Wow! It certainly been a while since I wrote a recommendation article for Robot Overlord. Well unlike the recommendation articles I wrote weeks ago, today's recommendation article focuses on another type of robotics board. Now, before Arduino, and PIXAXE boards appeared, many robotists loved to use this device. The device had an easy to understand language, an on board breadboard to add more components, and it could be used with a very sleek robotics kit. Today I'm talking about Parallax's Basic Stamp Board.
I actually remembered messing around with this robotics board when I was taking engineering classes at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. I used this robotics board to create a robot to navigate around a maze. My robot completed the maze in 5 minutes and 21 seconds. I even become known as one of the best programmers in the class.Good times, good times. But enough about me, let's talk about the board.
The Basic Stamp Board uses Parallax's Basic Stamp modules. You can program these modules using Pbasic, or Parallax's Basic to be short. As you can imagine, Pbasic is just another version of the basic language used to program other robotics boards like PICAXE boards. What I loved about Pbasic is that it's a very easy programming language to get into. Also, it provides enough knowledge to allow you to use the Basic language. So, what makes this board so special from Arduino and PICAXE boards. One word; easy learning curve. Anyone who never used a robotics board or did any form of programming can dive deep into the Basic Stamp Board. It took me five minutes for me to setup the classic “LED Blinking” program onto the board. Another reason why I recommend this robotics board is the ability to quickly add components to the board. For example, in order to add components to an Arduino board, you need to buy the protoshield, assemble the protoshield, solder the components for the protoshield, and attach it to the arduino board. The Basic Stamp Board cuts that time in half with an onboard breadboard, which will save you $20 in the long run. But, one of the biggest reasons why I am recommending this board is because of the Boe Bot kit. The Boe Bot kit is considered the “Holy Grail” of robotics with its amazing design, and its ability to add more parts to it. The Boe Bot Kit even has a new addon which allows your bot to follow any black line.
However, I do have one major complaint about the board. Two words; price tag. A lot of people are put off by the Basic Stamp's module price, and that's not including the carrier board! It's no wonder why many people use Arduino boards these days. I'm pretty sure if Parallax's lower the price tag for this item, more and more people will flock to the board. If you want to learn more about the board, visit Parallax's website.
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