Gumstix, Inc. Introduces the $99 RoboVero™ Controller Board
Jul 19, 2011, 08:00 ET
SAN JOSE, Calif., July 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With a 32-bit Cortex-M3 processor running at 120MHz, the super-fast RoboVero™ controller board is changing the way roboticists build and debug their designs. Featuring an LPC 1769 from NXP Semiconductors, N.V., the RoboVero controller board is provided with buttons, LEDs, sensors (3-axes each of linear, magnetic, and rotational measurements) and standard controller board interfaces (PWM, A/D, CAN, I2C, SPI, UART). On-board space is available to piggyback an Overo® COM, available separately and running Linux® at speeds up to 1GHz.
The new HubCommander™ interface connects the LPC 1769 to the Overo COM over USB, but also allows them both to be commandeered by an off-board computer. This lets a roboticist use Linux on an Overo COM for planning, and a RoboVero controller for managing actuators and sensors. Connecting to the board using either wireless-LAN or a USB cable even allows debugging with JTAG.
Gumstix has released software for programming and running the device: A USB console provides a command-line interface to a sample set of NXP libraries. The Python Client Library and Arduino™ Compatibility Layer facilitate fast, and powerful, hosted development. Free and open-source GCC, OpenOCD, and GDB packages compile, flash, and debug Cortex-M3 software from an Overo COM. This means all aspects of software development, whether high- level programs in Python or bare-metal programs for the RoboVero, can occur on-board an un- tethered robot.
"The RoboVero board is the first in a new line of robotic and mechatronic controllers," says Dr. W. Gordon Kruberg, CEO of Gumstix Inc. "By launching the RoboVero, Gumstix brings fast and affordable processing to low-level control systems that can be tightly coupled to Linux supervisors, and a wealth of advanced open-source software."
The RoboVero controller weighs 32 grams, measures approximately 118 mm x 67 mm, and is available via www.gumstix.com for $99 in single quantities.
About Gumstix, Inc.
Founded in 2003, Gumstix, Inc. of San Jose California develops, manufactures and markets tiny Linux® computers and related products to corporate, military and hobbyist customers located in more than 50 countries worldwide. Design engineers integrate Gumstix technology into power management, location sensing, data collection, time and attendance, military, security and robotic applications.
For more information, visit www.gumstix.com.
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Gumstix Media Contact
Don Anderson
650.206.2464
[email protected]
SOURCE Gumstix, Inc.