iRobot Create
{{short description|Hobbyist robot based on the Roomba vacuum cleaner}}
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| name = iRobot Create
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| image = IRobotCreate.jpg
| caption = an unmodified iRobot Create with Command Module (small green attachment).
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| manufacturer = iRobot
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| type = robot
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| releasedate = {{Start date|2007}}
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| website = {{URL|edu.irobot.com}}
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iRobot Create is a hobbyist robot manufactured by iRobot that was introduced in 2007 and based on their Roomba vacuum cleaning platform. The iRobot Create is explicitly designed for robotics development and improves the experience beyond simply hacking the Roomba.{{cite web|last=Miller |first=Paul |url=https://www.engadget.com/2006/11/29/irobot-create-roomba-hacking-for-the-everyman/ |title=iRobot Create: Roomba hacking for the everyman |work=Engadget |date=2006-11-29 |accessdate=2013-01-29}}{{cite web|url=http://news.cnet.com/2100-1041_3-6147573.html |title=Build your own bot, courtesy of iRobot |first=Michael |last=Kanellos |publisher=CNET |date=2007-01-07 |accessdate=2013-01-29}} The Create replaces its Roomba predecessor's vacuum cleaner hardware with a cargo bay that also houses a DB-9 port providing serial communication, digital input & output, analog input & output, and an electric power supply.{{cite book|title=iRobot Create Open Interface (OI) Specification|date=2006|publisher=iRobot|page=4|url=http://www.irobot.com/filelibrary/pdfs/hrd/create/Create%20Open%20Interface_v2.pdf#page=4|accessdate=2014-05-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218160425/http://www.irobot.com/filelibrary/pdfs/hrd/create/Create%20Open%20Interface_v2.pdf#page=4|archive-date=2015-02-18|url-status=dead}} The Create also has a 7-pin Mini-DIN serial port through which sensor data can be read and motor commands can be issued using the iRobot Roomba Open Interface (ROI) protocol.{{cite web|url=http://www.linuxjournal.com/magazine/fun-irobot-create |title=Fun with the iRobot Create |work=Linux Journal |first=Zach |last=Banks |date=2009-05-01 |accessdate=2013-01-29}}
The platform accepts virtually all accessories designed for iRobot's second generation Roomba 400 Series domestic robots and can also be programmed with the addition of iRobot's own Command Module (a microcontroller with a USB connector and four DE-9 expansion ports). {{Asof|2013}}, the Command Module is no longer being sold.{{cite web|last=Fenlong|first=Wesley|title=10 Years of Roomba Hacks: From Magic Marker Art to Combat|url=http://www.tested.com/tech/robots/453965-magic-marker-art-kinect-10-years-roomba-hacks/|publisher=Tested.com|accessdate=8 May 2014|archive-date=8 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508224751/http://www.tested.com/tech/robots/453965-magic-marker-art-kinect-10-years-roomba-hacks/|url-status=dead}} In 2014, iRobot replaced the original model with the Create 2,{{Cite web|url=http://www.irobot.com/About-iRobot/STEM/Create-2.aspx|title=Create 2 Programmable Robot | iRobot|access-date=2015-01-12|archive-date=2015-01-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109212747/http://www.irobot.com/About-iRobot/STEM/Create-2.aspx|url-status=dead}} which is constructed from the chassis of remanufactured 600-series Roombas; instead of replacing the old command module, iRobot encourages the use of commodity single-board micro-controllers like Arduino and single-board computers like Raspberry Pi to provide additional processing power.
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.{{citation needed|date=January 2013}} 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.
A number of robot interface server / simulators support the iRobot Create. Most notably, the Player Project has long included a device interface for the Roomba,{{cite web|last=Gerkey|first=Brian|title=Player 2.0.0 Manual; roomba [Drivers]|url=http://playerstage.sourceforge.net/doc/Player-2.0.0/player/group__driver__roomba.html|accessdate=8 May 2014|date=2005-09-12}} and developed a Create interface in Player 2.1.{{cite web|last=Gerkey|first=Brian|title=Player 2.1 Manual; create [Drivers]|url=http://playerstage.sourceforge.net/doc/Player-2.1.0/player/group__driver__create.html|accessdate=8 May 2014|date=2005-09-12}} The Universal Real-time Behavior Interface (URBI) environment also contains a Create interface.{{cite web |url=http://www.circuitsmadeeasy.com/index.php?Itemid=79&id=0&limit=30&limitstart=30&option=com_content&task=blogsection |title=Programming Tools |publisher=CircuitsMadeEasy.com |accessdate=2013-01-29 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827100611/http://www.circuitsmadeeasy.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=0&Itemid=79&limit=30&limitstart=30 |archivedate=2013-08-27 }}
The Microsoft Robotics Studio and the Webots simulation environment contain iRobot Create models.{{cite web|url=http://www.neoseeker.com/news/6649-/ |title=iRobot "Create" Platform |publisher=Neoseeker |first=William |last=Henning |date=2007-04-04 |accessdate=2013-01-29}}{{cite journal |url=http://cs.oberlin.edu/mcurcsm2009/files/papers/07-Create-ing%20a%20Simulator.pdf |title=Create-ing a Robot Simulator |publisher=Oberlin College |journal=Kalamazoo College |year=2009 |accessdate=2013-01-29 |first=Alec |last=Hoxsey |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100804005557/http://cs.oberlin.edu/mcurcsm2009/files/papers/07-Create-ing%20a%20Simulator.pdf |archivedate=2010-08-04 }}
Versions
iRobot has released multiple versions of the Create robot.
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Version !Release Date !Differences from Previous Iteration !Notes |
| iRobot Create
|2004 |N/A |Based on iRobot Roomba 400 |
| iRobot Create 2
|Safer electronics. Allows Create 2 to be sold outside the US |Based on iRobot Roomba 500/600{{Cite web |last=Industries |first=Adafruit |title=iRobot Create® 2 Programmable Robot |url=https://www.adafruit.com/product/2388 |access-date=2022-06-21 |website=www.adafruit.com |language=en-US}} |
| iRobot Create 3
|ROS2 built in. WiFi, USB, Ethernet, Bluetooth. New sensors including an IMU & optical floor tracking. |Based on iRobot Roomba i3{{Cite web |date=2022-04-05 |title=iRobot Launches Create 3, with ROS 2 Built In |url=https://spectrum.ieee.org/irobot-create-3 |access-date=2022-06-21 |website=IEEE Spectrum |language=en}} |
Community
File:Simulation of an iRobot Create in Webots.png
The iRobot Create is popular in the robotic research and hobbyist community. Some examples of iRobot create projects:
- The iRobot Create has been included in parts kits for the International Botball Competition since 2007.{{cite web |url=http://www.botball.org/engineering |title=Engineering Tools |publisher=Botball Educational Robotics Program |accessdate=2013-01-29 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403121455/http://www.botball.org/engineering |archivedate=2013-04-03 }}
- The iRobot Create is model in the Webots robotics simulator {{cite web |url=https://www.cyberbotics.com/doc/guide/create |title=Robotics |publisher=Cyberbotics |accessdate=2018-06-06 |url-status=dead |archivedate=2018-06-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141044/https://www.cyberbotics.com/doc/guide/create }}
- The iRobot Create is used as the main platform for the Autonomous Robotics course at Brown University.{{cite web |url=http://brown-robotics.org/wp/ |title=Robotics |publisher=Brown University |accessdate=2013-01-29 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130128102401/http://brown-robotics.org/wp/ |archivedate=2013-01-28 }}
- The iRobot Create and a simulator developed in MATLAB are used in the Autonomous Mobile Robots course at Cornell University.{{cite web|url=http://web.mae.cornell.edu/hadaskg/courses/mae4180.html |title=MAE 4180/5180: Autonomous Mobile Robots |publisher=Cornell University |first=Hadas |last=Kress-Gazit |date=2013-01-22 |accessdate=2013-01-29}}
- For {{USD|500}}, hacker Johnny Chung Lee created a Telepresence robot using the iRobot Create and a netbook.{{cite web|last=Eaton |first=Kit |url=http://www.fastcompany.com/1726174/500-irobot-hack-lets-you-be-two-places-once |title=$500 iRobot Hack Lets You Be Two Places at Once |work=Fast Company |date=2011-02-10 |accessdate=2013-01-29}}
- Combining the iRobot Create with an Xbox Kinect, student Philipp Robbel created a 3D mapping robot.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/11/gesture-controlled-3d-mapping-robot-just-add-kinect |magazine=Wired |first=Tim |last=Carmody |date=2010-11-18 |accessdate=2013-01-29 |title=Control a 3-D–Mapping Robot With Gestures? Just Add Kinect}}
=Competition=
In 2007 iRobot hosted the "Create Challenge", offering {{USD|5000}} with the goal of creating an "innovative robot that's functional, helpful, entertaining, whimsical or simply amazing".{{cite web|url=http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/irobot-contest-rules-20050515,1601.html |title=iRobot Create Contest Rules |publisher=Tom's Hardware |date=2007-05-14 |accessdate=2013-01-29}} The winner was Danh Trinh, with their "Personal Home Robot" which "reminds owners to take their medication, turns lights on and off, and controls appliances."{{cite web |first=K.C. |last=Jones |url=http://www.informationweek.com/personal-home-robot-wins-irobots-create/202800384 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130216065016/http://www.informationweek.com/personal-home-robot-wins-irobots-create/202800384 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-02-16 |title=Personal Home Robot Wins iRobot's Create Challenge |work=InformationWeek |date=2007-10-30 |accessdate=2013-01-29 }}{{cite web|last=Melanson |first=Donald |url=https://www.engadget.com/2007/10/30/irobot-announces-winner-of-create-challenge-contest |title=iRobot announces winner of Create Challenge contest |work=Engadget |date=2007-10-30 |accessdate=2013-01-29}}
See also
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Official website|http://edu.irobot.com}}
{{IRobot}}