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SparkFun JetBot AI Kit v2.1 Powered by Jetson Nano

The SparkFun JetBot AI Kit is a robot platform powered by the Jetson Nano Developer Kit V3 by NVIDIA. This SparkFun kit is based on the open-source NVIDIA JetBot! We understand that not everyone has access to multiple 3D printers and a whole warehouse of electronics so we wanted to build a kit from ready to assemble parts to get you up and running as quickly as possible. The SparkFun JetBot AI Kit V2.1 is a great launchpad for creating entirely new AI projects for makers, students and enthusiasts who are interested in learning AI and building fun applications. It’s straightforward to set up and use and is compatible with many popular accessories.

Several interactive tutorials show you how to harness the power of AI to teach the SparkFun JetBot to follow objects, avoid collisions and more. The Jetson Nano Developer Kit offers useful tools like the Jetson GPIO Python library, and is compatible with common sensors and peripherals; including some new python compatibility with the SparkFun Qwiic ecosystem.

Additionally, the included image is delivered with the advanced functionality of JetBot ROS (Robot Operating System) and AWS RoboMaker Ready with AWS IoT Greengrass already installed. SparkFun’s JetBot AI Kit is the only kit currently on the market ready to move beyond the standard JetBot examples and into the world of connected and intelligent robotics.

This kit includes everything you need to get started with JetBot minus a Phillips head screwdriver and an Ubuntu desktop GUI. If you need these, check out the includes tabs for some suggestions from our catalog. Please be aware that the ability to run multiple neural networks in parallel may only be possible with a full 5V-4A power supply.

  • NVIDIA Jetson Nano Developer Kit
  • 64GB MicroSD card - Pre-flashed SparkFun JetBot image:
    • Nvidia Jetbot base image with the following installed: SparkFun Qwiic python library package
    • Driver for Edimax WiFi adapter
    • Greengrass
    • Jetbot ROS
  • Leopard Imaging 136FOV wide angle camera & ribbon cable
  • EDIMAX WiFi Adapter
  • SparkFun Qwiic Motor Driver
  • SparkFun Micro OLED Breakout (Qwiic)
  • All hardware & prototyping electronics needed to complete your fully functional robot!
  • Note - A Phillips head screwdriver is required for assembly and thanks to Qwiic soldering is no longer required!

Items not Included but you will need:

  • SparkFun Qwiic ecosystem for I2C communication
  • Ecosystem can be expanded using 4x Qwiic connectors on GPIO header
  • Example Code for: Basic Motion, Teleoperation, Collision avoidance, & Object Following
  • Compact form factor to optimize existing neural net from NVIDIA
  • 136° FOV camera for machine vision
  • Pre-flashed microSD card
  • Chassis assembly offers expandable architecture

SparkFun JetBot AI Kit v2.1 Powered by Jetson Nano Product Help and Resources

Assembly Guide for SparkFun JetBot AI Kit V2.0

March 27, 2020

Assembly Guide for the SparkFun JetBot AI Kit v2.0. This tutorial includes photos & comments to assemble the two-layer chassis & additional components unique to the JetBot kit.

Core Skill: Robotics

This skill concerns mechanical and robotics knowledge. You may need to know how mechanical parts interact, how motors work, or how to use motor drivers and controllers.

3 Robotics

Skill Level: Competent - You may need an understanding of servo motors and how to drive them. Additionally, you may need some fundamental understanding of motor controllers.
See all skill levels


Core Skill: DIY

Whether it's for assembling a kit, hacking an enclosure, or creating your own parts; the DIY skill is all about knowing how to use tools and the techniques associated with them.

3 DIY

Skill Level: Competent - You might need to break out the power tools. Nothing beyond a power drill or rotary tool should be required, but you might have a hard time with just a screwdriver and hammer. Cutting holes into plastic or metal might be required.
See all skill levels


Core Skill: Programming

If a board needs code or communicates somehow, you're going to need to know how to program or interface with it. The programming skill is all about communication and code.

4 Programming

Skill Level: Experienced - You will require a firm understanding of programming, the programming toolchain, and may have to make decisions on programming software or language. You may need to decipher a proprietary or specialized communication protocol. A logic analyzer might be necessary.
See all skill levels


Core Skill: Electrical Prototyping

If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and know the ins and outs of electronics.

2 Electrical Prototyping

Skill Level: Rookie - You may be required to know a bit more about the component, such as orientation, or how to hook it up, in addition to power requirements. You will need to understand polarized components.
See all skill levels


Comments

Looking for answers to technical questions?

We welcome your comments and suggestions below. However, if you are looking for solutions to technical questions please see our Technical Assistance page.

  • JPerch / about 5 years ago / 2

    Under the, "Includes" tab, the NVIDIA Jetson Nano Developer kit is listed. But, if you click on the, "See essential products link". it is listed as an essential product that is not included. Which is it?

    Just curious

    • Member #918656 / about 5 years ago / 2

      It includes the developer kit. I ordered this few weeks back . Agree this is confusing.

  • Tianzhu Zhang / about 4 years ago / 1

    Hi guys, have any of you tried to upgrade the JetPack to benefit from the newer functions and tools?

  • Member #1594433 / about 5 years ago / 1

    nice

  • Member #918656 / about 5 years ago / 1

    What is the difference between version 2.0 and 2.1

    • Member #1594326 / about 5 years ago / 1

      According to this link, https://www.sparkfun.com/news/3259 , they are almost identical. The newer version has a camera that is narrower but has higher resolution. The new kit also comes with two jumper wires instead of 10.

Customer Reviews

3.6 out of 5

Based on 5 ratings:

Currently viewing all customer reviews.

2 of 2 found this helpful:

Disappointed

I have posted my problems with using WiFi on both Sparkfun and Nvidia forums with no response from technical support. First time I have had that issue in many many years of buying Sparkfun products.

I'm sorry we were not able to assist you, unfortunately SparkFun didn't write the operating system for the Jetbot and Nvidia would be better able to assist you with your issue than SparkFun. You might give them a few days, with everything going on in the world right now they may be a bit slow to respond. I imagine it's probably something simple like needing to edit a config file somewhere but since we have not been able to reproduce the issue here, we don't know what to tell you to do.

1 of 1 found this helpful:

A good project, but be prepared for the unexpected

This is a good kit to start exploring the truly amazing capabilities (for its price) of the Jetson Nano. However, the instructions didn't keep up with the changes in the kit components. A changing set of components is inevitable as suppliers shift, but it can cause some confusion. for example, the camera mount that I received did have holes aligned for the camera. I tried drilling holes and shattered the mount in the process so I don't recommend it. I ended up using a small portion from the enclosed Velcro strip to mount the camera. A colleague told me that the separators weren't in the kit that he got, and another colleague told me that the wireless LAN adapter didn't work. You can work around all of these problems, but be prepared.

1 of 1 found this helpful:

Good

I have spent time testing the robot and most of the promised functionalities are there. The only doubt I have regarding SparkFun's JetBot is the support for newer versions of JetPack (4.4 and 4.5). It would be great if SparkFun provides images of these newer systems.

0 of 2 found this helpful:

From power on to driving the wheels in 15 minutes.

This is one of the best robotics platforms I have used to date. It takes a few minutes to power on, get it on the network and drive the wheels via jupyter notebook. Then you can go to the command prompt and get your hands dirty with ROS to drive the robot.

Some quality issues and a subpar selection of components

We bought six sets of the JetBots to use for teaching in a classroom. All of the kits were easy to build, and the online guides from SparkFun are very good. However, two out of six of the Qwiic micro OLED displays were DOA. There are currently (as of February 2021) an issue with the Linux driver for the Edimax USB WiFi adapter, so we had to replace the USB WiFi dongles with Intel 8265NGW M.2 cards to get a stable connection to the JetBots.