FlowBotics Studio with FlowStone Inside from $40

[support]

FlowBotics Studio is a new programming platform developed by DSPRobotics Exclusively for RobotShop:

FlowBotics Studio.png (189.2 KiB) Viewed 22855 times

http://www.robotshop.com/productinfo.aspx?pc=RB-Dsp-06&lang=en-US

The main difference between FlowBotics Studio @ $40 vs FlowStone @ $150 (or $250 with updates) is that FlowBotics doesn't have the EXE or VST Export making it ideal for education and hobbyists. Also the file format is different, so whilst you can import FlowStone projects , projects made in FlowBotics wont open in FlowStone. Also there is a new app. browser layer on top so new users that don't need to go into FlowStone can just run the apps in focus mode.

Other then that it is the full FlowStone inside and a cheap way to get on-board. Currently we have made six special FlowStone projects for the Servo Erector Set robotics kit from LynxMotion:

ses-v11-package-contents-B.jpg (25.36 KiB) Viewed 22858 times

http://www.robotshop.com/productinfo.aspx?pc=RB-Lyn-656

We will be adding to the pre-made projects over time to support many of the other hardware lines that RobotShop sells. So you can think of FlowBotics Studio as an app store for electronics and robotics hardware with the ability to edit the apps in FlowStone and make your own creations.

Here's the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nWqmwN9Qlng

[tester]

Thanks for explaining.

So, when we can expect next FS update, and what can we expect inside?

[support]

Yes well spotted, we have a new update ready to go for FlowStone, but had to wait until FlowBotics was finished.

There are a few interesting modules ready for the next release, plus the usual bunch on enhancements:

DMX - gives you access to the DMX 512 protocol used for lighting - this means that you can use FlowStone to make your own DMX lighting control app.

Here's the video of us testing DMX with a disco light doing sound to light inside FlowStone:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSN7ZHAKHoY

We use the DMX protocol from the FTDI chip set, you can buy low cost DMX control boards from here:

http://www.bitbang.co.uk/dmx.html

The there is a new HID module, this give you access to all HID (Human Interface Device) hardware, which includes most games controllers and PC input devices, and also can HID link to many microchips (eg. PIC chips).
We have been working on a new mini Flowboard using this lowcost USB board for $19:

http://www.mikroe.com/startusb/pic/

We will issue a news letter shortly summing up all of the latest developments and news and the next FlowStone update will be in the next week or so.

[JB_AU]

Thanks for explaining.

[tester]

I hope you do remember about requests on high resolution FFT processing? Right now it's limited to 16k, while 512k is welcome for doing various analysis things.

HID module sounds interesting.

[chackl]

DMX
Can't Wait

When will it released? I do not need an exact time - but actually we are planing to do an own DMX software and this is a component that is missing. Are you able to tell us if ther is a release this or next month?

Regards

[tester]

We will issue a news letter shortly summing up all of the latest developments and news and the next FlowStone update will be in the next week or so.

Which means - this week or so.

[chackl]

Thanks!

[tester]

Week passed unnoticed.
We are now in "or so" period.
Not good...

[nix]

I really need the multiple instances fix to progress.
What are you up to atm RDSP?
& can we get an ETA on the update?