The Machine Science kits are designed for learning: learning how to build circuits, learning how to make robots, and learning how to write computer programs. In creating the kits, we source high-quality components, develop engaging educational activities, and document every project with easy-to-follow, step-by-step tutorials. Our goal is to help you acquire the knowledge and skills needed to take the next step as an engineering student, educator, or hobbyist.
Machine Science products, tutorials, and software have been used by engineering instructors at top universities, including MIT and Northeastern. They have also been used to support enrichment programs and classroom activities at secondary schools and community centers around the country. When you purchase a kit from us, you can feel confident that you are investing in classroom-tested materials and technology.
Breadboard Kits
Our unique line of breadboard-based electronics kits lets you piece together your own programmable circuits. The core of the breadboard development system is the Breadboard Microcontroller Starter Kit, which provides all of the essential components, including the breadboard itself, an ATmega168 microcontroller, a USB-to-serial programming board, flexible and pre-bent jump wires, even four rechargeable AA batteries. With just this Starter Kit, you have everything you need for hours of educational activities: controlling a seven-segment display, lighting LEDs, using button switches, displaying text on an LCD, making sounds from a speaker, measuring and displaying the temperature in the room, and much more. Every activity is covered in our step-by-step illustrated tutorials.
When you are ready to move on, the Breadboard Starter Kit components become the base for several expansion packs, including a Keypad, Accelerometer, GPS Receiver, and an MP3 Player. The Starter Kit can also be used as a robot controller with the Robot Base Kit, the Sensor Expansion Pack, and the Remote Control Expansion Pack. The breadboard is an entirely open platform, so it's easy to integrate additional components. The Breadboard Microcontroller Starter Kit is ideal for those customers who want to learn about electronics and embedded computing by doing hands-on activities.
XIPMods Kits
Our eXpandable Interlinked Prototyping Modules (XIPMods) provide a complete electronics and robotics prototyping solution for educational and hobby applications. The core of the XIPMods system is the Master Module, which acts as the command center for all XIPMods network devices. The Master Module has a built-in USB-to-serial converter for easy programming, and it works seamlessly with Machine Science's local and on-line programming environments. With six analog inputs, six digital inputs, and six output ports, the Master Module is a great robot controller on its own. (With the addition of an inexpensive shield, an Arduino can be used in place of the Master Module to control the XIPMods.)
The rest of the XIPMods network with the Master Module to offer advanced functionality, such as high-current DC motor control, GPS positioning, MP3 file storage and playback, wireless communication, and input/output features, including sound, light, text display, and infrared remote control. XIPMods offer plug-and-play simplicity for beginners and computing power for advanced applications. Each XIPMods unit features RJ-25 snap-in jacks for easy network connections. Modules share a common footprint, so they can be securely stacked. The XIPMods kits are best for those customers who want to quickly prototype embedded computing devices, without building circuits by hand.
Robotics Kits
Machine Science's robot kits provide body components, motors, sensors, and related hardware for mobile and stationary robotics applications. Our stock robot chassis is made of heavy gauge anodized aluminum, tough enough to withstand years of use. The robots can be controlled with either the Breadboard Microcontroller Starter Kit or the XIPMods Master Module. Complete robotics packages, including controllers, sensors, frames, and motors, are also available.
Through a partnership with GEARS Educational Systems A Product of DEPCO, we also offer a more substantial robot platform, the GEARS HMC-Lite, which features two 12V DC gearhead motors, aluminum chassis components, a front caster, and two 4" rubber drive wheels, which are driven by a system of belts and pulleys. The HMC Lite can be controlled with a XIPMods High Current Motor Module, coupled with a Master Module, a PS2 Control Module, or a hobby RC controller.
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