Meet Tortuguita: The Open Source Robot You Can Build at Home
Are you a robotics enthusiast looking to tinker with something cool? Look no further! Jarmil Halamíček has innovatively created Tortuguita, a highly hackable, open-source tracked robot platform that allows anyone to dive into the world of robotics—without the hassle of dealing with complex components.
What’s in a Name?
In Spanish, Tortuguita means "Little Turtle," which is fitting for this adorable yet powerful little robot. Halamíček designed this platform to be modular and straightforward, meaning aspiring builders can focus on creating rather than getting bogged down by tedious technicalities like wiring motors or designing printed circuit boards (PCBs).
Robotics Made Easy
At the heart of Tortuguita is the impressive Raspberry Pi Zero WH single-board computer, which serves as its brain. It runs on Raspberry Pi OS and is equipped with a Raspberry Pi Camera Module v2 for capturing images and video. The robot features independently-controllable tank-like tracks powered by 12V geared motors, making it nimble enough to navigate a range of terrains. The robot gets its juice from three lithium-ion 18650 cells, ensuring plenty of power for any adventure.
Design and Development
Halamíček has already done the heavy lifting with the initial hardware design, utilizing a mix of 3D-printable parts and cost-effective plywood for the robot’s body. He’s currently polishing the software stack, which combines Python, Flask, React, and Bootstrap. This blend allows you to create custom programs to control Tortuguita effortlessly.
Despite the effectiveness of the current software, Halamíček admits that the user experience (UX) isn’t the prettiest yet. He’s committed to enhancing it, saying, “I’m glad I made a decision to build a simple but powerful enough UX stack.” Fortunately, he aims to keep the process approachable for all skill levels.
Expand Your Creation
One standout feature of Tortuguita is its "PWM connector bay" located at the top. This makes it super easy for hobbyists to expand the robot’s capabilities—think grippers, NERF turrets, or whatever your imagination can cook up!
Get Involved
Interested in Tortuguita? You can find more information on the official website, where you can also purchase kits ranging from $199 for just the electronics to $399 for a complete setup. If you’re the DIY type, head over to GitLab, where the hardware and software are open for modifications under various licenses. And don’t forget to check out the project updates on Hackaday.io!
Conclusion
The Tortuguita is not just a robot—it’s a gateway to creativity and innovation for hobbyists and tech lovers of all ages. Whether you want to build from scratch or use pre-designed kits, the opportunities are endless.
The AI Buzz Hub team is excited to see where these breakthroughs take us. Want to stay in the loop on all things AI? Subscribe to our newsletter or share this article with your fellow enthusiasts.
