Open Source Experiential Robotics Platform (XRP) Kit Now Available for Pre-Order
Platform built by collaboration on hardware, coding, and education.
SparkFun Electronics announced they are accepting pre-orders for the Experiential Robotics Platform (XRP) Kit. XRP is a collaboration of DEKA, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Raspberry Pi, STMicroelectronics, Digi-Key, and Dagurobot to create an entry-level open source robotics platform accessible to people of all ages and experience levels. The platform consists of a hardware kit, a coding environment, and online educational modules.
The hardware aspect of the XRP is a no-tools and no-soldering build kit. SparkFun's XRP Controller Board is the central electronics component. It contains a Raspberry Pi Pico W board, a Qwiic connector for sensors (and other add-ons), an STMicroelectronics six-degrees of freedom inertial measurement unit (IMU), motor drivers, and more.
The kit also includes sensors for robotics projects like an ultrasonic range finder, wheels, a servo motor, and a battery holder. The XRP Controller runs on four AA batteries or an external supply (up to 11 volts.)
XRP supports multiple coding environments. For example, Blockly targets users new to programming. However, any toolchains that support the RP2040, such as MicroPython or Arduino, should work with the Pi Pico W and the rest of the platform.
Other members in the consortium include DEKA and Worcester Polytechnic Institute® (WPI). DEKA's founder is Dean Kamen, who founded FIRST, which many people know for the FIRST Robotics competition. WPI supports the project through the OpenSTEM initiative, which aims to make high-quality STEM education accessible worldwide. WPI also developed the XRP learning modules available at experientialrobotics.org.
Anyone interested in the kit should understand that the platform is a beta project. SparkFun and the other consortium members rely on early adopters' feedback to improve XRP.
Currently, SparkFun is accepting pre-orders for the kit. The price is $114.95. Educators and FIRST Teams should contact SparkFun directly. They are eligible for a significant discount (up to 43%). Shipping dates still need to be determined, but SparkFun estimates shipping to start by August 2023.