Book Image

Raspberry Pi for Python Programmers Cookbook - Second Edition

Book Image

Raspberry Pi for Python Programmers Cookbook - Second Edition

Overview of this book

Raspberry Pi cookbook for Python Programmers is a practical guide for getting the most out of this little computer. This book begins by guiding you through setting up the Raspberry Pi, performing tasks using Python 3 and introduces the first steps to interface with electronics. As you work through each chapter you will build up your skills and knowledge and apply them as you progress throughout the book, delving further and further into the unique abilities and features of the Raspberry Pi. Later, you will learn how to automate tasks by accessing files, build applications using the popular Tkinter library and create games by controlling graphics on screen. You will harness the power of the built-in graphics processor by using Pi3D to generate your own high quality 3D graphics and environments. Connect directly to the Raspberry Pi’s hardware pins to control electronics from switching on LEDs and responding to push buttons right through to driving motors and servos. Learn how to monitor sensors to gather real life data and to use it to control other devices, and view the results over the Internet. Apply what you have learnt by creating your own Pi-Rover or Pi-Hexipod robots. Finally, we will explore using many of the purpose built add-ons available for the Raspberry Pi, as well as interfacing with common household devices in new ways.
Table of Contents (18 chapters)
Raspberry Pi for Python Programmers Cookbook - Second Edition
Credits
About the Author
About the Reviewer
www.PacktPub.com
Preface
Hardware and Software List
Index

Building a six-legged Pi-Bug robot


Controlling motors is very useful for creating vehicle-like robots, but creating more naturally behaving robot components such as servos can provide excellent results. There are many creative designs of insect-like robots, or even biped designs (with humanoid-like legs), that use servos to provide natural joint movements. The design in this example uses three servos, but these principles and concepts can easily be applied to far more complex designs, to control legs/arms that use multiple servos. The Pi-Bug robot is shown in the following image:

The six-legged Pi-Bug robot uses a servo driver to control three servos to scuttle around

Getting ready

You will need the following hardware:

  • A PWM driver module: A driver module such as the Adafruit 16-Channel 12-bit PWM/Servo Driver will be needed. This uses a PCA9685 device; see the datasheet at http://www.adafruit.com/datasheets/PCA9685.pdf for details.

  • 3 x micro servos: The MG90S 9g Metal Gear Servos provide a...