The Propeller 2 is the most awesome microcontroller I can get my hands on, so last year in January, I built one hundred modular mechatronics kits using the P2 Edge. This year, I'm making a book and planning a kit with Parallax. We haven't blown out a single Smart Pin which is a testament to Chip's design - I have the utmost confidence in this platform.
Professor Gavin Garner presented his mechatronics curriculum used in the University of Virginia Mechatronics course at our Propeller 2 Live Forum. Dr. Garner was an early adopter of Propeller 1 (and now Propeller 2) for his course and is currently producing a free book and kit with Parallax. Dr. Garner teaches first-order engineering principles through this hands-on course, using low-level programming and mechanical designs. In the video, he shares his lab, student projects, and the first prototype of the kit created last year. His laboratories are loaded with CNC machines and routers, 3D printers, laser cutters, sensors, motors, and electronics equipment of all types.
His students have built a number of projects including guitars, a jet kayak, and robots for NASA’s robotics mining competitions. Be sure to see his “Evolution of Mechanisms” mechatronics wall around 17:00 to see the unique movements that can be derived from constant-RPM motion forms of power generation (like waterwheels), and how the same motion can be generated from modern electronics and actuators.
Parallax’s goal is to release Dr. Garner’s book and kit by Fall 2022. Our intent is to make his work useful to students around the world.
