iRobot Introduces the iRobot Create!

A robust, programmable Robot platform that invites you to stretch your imagination

by Tom Atwood

iRobot, a pioneering robot company that has sold millions of iRobot Roomba vacuuming robots, has introduced a remarkable robot platform that fills a major gap.

Top view without the optional Command Module installed. Note the mounting points along the rims of the payload bay.

An optional 4th wheel can be mounted to the lower white panel.

The iRobot Create is a dependable, rugged and versatile robot base that can be used for uncounted robotics hobby and research applications. It includes a selection of software routines developed for iRobot’s commercial appliance bots and a well-engineered, robust chassis designed for longevity. Many will consider this to be a DIY-roboticist’s dream come true.  

   Detail of Command Module top.

  Command Module underside with connector.

Here, we offer a summary of the iRobot Create’s features in this First Look, initial comments by contributing editor Dan Lynch (who has been playing with one for a few days as of this post) and an interesting overview of applications designed for this new robot platform by iRobot employees worldwide. Stay tuned for an in-depth feature article in the Summer 2007 issue of Robot.

The iRobot Create comes fully assembled. It has 32 built-in sensors, two powered wheels, a castor (and optional 4th wheel), 10 pre-programmed behaviors, an expandable input/ouput port for custom sensors and actuators, a cargo bay with mounting points and a tailgate for ballast. This new bot platform works with optional accessories such as the iRobot Command Module, iRobot Roomba Virtual Wall units, the self-charging home base, and iRobot Roomba standard remote. You can use the Roomba rechargeable battery options or standard alkaline batteries. You’ll need a computer with a serial port (USB connectivity is expected soon) and Microsoft Windows XP, Linux or Mac OS X.

The iRobot Roomba-style wheels feature cleats and a robust suspension.

The iRobot Roomba Virtual Wall can be sensed by the iRobot Create and used as a waypoint or destination.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

By Dan Lynch

An optical sensor from Radio Shack used by Dan Lynch in an initial programming experiment.

The iRobot Create provides a robust platform for you to create your ultimate robot. It is based on the iRobot Roomba autonomous robot, which has been available for several years. We reap the benefit of that engineering with a solid mechanical base and integrated sensors. Right out of the box, it has 10 built-in programs that demonstrate some of its capabilities utilizing its sensors. This platform allows you to program new robot behaviors without having to worry about mechanical assembly and low level code. 

iRobot has accomplished this through the iRobot Create’s Open Interface which contains a set of commands for movement, sound, displays (LEDs), sensor inputs, etc. These Open Interface based programs can be used to control the iRobot Create using a serial connection from a PC, or microprocessor such as the opti0nal iRobot Command Module. It has a Cargo Bay for electronic connections or storage and mounting brackets for attachments of your choice.

I had the opportunity to install the Command Module, which plugs into the Cargo Bay area. This module is powered by an Atmel AVR ATMega 168 microcontroller and has four 9-pin expansion ports to be used to add additional sensors or control other attachments. Programs to control the iRobot Create are written in C or C++  using the WinAVR editor/compiler on your PC.

The documentation that was provided was excellent. I was able to install the WinAVR software on my XP computer, then compile one of the three sample programs, and load it into the Command module via a USB cable without scratching my head on what to do next. After downloading each of the sample programs and seeing them run, it was time to see how easy it was to modify the code.

Since I am familiar with C, I was able to quickly understand the flow and it was easy to make some simple changes to the frequency of lights blinking or the song that was played for a particular action. What I liked about the whole process was that I could see the results of my changes rather quickly.

The next step after this was to enhance the Create’s capabilities by building a light detection sensor. The documentation explained what you needed to build a light sensor and how it would interact with one of the sample programs. For just under 5 dollars, I was able to change the behavior of this robot. I started it up in a dark room, and it would wander the house in autonomous mode looking for a source of light. When it found a lit light, it would stop and sound an alarm until I pressed a button. Even though it was annoying to my wife, my son thought it was cool. He would get a flash light and in a dark room let it wonder around for awhile then shine a light on it just for fun.

In my opinion, the iRobot team has done an excellent job at providing a foundation to get you started in the world of robotics. I plan on getting the rechargeable battery pack, docking station, and virtual wall sensors to expand the functionality and capabilities of this platform. There is a huge advantage starting a project with a well established robot base. You can focus your energies exploring ideas and not be distracted with the basics.

My son is already asking me if we can attach a robotic arm so that it will pick things up and place it in the Cargo Bay area. A very ambitious endeavor for a young boy who refuses to pick things up on his own! I have not shown him a photo of such a robot created by an employee at iRobot, mainly because I would not get any sleep until I was able to duplicate it. The hardest thing about the iRobot Create is trying to narrow the many ideas that immediately start flowing through your mind. You'll an to get started on your ultimate robot!

GALLERY OF IROBOT CREATE APPLICATIONS

iRobot employees developed a number of applications to show what iRobot Create can do.  From top clockwise: an iRobot Create application with a DVD and display that drives around a public space and encourages customers to follow it back to a store for which it is advertising, a robot that picks up clothing off the floor, an arm based robot that can grab cans out of the refrigerator, a hamster powered iRobot Create, a laser tag robot equipped with WiFi and a video camera, and a floor writing robot.

Left: This iRobot Create application can open the door of a refrigerator and grab a can of soda. 

Right: An iRobot Create application that is a robot sales person that drives around a public space and encourages customers to follow it back to a store for which it is advertising. It has a DVD display on its top side that shows videos to attract customers or advertise products.

By running in the sphere the hamster will control where the Bionic Hamster iRobot Create robot moves, and the robot’s speed.

Left: Tired of picking up your room?  MaidBot is the answer.  This iRobot Create application has a robot arm on it that can sense when there is something on the floor and will use its gripper/arm to pick it up. Right: After sensing the item on the floor, the iRobot Create application uses its gripper/arm to pick it up. 

Left: For this iRobot Create application, a laundry basket is screwed onto the robot and an iRobot Roomba Virtual Wall is modified to be worn around the ankle. The user uses the virtual wall and the iRobot Create omni-lens to keep the robot following close behind so you don't have to carry your laundry.

Right: One iRobot Create application draws any computer bitmap pattern on the floor using different kinds of powder. The robot uses an iRobot Create for the base and contains parts from an inkjet printer to place the powder on the ground.

Two iRobot Create robots are equipped with Wi-Fi and cameras for teleoperation. In a game of laser tag, the lights are used to signal "hits."

iRobot, www.irobot.com, (800) 727-9077