BBot! A remote controlled robot that talks, sees and serves drinks at the pool! And is hilarious! This open source robot design is based on the BeagleBone Black micro embedded Linux computer and has a low cost FPGA cape attached. Embedded Linux coupled with an FPGA can dramatically augment any DIY electronics design - the possibilities are practically endless when these two technologies are combined. We'll be discussing this robot's software and hardware architecture as well as highlight some of the amazing capabilities of such a platform! Come learn about these two affordable and important next generation DIY technologies!

Featuring the ValentF(x) Mark 1 FPGA Board integrated with a BeagleBone Black embedded Linux minicomputer, this open source robot design is a great reference for advanced DIY robotics enthusiasts!

With the novel goal of serving beverages poolside, this hilarious remote controlled robot can interact with customers through wireless video and audio, display information about drink specials, crack jokes using the voice of Stephen Hawking, and drive the contents of its cooler around with a range of 1000 meters!

Coupling the power and flexibility of FPGAs with an embedded Linux software and hardware stack opens up some very interesting possibilities for DIY robotics.  The fact that sophisticated electronics and software platforms are now readily available and extremely affordable for the average DIY’er makes this a unique time for hackers everywhere

All that’s typically needed are some good examples of what’s possible!  Here’s a list of some fun electronics / software features the BBot reference design includes:  

• It has a Microsoft .NET graphical user interface that uses Windows Presentation Foundation and follows the proliferous Model, View, ViewMode  l (MVVM) design pattern.
• There is a real-time, C++ control program that runs on the BeagleBone Black under Angstrom Linux. 
• The design has wireless communications of video, audio and control data between the .NET GUI and the embedded control program.
• The Mark 1 board runs an FPGA design that interfaces signals from many of the robot’s hardware devices to the real-time control program.
• On the BBot’s mini display a Qt based graphics program runs and is made possible by the BeagleBone Black’s HDMI video subsystem. 
• A camera with a servo driven pan and tilt mount can also be controlled and viewed from the GUI.
• There are various other small systems that can be controlled from the GUI like an alarm buzzer that can be sounded when people try to steal drinks!

Here you can find a block diagram and source code for his project.  The BBot can be found doing what he does best, bringing you beer in style, along with many other tricks.  Check out Andy's bio and description of his project on the makerfaire site.  Source code for BBot can be found on Andy's Github repository.