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EdCar
Learn It - Build It
EdCar is a unique, do-it-yourself kit designed to educate you on all aspects of programming and electronics. The end goal is a car controlled remotely, via Bluetooth, with a mobile app that you create. But this is not a simple plug it in an watch it go adventure. As you work through the very thorough tutorials, you will be building a large core knowledge in circuitry, Java, Python, Android, iOS, Swift, and Raspberry Pi. In the end, it is this knowledge, and the understanding of how it all connects together, that will give you the confidence and ability to advance to more challenging projects.
EDCAR
VIDEO
It has been a long time coming but I am happy to announce that the EdCar Kickstarter has launched! You can pledge to the project by clicking on the link to left. Every little bit counts!
If donating is not your speed, feel free to spread the word on social media. And if you have any questions, feel free to contact me anytime.



Thanks!
Learn EdCar
A Crash Course in Programming and Electronics
The primary goal of EdCar is to educate the user in all aspects of programming and electronics. Before even building EdCar, the tutorials will take you through the core subject matter necessary to build a strong foundation of knowledge. More important than the assembly of EdCar is the understanding of why it works and how it all fits together. Each subject includes mini projects and video tutorials to reinforce what you have learned and to get your feet wet before moving onto EdCar itself.
SUBJECTS
Mobile Application
Java - Cover the basics of the Java programming language, using DrJava to practice what you've learned.
Android - Learn about Activities, Fragments, Resources, and how they all come together using Android Studio to create a mobile app for Android.
Swift - Cover the basics of the Swift programming language, learning to use Xcode along the way.
iOS - Learn about the ins and outs of iOS development using Xcode.
Raspberry Pi
Pi Board - Learn about the hardware behind the Raspberry Pi, including the GPIO pins.
Raspbian - Learn about the operating system running on the Raspberry Pi.
Python - Cover the basics of the Python programming language and how you will use the GPIO pins to connect to EdCar.
Electronics
Basics - Understand the basics of Electronics, such as Voltage, Current, Resistance, and their importance when building circuits.
Discrete Components - Learn about the most common discrete components, such as resistors, capacitors, and transistors.
Integrated Circuits - Learn about integrated circuits and how they can create complex circuits.
Build EdCar
Build the Circuit - Build the Frame - Connect the Pi
The assembly of EdCar centers around building the circuit and the frame. The frame is a unique, no-tools-required, laser cut acrylic construction which locks together for a sturdy, elegant chassis. Building the circuit is where the challenge lies. It heavily relies on prior knowledge from either the tutorials, or previous electronics experience. Understanding why the circuit works the way it does will greatly simplify the process. But once complete, connecting everything together with the Raspberry Pi will be simple and EdCar will be up and running in no time.
FRAME
CIRCUIT
My Story
And the History of EdCar
After graduating from The University of Delaware with BS in Computer Science, I started in with a small defense contractor writing training software for harpoon missiles and steam plants for carries. After a year, I moved on to start my own personal training company, but continued to create websites for myself and clients. Over the next few years I started into mobile app development for Android, as well as some iPhone, helping to create Spiro's Quest and Drinkmate. I started to then add in electronics and robotics but was not particularly thrilled with the robotics kits on the market. The idea of EdCar was born.
ORIGIN
The biggest issue I was discovering with robotics kits was that they were mostly just plug and play. What was missing was the core understanding of why it works and how all the pieces were connecting together and communicating. Because of this, once the project is complete, there is very little room for advancement towards more complex projects. But this setup is not entirely unreasonable. It keeps the cost down and allows for a low barrier of entry for beginners. But to really understand the "why" of how these kits works requires years of study in programming and electronics. But you don't need to know all of electronics and all of programming to understand the "why" of a kit. You only need to understand the "why" as it applies to your kit. The goal of EdCar is to not only provide a base knowledge to understand the "why" of how your kit works, but also to provide enough education to encourage further exploration into more complex projects.
PROTOTYPE
The initial prototype was constructed of balsa wood. This allowed me to get a rough idea of how EdCar should look and how the components should be layed out.
The motors were attached with velcro, and the front wheel was attached with thumbtacks. This made it easy to take EdCar apart, but also yielded poor stability.
The initial prototype was constructed of balsa wood. This allowed me to get a rough idea of how EdCar should look and how the components should be layed out.
The motors were attached with velcro, and the front wheel was attached with thumbtacks. This made it easy to take EdCar apart, but also yielded poor stability.
The second prototype was a 3D printed, single piece frame.
This prototype ended up not working at all. The bolt holes were covered over and none of the components fit. Plus the cost of a 3D printed frame was prohibitive.
But I did learn CAD to create the 3D model, which I used to create the current frame.
The second prototype was a 3D printed, single piece frame.
This prototype ended up not working at all. The bolt holes were covered over and none of the components fit. Plus the cost of a 3D printed frame was prohibitive.
But I did learn CAD to create the 3D model, which I used to create the current frame.
For customer inquires and general information, please contact me at
steven@myedcar.com
Website By Steven Taylor
Copyright © 2016 Steven Taylor. All Rights Reserved.