Quick Update: MBAR

Just a quick update:

I've ordered a propeller unit from the Parallax website (www.parallax.com), cant wait for it to arrive!
its leaving Cali right now, so I should get it sometime around next week, meanwhile I even had an Idea for a future project:

A Pseudo-Neural network of parallax MCUs! Imagine the possibilities of about 3 or 4 Propellers fully communicating with each other,

Is that how the Robot take-over begins? lets find out... muahahaha.

Project Update: MBAR

So here goes the first of many bumps on the road:

Which Microprocessor to use?
I am an avid fan of the Arduino, however I just recently came across a Propeller MCU, which seems to have much better functionality. Here are some pros and cons, in my view:

Arduino Pros:

• Simple, C language programming.
• Lower Power Consumption ( will be an issue when going completely autonomous)
• Very broad documentation and community base.
• Price & Availability ( I already have one, but I'm looking to get one of the new Megas)

Arduino Cons:

• 16 Mhz clock
• Only one core ( can't multi-task, this is a real issue)
• Any add-ons to actual functionality are expensive and separate

Propeller Pros:

• 8 Cores!! Thats right, 8 cores. nuff said for multi-tasking.
• Up to 80 Mhz (with 5 Mhz crystal) That's a lot more processing power than the Arduino.
• Completely compatible with any sensor that works with the 'Duino
• (Semi-Pro) Price, $50.
• Comes with VGA-Out and SD-Card slot on board!
• 32-bit processing, as opposed to 'Duino's 8-bit

Propeller Cons:

• I've never programmed in Propeller, so it might take a little
• Not AS MUCH documentation, but still pretty good.
• Only 32 I/O, While the Mega can get up to 64 I/O

An Addon: I just read news that said there is a Propeller II coming out soon in 2011, it includes:

• Up to 160 Mhz Clock
• 92 I/O, all with ADC and DAC, Pull-up/Push-down resistors, amond other things.

Seems like it would be interesting to wait a little.

EDIT: Propeller II Feature-List

Welcome to TASD

Hey guys, I finally got the motivation to start a blog. Here goes a little about me and this blog's goals:

I am a male, 19 years old, I am currently in college, and I love tinkering on my spare time.

A couple of projects I have built, and will soon revamp include and Arduino-based obstacle avoidance robot, and an optic multi-touch screen.

I am looking to be an electrical/mechanical engineering major, later to specialize on my passion: Robotics.

In this blog, I will post regularly about projects I am taking up.

Some ideas in my head:
-MapBot v2.0

-Bigger Multi-touch Screen

-A Valveless Pulse-Jet engine, and perhaps a Turbo-Jet engine as well.

-A turbo-powered Go-kart ( with one of the Jets mentioned above)

-A red-oak Longbow, aiming for #50 @ 28"

I will start these projects one by one, and provide a walk-through with documentation about each one.

Let's hope I can keep up with this!