RBNV Notes for March 24/2026

[Pat C]

Robot Builders Night Virtual for March 24th, 2026

DPRG RBNV - Robot Builders Night Virtual - March 24, 2026 - YouTube

Main Discussion Points

Robotics Competitions and Events

• An announcement was made for the upcoming Roboama competitions scheduled for May 2026 at the Dallas Maker Space. The events will include quick trip line following, advanced barrel racing, six can, four square, and sumo.
• Participants are encouraged to prepare their robots for fun and competition.
• The DPRG March monthly meeting was also highlighted, featuring a talk by the creator of an inexpensive differential drive robot, equipped with LIDAR and turnkey ROS 2 software.

Project Showcases

• Mark R. presented a mini robot parade float project, discussing the integration of modeled chains and gears designed for a line-following demonstration. The project involved iterative design tweaks and printed prototypes. Black star ★
• A lively discussion followed regarding the electronics and mechanics involved, with questions about the scale and performance of different design components.
• Doug P. showed his Tractor (Zamboni) for the Parade Float event. Doug made progress getting his Ultrasonic sensor working. He found the problem & it now works. Black star ★

New Arduino Technology

• Doug P. introduced the Arduino Ventuno platform, designed for advanced AI and robotics applications with dual-processor architecture supporting real-time operations and neural processing units.
• There was an analysis comparing this new board to existing platforms like the NVIDIA Jetson Nano and Raspberry Pi with AI capabilities.
• Concerns were raised about the pricing and ecosystem adoption for such high-end components in common robotics applications.

GPS and RTK Positioning Technology

• Discussions touched on recent advancements in GPS and RTK technologies, with references to affordable GNSS RTK units like Tinkernav for centimeter-level accuracy positioning.
• Ponder SomeMore and others examined different models and their potential uses in outdoor robotics competitions, emphasizing the importance of connectivity features and data acquisition methods.

Conclusions and Insights

• The gathering provided valuable insights into ongoing projects, with participants collaborating on approaches to technology integration in their robots.
• The session emphasized the need for careful consideration of cost versus functionality when implementing advanced technology in robotics.
• The community remains eager to adapt new technologies, recognizing the challenges of integrating proprietary systems with open-source platforms.

Referenced Links

• Pat C shared:

  • Instagram Reel on Robotics
  • Business Insider Robot Article
  • DroneBot Workshop - Arduino Uno

• Ed M shared:

  • Hackster.io Tinkernav Article

• Ponder SomeMore provided YouTube links:

  • YouTube Video 1
  • YouTube Video 2

This meeting underscored the convergence of practical robotics applications with new and affordable technologies, providing a valuable platform for community learning and engagement.