New boards are looking good
We got a few new add-on boards (aka "shields") together the week before Maker Faire, and I've finally had some time to take some nice photos and show them off.
Flutter Explorer
The Flutter Explorer (previously called the R/C Shield) is our "kitchen sink" board - we've thrown everything into it.
It can control 4 servos, 3 high current DC loads such as solenoids and pumps, has several connectors based on Seeed Studio's "Grove" connector system for easy plug-and play use with a variety of sensors, displays (including color OLED), and more. It also features a loud piezo buzzer, DC barrel jack, USB full size B port, and 2-pin JST connector for lithium battery.
The Explorer accepts a solar panel as shown in this video.
Full Feature List
4x Servo outputs
3x High current switches (MOSFET) with flyback diodes
1x Piezo Buzzer
1x 5.5 x 2.1mm DC Barrel Jack
1x Full size USB B port2x 4-pin digital "Grove" connectors
1x 4-pin I2C "Grove" connector
1x 4-pin Serial "Grove" connector
1x 5-pin SPI Grove-style connector
3x 4-pin Analog "Grove" connector1x 2-pin JST connector for Lithium polymer battery
Visit the store page for the Explorer now.
Flutter Remote Control
The new Remote Control board rev 1 is in and it's amazing. 12 buttons total and two analog sticks, plus an 18650 battery holder. It's even got two I2C plugs that work with displays, gyro sensors, and more.
We use the Remote Control to drive Scout, our first robot design. There's 8 face buttons, two shoulder buttons, two clicky sticks, 4 analog axes, and two I2C ports for displays, gyro sensors, and more. And of course with Flutter onboard it runs open source code on its 64MHz ARM chip and has wireless with 1km range. If it's not the nicest Arduino based remote control ever made, it's close.
We'll be swapping out those face buttons for something easier to click, and adding some silkscreen labels and artwork.
It's got clips for an 18650 battery on the rear, which is exellent. 18650 batteries are readily available online, have lots of capacity, and can be quickly swapped out and safely stored in a pack without risk of shorting.
We plan to build a nicer housing for the controller down the road that will encapsulate the PCB and cover the PCB buttons with thumb-friendly plastic buttons. You'll be able to choose whether you want to print a version with buttons or a d-pad on either side.
See the store page for the Remote Control board now.
