myRIO Robotics Kit

Originally from here.

The goal of this project is to lower the "getting started" barrier required to create electronics and robotics projects with National Instruments' myRIO. The myRIO Robotics Kit provides an entry-level system for students who are new to robotics to easily build robots and diagnose issues using the myRIO Scope Code in LabVIEW.

This kit will contain a number of MakerBeam and MakerBeam compatible parts, allowing users to quickly prototype robots. A custom circuit board with predefined ports for motors and grove sensors will further allow users to build robots with ease. In LabView, we created the myRIO Scope, which is a diagnostic tool allowing users to quickly and easily diagnose issues they may run into with their robot.

Circuit Board Design

The myRIO Robotics Kit contains a custom made circuitboard, the MakerBoard. This board is a cross between plug and play ports for servo motors and sensors, and open breadboard for students to create their own projects. The board has indicator LEDs and a Potentiometer to help with debugging, and a USB port for extra current delivery if needed.

Download our Gerber Files

Download the Eagle Files

Circuit boards can be designed using Eagle or Fritzing. Our PCB, makerBoard, was created in Eagle.

Links to helpful Eagle tutorials:

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Eagle downloads

myRio Scope

The myRIO Scope is a LabVIEW interface designed to make troubleshooting robotics projects easier. The scope code contains an oscilloscope with statistical analysis, analog lines to send signals to analog pins, function generator, and digital lines that can send PWM signals to servo motors. This allows students to troubleshoot issues without needing any additional technology.

For example, if a motor isn't working with the student's code, they can open up the myRIO scope code and send a PWM signal to it. If the motor starts moving, they know that the motor is functional and the issue is with their code. If the motor doesn't move, they know that their motor isn't functional and they need to get a new one.

Download the Scope Code here.
Download the Scope Code Documentation here.

Open the Web app by downloading this Zip File and opening "Scope Web Browser.html". This has only been tested in Firefox, Chrome, and Safari, and will not work in IE.

Kit Contents

The myRIO robotics kit is an all inclusive kit that allows users to design and build complex robotics systems. The kit contains MakerBeam extruded aluminum beams and assorted MakerBeam brackets to provide a strong build platform. The kit also includes a myRIO compatible battery, the MakerBoard Circuit board specifically designed for the myRIO robotics kit, continuous rotation and standard servos, and grove sensors. Custom Laser-cut mounts for all non-makerbeam compatible parts are also included for ease of build.

It is assumed that students using this kit have access to maker-spaces where they can fabricate their own parts based on what they need. All of the parts we created can be accessed and edited in OnShape and reproduced as needed.

To access the OnShape files for parts we created, click on the links in the below.

To download the files necessary to fabricate these parts (DXF or STL), click here.