iRobot Create

This is an unmodified iRobot Create with Command Module (the small green attachment).

iRobot Create is a hobbyist robot manufactured by iRobot that is based on the Roomba platform and was introduced in 2007. However, iRobot Create is explicitly designed for robotics development, rather than simply hacking the Roomba. In place of the vacuum hardware of the Roomba, the Create includes a cargo bay which houses a 25 pin port that can be used for digital and analog input and output. The Create also possesses a serial port through which sensor data can be read and motor commands can be issued using the iRobot Roomba Open Interface protocol.

The platform accepts virtually all accessories designed for iRobot's domestic robots and can also be programmed with the addition of a small "command module" (a microcontroller with a USB connector and four DE-9 expansion ports).

Controller

Due to the limitations in storage space and processing power of the iRobot Command Module, many choose to utilize an external computer in controlling the Create robot. Since the built-in serial port supports the transmission of sensor data and can receive actuation commands, any embedded computer that supports serial communication can be used as the control computer. Popular choices include the gumstix line of computers and netbooks.

A number of robot interface server / simulators support the iRobot Create. Most notably, the Player Project have long included a device interface for the Roomba, and has recently developed a Create interface in Player 2.1. The Universal Real-time Behavior Interface (URBI) environment also contains a Create interface.

The Microsoft Robotics Studio and the Webots simulation environment contain IRobot Create models.

Community

A team of iRobot Create robots at the Human-Automation Systems Lab, Georgia Institute of Technology.

iRobot with mounted camera and minicomputer

Simulation of an iRobot Create in Webots

Due to its small size and low cost, the iRobot Create is popular in the robotic research community. In particular, research projects in the area of multi-robot networks favors the Create robot. Examples:

• Autonomy Laboratory, Simon Fraser University (R. Vaughan) -emergent object clustering behavior. Website
• Human-Automation Systems Laboratory, Georgia Institute of Technology - Persistent Formation Control for Multi-Robot Networks.
• The iRobot Create was given out in parts kits for the International Botball Competition between 2007 and 2009
• The iRobot Create is used as the main platform for the Autonomous Robotics course at Brown University.
• The iRobot Create and a simulator developed in MATLAB are used in the Autonomous Mobile Robots course at Cornell University. Website
• LAIRS Laboratory, University at Buffalo (Dick Leebo) -Attitude and Angular Velocity Estimation Research.

See also

• Lego Mindstorms
• Robotis Bioloid
• Vex Robotics Design System
• Big Trak
• Turtle (robot)

External links

• iRobot's Create home page
• C# CreateOI Framework, Open Source C# Programming Framework for iRobot Create
• emss iRobot Create Framework, Open Source C++ Programming Framework for iRobot Create
• COIL, Open Source C Programming Framework for iRobot Create
• iRobot Create DCF Driver Java API for iRobot Create
• Create-Info.Org - the Wiki for the iRobot Create Programmable Robot.
• Element Direct - accessories and add-on's iRobot Create Programmable Robot.
• Adding vision to the iRobot Create, information on interfacing a Create to an Xport Botball Controller (which includes vision and other capabilities)
• Sourcecode, Sensor Help, and even a FREE Remote Control Application with an ActiveX interface to help you get started.
• iRobot Create Simulator, MATLAB-based 2-D Simulator