Review
raspberrypi.org/magpi The Official Raspberry Pi Projects Book 185
GOPIGO3
Last word
One of the best robotics
kits you can buy, especially
for teachers. DexterOS
is delightful, bringing
programming and learning into
one space. Creating its own
hotspot frees the robot from
network limitations.magpi.cc/FYfJmH
From £95 / $99
start controlling and programming
the robot quickly. Perhaps
more importantly, it combines
the lessons and programming
environment into one single space
that doesn’t require an internet
connection – the robot acts as a
router. There are dozens of lessons
covering movement, sensors,
speakers, buzzers, and buttons.
Ready to teach
There’s a lot here for teachers.
The GoPiGo is a great tool
for introducing robotics to a
classroom. It’s relatively easy to
set up, very easy to connect to
from a wide range of computers,
network independent, and packed
full of tutorials for visual and text-
based programming environments.
The two motors have encoders
built in, so you no longer have to
attach these separately during the
build. These act as tachometers,
measuring the precise rotation
of the wheels. The GoPiGo3 runs
forward and backwards in a
straight line, can move by precise
amounts (such as 10 cm or 5 in),
and turn with degree precision. It’s
a small thing that makes a massive
difference to the experience of
using a robot.
There is a GoPiGo base kit for just
$99. It includes the GoPiGo3 board,
chassis, wheels, motors, encoders,
and power battery pack. You need
to add your own Raspberry Pi 3.
We tested the $199 Starter Kit,
which comes with a Raspberry Pi 3,
mini WiFi dongle, GoPiGo servo
package, distance sensor, microSD
card (with DexterOS software),
8GB USB drive, and power supply.
It’s a useful complete package,
but we think the base kit would be
sufficient if you already have many
of the components.
The 8GB USB drive is used to
update the software. You add
software updates to the USB drive,
power up the GoPiGo robot, and it
automatically updates its software
(see magpi.cc/2t1QOyr) – again,
without the need to remove the SD
card or connect to a network.
Both kits are available
in the UK from ModMyPi
(magpi.cc/2tTWJqN).
Dexter offers a range of
accessories for the GoPiGo. The
Starter Kit comes with a servo
motor and distance sensor, but you
can also add an ultrasonic distance
sensor, sound sensor, buzzer,
temperature and humidity sensors,
camera, and line follower. You can
find tutorials for each of the sensor
projects at magpi.cc/2v08oV0.
There’s a lot about this robot that
makes it ideal for the classroom.
Aside from the integrated lessons
and programming environment,it’s a sturdy build. We’d wager it
can take quite a few knocks.
Even if you’re not a student or a
teacher, it’s a great robot kit. The
built-in encoders make it more
accurate than other robots, and
there are plenty of holes on the
board for adding your own custom
equipment. We’ve got a lot of time
for GoPiGo3, and we intend to
spend a lot of time experimenting
with it. Well done Dexter!Above Control the
robot's movements
using Bloxter