Advertisement
Quick Links
Assembly Guide for SparkFun JetBot AI Kit V2.0
Introduction
SparkFun's version of the JetBot merges the industry leading machine learning capabilities of the NVIDIA Jetson
Nano with the vast SparkFun ecosystem of sensors and accessories. Packaged as a ready-to-assemble robotics
platform, the SparkFun JetBot AI Kit v2.0 requires no additional components or 3D printing to get started - just
assemble the robot, boot up the Jetson Nano, connect to WiFi and start using the JetBot immediately. This
combination of advanced technologies in a ready-to-assemble package makes the SparkFun JetBot Kit a
standout, delivering one of the strongest robotics platforms on the market. This guide serves as hardware
assembly instructions for the JetBot AI Kit v2.0. The SparkFun JetBot comes with a pre-flashed micro SD card
image that includes the Nvidia JetBot base image with additional installations of the SparkFun Qwiic Python
library, Edimax WiFi driver, AWS RoboMaker ready with AWS IoT Greengrass, and of course the JetBot ROS.
Users only need to plug in the SD card and set up the WiFi connection to get started.
Note: We recommend that you read all of the directions first, before building your JetBot. However, we
empathize if you are just here for the pictures & a general feel for the SparkFun JetBot. We are also those
people who on occasion void warranties & recycle unopened instructions manuals but please note, SparkFun
can only provide support for the instructions laid out in the following pages.
Advertisement
Related Manuals for sparkfun JetBot AI Kit V2.0
Summary of Contents for sparkfun JetBot AI Kit V2.0
- Page 1 Note: We recommend that you read all of the directions first, before building your JetBot. However, we empathize if you are just here for the pictures & a general feel for the SparkFun JetBot. We are also those people who on occasion void warranties & recycle unopened instructions manuals but please note, SparkFun...
- Page 2 Jetson Nano environment, which makes it easy to integrate more than 30 sensors (no soldering and daisy-chainable). The SparkFun Qwiic Connect System is an ecosystem of I C sensors, actuators, shields and cables that make prototyping faster and less prone to error. All Qwiic-enabled boards use a common 1mm pitch, 4-pin JST connector.
- Page 3 SparkFun JetBot image (Pre Flashed) Leopard Imaging 136 FOV Camera SparkFun Micro OLED Breakout (Qwiic) SparkFun Qwiic Motor Driver SparkFun Qwiic pHAT v2.0 for Raspberry Pi Qwiic Cable - 100mm Qwiic Cable - 200mm Jumper Wires Premium 6" M/M (2-pack black & red) USB Micro-B Cable - 6"...
-
Page 4: Recommended Tools
When we talk about the "Front," or "Forward" of the JetBot, we are referring to direction the camera is pointed when the JetBot is fully assembled. "Left" and "Right" will be from the perspective of the SparkFun JetBot (i.e. what the JetBot camera sees). - Page 5 Push two of the included motor mounts through the designated holes in the base plate as shown below. Two more motor mounts will be attached on the outside of the base plate after the motor is installed. Your JetBot Chassis Kit includes a pair of hobby motors & wheel assemblies. Attach the pair of motors using the long threaded machine screws &...
- Page 6 We prefer the shown orientation below that leaves the extra length of the machine screws & nuts on the inside edge of the JetBot. Repeat this process on the other side of the chassis so both motors are symmetric on the base plate. Note: Install the motors so the "DAGU robot"...
- Page 7 Notice that the brass standoffs used for the caster assembly are slightly shorter than those used for the chassis. The first time you build the SparkFun JetBot, each of these sets of standoffs are packaged together, but it is easy...
- Page 8 Flip the chassis over and install the shorter brass standoffs as shown in the photo below. Note: The motor leads are not threaded here only for photo clarity. Keep yours threaded as instructed previously Use the two remaining screws to attach the caster ball casing to the brass standoffs. Press the wheels onto the hobby motor axles for a snug friction fit &...
- Page 9 2. Camera Assembly & Installation Next, locate the camera mount assembly in the JetBot Chassis Kit. The unassembled view of the parts is laid out in the proper orientation for assembly. Note: This orientation is necessary to ensure the camera mount fits on the top plate of the chassis. Unpackage the Leopard Imaging camera and assemble the camera mount as shown in the following photograph.
- Page 10 Note: Make sure to orient the camera so the ribbon cable is extending over the "top" of the camera mount as shown below. Attach the camera mount & camera to the JetBot Chassis Kit top plate (the unused base plate) using the slightly longer sets of screws and nuts included in the chassis kit (pictured below).
- Page 11 Pictured below are the standoffs for the Jetson Nano Dev Kit, the SparkFun Qwiic Motor Driver, and SparkFun Qwiic OLED. Be sure to keep the standoffs on the right side somewhat loose. The mounting holes in the top plate are oblong to compensate for manufacturing tolerances &...
- Page 12 Cut the strip of dual lock Velcro into two roughly equal sized strips. Take one side of the dual lock Velcro and attach to the top of the battery pack as shown. We figured you could handle this, but we already had the camera all set up & scissors in hand... Place the corresponding pieces of dual lock Velcro on the chassis assembly top plate as pictured.
- Page 13 Line up the battery pack as shown to ensure correct orientation of the USB ports & no interference between the battery pack and mounting hardware. This photo shows how to place the battery pack to not touch the camera mount hardware while not extending too far out the back of the SparkFun JetBot.
- Page 14 Press firmly on the battery pack to attach the dual lock Velcro interface between the chassis and battery. Route one set of motor leads at a time through the chassis top plate as shown. Attach the top plate to the base plate brass standoffs using the four remaining screws from the JetBot chassis kit.
- Page 15 Thanks! Once the chassis is fully assembled, attach the SparkFun Qwiic Motor Driver as shown using the mounting hole on the board to the right of the 4x motor screw terminal. Attach the motor leads as pictured; see below for more details.
- Page 16 Install the Edimax USB WiFi & Bluetooth Adapter into one of the USB ports on the Jetson Dev Kit. Remove the MicroSD card with the SparkFun JetBot Image (pre-flashed) from the included case & adapter and place it into the MicroSD card slot on the Jetson Nano module. It is easier to do this prior to installing the Jetson...
- Page 17 Attach the Jetson Nano Dev Kit using four 4-40 screws to the previously installed Nylon standoffs. Remember we left the right side standoffs loose so align them with the mounting holes on the Jetson Nano Dev Kit & tighten until sung.
- Page 18 Attach the 100mm Qwiic cable to the underside of the SparkFun Qwiic Micro OLED as shown below. Attach the SparkFun Qwiic Micro OLED to the JetBot Chassis using another Nylon Standoff & 4-40 screw. Attach the 100mm Qwiic cable to the SparkFun Qwiic Motor Driver. Secure the Qwiic Micro OLED by tightening the screw until sung.
- Page 19 Check the battery power on the USB pack by pressing the power button on the side of the battery. Four dots means it is fully charged. The Jetson is fairly power hungry. We recommend only powering up your SparkFun JetBot with a fully charged battery pack.
- Page 20 JetBot on. Allow the JetBot a few minutes to power up. When the JetBot is ready, the Micro OLED will display the SparkFun flame logo followed by the available disk image space & IP address once connected to a...
-
Page 21: Software Setup
DO NOT format or flash a new image on the SD card; otherwise, you will need to flash our image back onto the card (instructions below). Your SparkFun JetBot comes with a Pre-Flashed micro SD card. Users only need to plug in the SD card and set up the WiFi connection to get started. -
Page 22: Troubleshooting
DOWNLOAD SPARKFUN'S JETBOT IMAGE V1.10 - KINGSTON 64GB MICROSD CARD INCLUDED W/ KIT DOWNLOAD SPARKFUN'S JETBOT IMAGE V1.11 - KINGSTON CANVAS GO 64GB MICROSD CARD INCLUDED W/ KIT Note: Balena Etcher software (NVIDIA's recommendation) internally takes care of un-zipping disk image files. - Page 23 The "object following" Jupyter Notebook example won't work due to the required dependencies that had not been released by NVIDIA prior to the creation of the SparkFun JetBot image. These updates can be manually installed on your Jetson Nano with the JetPack 4.2.1 release.
- Page 24 Assembly Guide for SparkFun JetBot AI Kit V2.0 Looking for an easy way to implement a joystick to your Assembly Guide for the SparkFun JetBot AI Kit v2.0. next Arduino or Raspberry Pi project? This hookup This tutorial includes photos & comments to assemble guide will walk you through using the Qwiic Joystick the two-layer chassis &...
Need help?
Do you have a question about the JetBot AI Kit V2.0 and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers