The Open Program is great in that there is so much freedom, but that much freedom can also be very daunting.  The freedom to choose from a dozen different control systems can be overwhelming when a quick internet search finds so many experts in the field.  There is so much information out there that it can be difficult to know where to start.  This page will contain both original content and information but will also provide descriptions and links to some of the great resources that we have come across in our research.

If there are any specific topics that you would like more information on regarding the Open Program, please send us a request at info@higherorderinnovation.com and we will look into adding some resources on additional topics.

How to Join

Please send an inquiry to support@create-found.org if you are interested in the Open Program Robotics Competitions.

Resources

1. Mechanical Construction - http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Build-your-Everything-Really-Really-Fast/
   1. This is a great resource that presents design guidelines for designing functional mechanical structures and robots using laser-cut and 3D printed components.  This is one of the best mechanical prototyping resources that we have found.
2. Sparkfun (www.sparkfun.com) Adafruit (www.adafruit.com)
   1. These are two of the most popular resources for electrical breakout boards and materials for electronics prototyping.  Both of these sites have excellent resources, guides, and tutorials that help to explain electronics and electric components.
3.  Motor Selection (https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-motor-selection-guide/types-of-motors)
   1. This is a comprehensive guide to different motor technologies and what situations are correct for each type.
4. Visual Micro for Visual Studio - http://www.visualmicro.com/
   1. For advanced users, the combination of Visual Studio with the Visual Micro Plugin is a much better option for development than the basic IDE.  This combination provides advanced development options such as code-completion and full color-coding.

​*Please note these resources are not maintained by Higher Order Innovation.  We will do our best to keep this list updated with the most current and useful robotics resources that we have found.