Create
3 Comments

0.5 Hours

$600/unit

Beginner

iRobot has released an educational robot based on their popular roomba vacuum cleaner line. The robot, called the Create, has the same capabilities as the vacuum cleaner minus the vacuuming. In this recipe we show how to hook the Create up to a Qwerk, allowing you to program and control it at a distance.

Please note that you can complete this recipe in two different ways. In the first, the Qwerk and Create are powered by separate batteries. The advantages of this are that the Qwerk can be on without the Create being on, and the assembly process is easier. In the second case, the Qwerk is powered by the Create's internal battery. This is cheaper and cleaner, but requires that you solder a custom power cable. Steps for how to do either option are in step 3 of this recipe.

Also note that the Create standard package from iRobot does not include a battery pack, but is instead powered by D-cell batteries. We strongly suggest that you purchase the pack and charger from iRobot. See the optional parts section for a part number.

Required Tools

Optional Tools

Parts

Parts - Basic Recipe only

Parts - Advanced Recipe only

Optional Parts

Documents

Proceed to Step 1

REQUIRED TOOLS

Image	Tool	Source	Part Number	Price
	#1 Phillips Screwdriver	McMaster	5682A27	$3.20
	Scissors

OPTIONAL TOOLS - ONLY REQUIRED IF COMPLETING ADVANCED VERSION OF STEP 3

Image	Tool	Source	Part Number	Price
	5-Piece Basic Soldering Set	RadioShack	64-2802	$7.99
	Rosin Core Solder (8.0 Oz.)	RadioShack	64-007	$7.99

PARTS

Part	Source	Part Number	Quantity*	Price
Qwerk	CharmedLabs		1	$349
Qwerk Power Cable			1	Provided in Qwerk kit
Qwerk Serial Connector			1	Provided in Qwerk kit
Serial Cable with telephone jack (RJ11)			1	Provided in Qwerk kit
Create	iRobot	4400	1	$129
Create Serial Cable	iRobot	4814	1	included w/ Create
Logitech Communicate STX Camera or another supported camera	Amazon		1	$42.49
Zonet ZEW2501 802.11G Wireless 54MBPS USB Pen Drive Adapter or another supported wireless adapter	Amazon		1	$25.99
USB A Male Right Angle to USB A Female 3 Inch Adapter (USB 2.0)	Pacific Custom Cable	USBAMRAF-3IN	2	$8.00
Null Modem Adapter for Serial Cables - DB9 M/M	Computer Cable Store	9-9MMNM	1	$4.85
Zip Ties	McMaster	7130K52	10 / min 100	$2.15
Velcro Strips with adhesive backing, 3/4" thick	McMaster	9776K71	8 inches / min 5 feet	$5.86

PARTS FOR BASIC RECIPE - NO SOLDERING

Image	Part	Source	Part Number	Quantity*	Price
	RC Car Batteries 7.2V 1500mAH or similar	Tower Hobbies	LXERB4	1	$7.99
	NiCd battery charger	Tower Hobbies	LXJC33	1	$19.99
Approx. Total Cost of Parts (Basic Recipe)					~$600

PARTS FOR ADVANCED RECIPE - SOLDERING

Image	Part	Source	Part Number	Quantity*	Price
	Female Kyosho Battery Connector	Tower Hobbies	LXD171	1	$1.49
	DB25 Connector	Digikey	1225ME-ND	1	$2.09
Approx. Total Cost of Parts (Advanced Recipe)					~$575

OPTIONAL PARTS

Image	Part	Source	Part Number	Quantity*	Price
	Standard battery and charger	iRobot	4810	1	$69.99

*This is the quantity required for the recipe. In some cases, you will be subject to a minimum purchase of more than this quantity.

DOCUMENTS

Document Name	Size	Comment
Create.zip	894KB	Includes all recipe documentation

Proceed to Step 1

3 COMMENTS

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Displaying 1 through 3.

DB25 connector
ejtttje - 01:20pm Oct 10, 07

You can also get the DB25 connector (for "Advanced recipe") from Computer Cable Store, alongside the null modem adapter... saves having to pay another shipping fee from a different vendor.
http://www.computercablestore.com/detail.aspx?ID=105

Re: Controlling Create
Captain_LED This member is part of the TeRK team - 11:56am Jul 13, 07

The MyFirstRobot programming environment supports the Create. Take a look at CreateClient and the javadocs that come with MyFirstRobot.

How do you control the create?
Connor - 11:51am Jul 13, 07

What program are you using to send commands to the Create via it's SCI?

Displaying 1 through 3.

Proceed to Step 1