Somewhere To Start
OK, so you've designed the next best robot in the whole wide world. Congratulations! But...now you have to build it. Where to begin?
Hardware
Hardware isn't just kitchen sinks and M3 screws and washers. Hardware is what makes a robot go!
What we've done is to list all the online suppliers we've been able to rely on, and then to break these down into categories. Motors, components, sensors, wheels, chassis, etc., all have their own section, with the most appropriate suppliers listed under each category.
This isn't an exhaustive list. I don't have the unlimited time to do that! But if you find a supplier listed that doesn't include something you know they supply, please drop me a line and I'll update the listings.
Likewise, if a supplier you use isn't listed at all, let me know, and if they ship internationally, I'll include them in the next update. Please be aware also that your most favouritest online robot shop may only resell parts that are more easily and cheaply available somewhere else.
So here goes...
All Hardware Suppliers
These are the online hardware suppliers that I've purchased from. In most cases, they will accept most common payment terms and options, but you may need to contact them first (or just check out their websites) to make sure that they will be able to ship and sell to you.
| Supplier | URL | Best for... |
| Altronics (Australia) | http://www.altronics.com.au | Terrific support for harder-to-find components, connectors, cabling, solder tools |
| Analog Devices | http://www.analog.com | Analogue devices! Great ADCs, low power and fast op-amps, precision references |
| Arduino | http://www.arduino.cc | Lots of starter boards, add-on boards, design ideas, software assistance |
| ARM/Cortex | http://www.arm.com | ARM RISC CPUs |
| Atmel | http://www.atmel.com | CPUs |
| Devantech | http://www.activerobots.com | The BEST Sonars, motors, compasses around by a long shot |
| Digikey | http://www.digikey.com | Same as Mouser, but more international gear |
| Fairchild Semiconductor | http://www.fairchildsemi.com | Logic and mobile IP technology |
| Futurlec | http://www.futurlec.com | Great development boards, the best PCBs in Oceania, cheaper than Europe/US! |
| Jaycar (Australia/UK) | http://www.jaycar.com.au | Great for rechargeable batteries, but not a lot else. |
| Linear Technology | http://www.linear.com | Great step-up and step-down (boost/buck) regulators |
| Maxim/Dallas | http://www.maxim-ic.com | Data devices, thermometers, precision references, battery switching ICs |
| Microchip | http://www.microchip.com | CPUs, MPUs, and selected digital devices |
| Mini Box | http://www.mini-box.co.uk | Motors, sensors, small design components |
| Mouser Electronics | http://www.mouser.com | Everything! CPUs, nuts, bolts, Piezoelectrics, ICs, development kits |
| National Semiconductor | http://www.national.com | Linear technology - regulators, battery charger ICs, great design tools for PSUs |
| Philips (NXP) | http://www.nxp.com | CPUs and specialty (I2C, interface) devices |
| Pololu | http://www.pololu.com | Great starter kits, wheels, lots of kitschy boards and gear |
| Proto Pic (UK) | http://www.proto-pic.co.uk | Mainly PIC-focused, but plenty of sensors |
| The Robot Shop | http://www.robotshop.com | The BEST shop in the world for sensors - laser, IR, tracked vehicles, and more! |
| RS Components | http://www.rs-components.com, | Anything, but horrifically expensive |
| Sparkfun | http://www.sparkfun.com | Lots of robotic stuff - heaps of sensors, breakout boards, LEDs, great support |
| Texas Instruments | http://www.ti.com | Traditional logic, and all the faster/better/stronger logic families (ACT/F,etc) |
| Venom | http://www.venom-group.com | Chassis and chassis components |
| Zilog | http://www.zilog.com | CPUs and design kits, development IDE |
Suppliers by Category
- Motors & Wheels
- CPUs and Controllers
- Batteries
- Electronic Components (passives)
- Electronic Components (specialty)
- Electronic Modules
- PCB Manufacturers
Motors & Wheels
Devantech, The Robot Shop, Mini-Box, Pololu
CPUs and Controllers
Atmel, Parallax, Cypress, ARM, Microchip, Zilog, Philips NXP
Batteries
Venom (mainly LiPo), Jaycar (SLA, NiMh, NiCad), Altronics (SLA, NiMh), The Robot Shop
Electronic Components (passives)
Jaycar, Altronics, Futurlec, Sparkfun, Mouser, Digikey, Futurlec, RS Components
Electronic Components (ICs)
Philips NXP, Fairchild, National Semi, TI, Analog Devices, Linear Technology, Maxim, Sparkfun, RS Components, Futurlec, Jaycar (limited), Altronics (limited)
Electronic Components (specialty)
Philips NXP, TI, Analog Devices, Linear Technology, Maxim, Sparkfun, RS Components,
Electronic Modules
Sparkfun, Arduino, Atmel, Futurlec, Pololu
PCB Manufacturers
Futurlec
