What can I use the Adept AmigoBot robot for?
The AmigoBot mobile robot was intended for research and education. Designed by Adept, AmigoBot is their smallest research and education robot. Both strong and powerful , it really was imagined from a classroom and university lab perspective.
Weighing just 3.6 kg , you’ll find it very easy to move, allowing you to use it wherever you like. The robot comes already assembled and ready for use. Once programmed, it can move about all on its own in an environment strewn with obstacles.
Simply ask it to move from point A to point B. It’s smarter than a small mobile robot, so all you have to do is tell it which path to take. Normally with a mobile robot you need to program it in autonomous navigation mode with obstacle avoidance, then see where this takes you. There are a variety of different AmigoBot accessories available, creating opportunities for new and interesting applications.
If you add a camera, for example, it can create a map of the room in which it’s found while moving objects about on its back ( weighing up to 1 kg ) on a slope with a gradient of up to 5% .
Why is it particularly good for research and universities?
This robot runs on the ROS (Robot Operating System) standard , which means you can use your codes on all other ROS-compatible robots. You therefore have immediate access to a wide range of programs already written by other Adept AmigoBot users. The AmigoBot SDK and libraries (MobileSim and ARIA) make programming easier. You’ll be able to program with C++ or Java. What’s more, you can use calculation and programming software like MathLab , or the Python and Java languages.
Watch a group of Amigobot collecting and gathering some objects, impressive!
What do I get for my money?
The AmigoBot robot is designed to be as robust and reliable as possible. Its structure allows it to climb over obstacles standing 1.5 cm high , and it has an autonomy of 2 to 3 hours . It includes a wireless module meaning you can program it and control the execution of your code remotely from your computer.
The robot uses its 8 sonars to pinpoint its location in the room and make navigation in a crowded space easier. You can also add accessories to increase its number of functionalities. As for programming, you’ll find this child’s play thanks to the Adept’s large user community.
And if you come up against the slightest problem with your robot, whether in terms of software or hardware, their customer service is very responsive.
Accessories for the Amigobot
- Wireless module (already included when you buy the robot)
- Passive gripper for moving certain objects
- Surveillance camera to see where the robot is (it’s wireless, which is a real plus)
- Joystick for easy manual robot control
What we think
AmigoBot is a powerful mobile robot that will perform extremely well without breaking the bank. It’s an excellent robotics platform for those new to ROS programming and for learning autonomous navigation . If you need to carry heavier objects over a longer distance, you might want to try one of Adept’s other, more powerful robots, for example Seekur or the incredible PowerBot! Click on the link below to see the robots in action and get a better idea of what they can do.