Who is Edison for?
Edison is for students of all ages and also for both beginner and experienced hobbyists. You can buy a single robot and learn computer programming just like other robotics systems which can cost much, much more. Edison is a great resource for teachers as classroom sets are now very affordable for schools – it’s now possible to have one robot per student. Edison is modular and LEGO® compatible. He provides a scalable way to build any size robotic invention.
Edison is the perfect teaching and learning robot for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) activities!
What can Edison do?
Edison is full of amazing features and functionality.
Edison has:
infrared obstacle detectors (left and right)
line tracking sensor
light sensors (left and right)
infrared receiver
infrared transmitter
piezo sounder
sound sensor
two motors with variable speeds
left and right red LED lights
and three control buttons
Edison can:
navigate his way around by detecting obstacles to his left or right
be controlled by a standard TV/DVD remote
follow a line or stay within a border
follow a flashlight
communicate with another Edison using infrared light – robot swarms anyone?!!
play beeps and musical tunes
respond to clapping and other loud sounds
move in any direction through his differential drive system
EdWare
EdWare is a fun way to start learning computer programming.
This simple ‘drag and drop’ graphical programming language uses CONTROL,READ, DATA and FLOW instructions that are linked together in a logical ’flowchart’ style.
Advanced programming is just a mouse click away – up to 1000 command icons can be used in a single program. Sophisticated programs using 16-bit maths and event interrupts can also control one Edison, or several Edisons operating together.
EdWare is a free open source program that runs on Mac, Linux, and Windows computers.
To upload your program to Edison, the supplied EdComm data cable is simply connected between your computer’s headphone jack and Edison. Then press PLAY and let Edison do the rest! You can find the included cable in the rear compartment of the robot where the batteries will be placed.
EdComm uses audio encoded data to transfer your program to Edison. This happens via your computer’s headphone socket, so no additional driver software is required to be installed.
If you want to learn more about how to control Edison – download the EdWare beta and try for yourself – it’s really easy to install, but you’ll need an Edison to run the program.
LEGO Compatibility
Edison has been designed, as not only a stand-alone robot but also as a modular robotics system that is easily expandable using LEGO® bricks.
Two or more Edisons can be connected together. For example, you can create a bulldozer, where the bottom Edison becomes the wheel driving mechanism and the top Edison controls the bucket tipper. The Edison is compatible with any standard Lego piece, so the possibilities are endless!
