Pololu 3pi+ 32U4 Robot Kit with 30:1 MP Motors (Standard Edition Kit)

The Pololu 3pi+ 32U4 robot is a complete, high-performance mobile platform based on the Arduino-compatible ATmega32U4 MCU, and this kit contains all the parts you need to build the Standard Edition version, including a pair of 30:1 MP 6V Micro Metal Gearmotors. The many features of the 3pi+ include dual quadrature encoders for closed-loop speed or position control, line sensors, front bump sensors, and a full IMU (3-axis accelerometer, magnetometer, and gyro), all packed into a robot that can fit within the palm of your hand. This product is a kit; assembly (including soldering) is required.

Overview

The 3pi+ 32U4 is a versatile, high-performance, user-programmable robot that measures just 9.7 cm (3.8″) in diameter. At its heart is an ATmega32U4 AVR microcontroller from Microchip (formerly Atmel), and like  A-Star 32U4 programmable controllers, the 3pi+ 32U4 features a USB interface and ships preloaded with an Arduino-compatible bootloader, so all you need to program it is a USB A to Micro-B cable (not included). A software add-on is available that makes it easy to program the robot from the Arduino environment, and we have Arduino libraries and example sketches to help get you started. For advanced users who want to customize or enhance their robots with additional peripherals, the robot’s power rails, power system controls, and microcontroller’s I/O lines can be accessed via several 0.1″-pitch expansion ports.

3pi+ 32U4 Robot, front view.

3pi+ 32U4 Robot, side view.

3pi+ 32U4 Robot, rear view.

The 3pi+ (or 3𝜋+) features two H-bridge motor drivers and a variety of integrated sensors, including a pair of quadrature encoders for closed-loop motor control, a complete inertial measurement unit (3-axis accelerometer, gyro, and magnetometer), five downward-facing reflectance sensors for line-following or edge-detection, and left and right bump sensors along the front face of the robot. Three on-board pushbuttons offer a convenient interface for user input, and an LCD, buzzer, and indicator LEDs allow the robot to provide feedback.

The robot also features a unique power system that runs the motors at a constant 8 V independent of the battery charge level, so the speed of the motors does not vary with the battery voltage.

What else you will need

• four AAA batteries: the 3pi+ robot works with both alkaline and NiMH batteries, though we recommend rechargeable NiMH cells
• a USB A to Micro-B cable to connect the robot to your computer for programming and debugging

Details 

This product is the kit version of the Standard Edition 3pi+ 32U4 Robot. Assembly (including soldering) is required.

3pi+ 32U4 Robot Kit (Standard or Turtle Edition).

This kit includes:

• 3pi+ Chassis Kit
• 3pi+ 32U4 Control Board
• two 30:1 MP 6V Micro Metal Gearmotors with extended motor shafts
• one 8×2 character LCD

Comparison with the original 3pi

Original Pololu 3pi robot.

The 3pi+ 32U4 offers many major improvements over the original 3pi, including:

• ATmega32U4 microcontroller with Arduino-compatible bootloader can be programmed directly through a USB connection
• Quadrature encoders on both motors for closed-loop position and speed control
• Full 9-axis IMU (three-axis gyro, accelerometer, and compass)
• Bottom-loading battery holders keep batteries accessible even if additional levels are added
• Full wrap-around bumper to protect electronics from collisions
• Two bump sensors on the front

The 3pi+ 32U4 uses a different microcontroller with different pin mappings compared to the older 3pi, and some of the software library interfaces are different, so programs written for the original 3pi will not work on the 3pi+ 32U4 without modification.

Dimensions

General specifications

Notes:

1. Of assembled assembled robot without batteries.