Category Reference

Kaia.ai Firmware, ROS2 Configuration Files

Kaia.ai firmware works with a wide variety of ESP32 boards, supports robots of different sizes, with various Lidars, motors, motor drivers and motor encoders – all thanks to a configuration file where you can specify your GPIO assignments. Configuring Kaia.ai…

ESP32-S3 GPIO Limitations

ESP32-S3 comes with a number of GPIO limitations. Do not use GPIO26, GPIO27, GPIO28, GPIO29, GPIO30, GPIO31, GPIO32. These pins are connected to “in-package flash/PSRAM and NOT recommended for other uses”. Configuring any of these pins for input or output…

ESP32 GPIO Limitations

ESP32 (and its DevKit boards) has a number of limitations with respect to its GPIOs. Here is a table of issues to keep in mind. The took the list of ESP32 GPIO limitations from a Randomnerd Tutorials post and added…

Awesome 2D LiDAR List

We have created an Awesome 2D LiDARs list on GitHub. The list includes the LiDAR specifications, protocols, wiring diagrams, software interface code, identification photos and videos as well as performance evaluations (when available). The proliferation of consumer robotic vacuum cleaners…

Robot Assembly Bill of Materials

Let’s take a look at: the list of parts required for the robot assembly the part costs as of 02/2024 where to get these parts Please keep in mind that I’m going to launch an online store here, at makerspet.com,…

The Network Architecture

Here is the current network connections architecture for Kaia.ai platform. The home robot’s ESP32 micro-controller talks over WiFi to the Local PC. The home robot’s smartphone talks over WiFi to the local PC. Currently the ESP32 and the smartphone do…

A Living Room Simulation Gazebo VR 3D Model

I’d like to share a simulated world I just made (my first). The simulator is called Gazebo – it is used for ROS2 robotic simulations. I have also created the TV displaying a tropical paradise (emissive), the bright windows with…

Snoopy BoM Cost Breakdown

Snoopy’s hardware bill of materials adds up to around $200. Here is the minimum BoM breakdown! Let’s add up part costs as of 09 You can get these parts, for example, on Amazon or AliExpress. Part Quantity Approx. Cost per…