have to buy in sets of 4, but you only need 2.  These are just good to have around for when you want to make modifications.  $3
1.25" Nylon Risers (set of 4) RISER-SET These are used to attach the servo used to rotate the Smartphone.  Another good item to have extra of for later. $3

Misc stuff you'll need/want

Looking at wimo, here are the other "parts" that you'll need.  you can probably pick any of these up locally in your town. 

Part Product
SKU
Description or "Used for" Approx Price

2-56 sized screws

Radio Shack
64-3010
These came in a packet with 42 screws, 3 different sizes (1/4", 1/2", and 3/4").  I use the long ones for attaching the OOPic-R (the holes on the board are too small for the screws that come with the small risers $2
2-56 nuts Radio Shack
64-3017
These fit on the screws of the same size.   Part number: 64-3017 $2
#6-32 Machine Screws 2" Home Depot I used the 2" 6-32 screws for the chasis.  This allowed the circuit board to sit a bit higher $2
#6 washers Home Depot general use.  I also used these to help raise the circuit board.  I used 6 washers per #6-32 screw $1-$2
depending on count
#6 nuts Home Depo Used for #6-32 screws $1-$2
depending on count
Double-sided servo tape Hobby Store (R/C car section) I used this to attach the servo "horn" to the cd that the phone sits on.  You can also use this for the battery clip and battery compartments if you want.  This stuff is pretty sticky once it sets $4
Velcro Grocery Store
or
Home Depot
an alternative to the servo tape.  i used velcro for the battery container.  (i actually screwed in the 9v clip) $2
Standard R/C Servo
(I used the Futaba S3003 or S3004)
Hobby Shop Nothing special about this servo, but should be fine for turning the Smartphone from camera mode to personality mode. $14
rubberbands Grocery Store Used to hold the Smartphone in place.  $1
Electrical tape Home Depot good to have so that you can insulate connections.  I mounted the bluetooth module under the perf board.  so i put electrical tape on the bottom of the perf board so that i wouldn't have to worry about the bluetooth module shorting on the solder points. $1
Wire (i have red, black, green) Radio Shack
or any other electronics shop
i think it is 20 guage wire.  If you want the same stuff, then just make sure it will work well in a breadboard.  i bought them in small spools (probably only 15 - 25 ft of wire) and i am not even close to running out yet.  There are times where i wish i had the twisted wire as well, so you may want to look into both.  they both have advantages and disadvantages. $2 x 3
Windows Mobile SDK CD (or any other CD of your choice) Any CD will work I used the CD for the platform that the Smartphone sits on.  CD's come predecorated, are pretty sturdy, and pretty light weight.  Your servo should come with a selection of servo "horns"  use the biggest one (usually a disc about 2" in diameter)... Free

Handy Tools to Have Around

Tool Description or "Used for"

MultiMeter

Think of this like the simple debugger of electronics.  You can test circuts, identify component values, etc.  You'll definitely want this.
Soldering Gun While there isn't a whole lot of soldering involved, you will have to solder a bit
Soldering Arms not sure the real name of this, but i have a little stand that has a few allegator clips to hold components.  This gives you that 'extra' hand that you need/want when you are soldering.
Needle nose pliers general all purpose tool.  good for crimping if you don't have a crimp tool.  good for bending parts, etc. 
Tweezers Get some!  They really help in picking up the smaller parts.
Tackle Box Buy this first... that way you have a place for all of those random parts.  Things get messy pretty quick once you open up all of the pretty baggies.
Solderless Breadboard This is another nice-to-have if you are going to experiement with electronics.  Especially when you are first learning.

For more tools and supplies that you may want, i suggest you read the Robot Building for Beginners book.  It does a great job of outlining the general tools and knowledge that you want to have when building WiMo.