= Welcome = !OpenServo is an open community-based project started by Mike Thompson with the goal of creating a low-cost digital servo for robotics. Currently maintained by Barry Carter, the !OpenServo project continues to flourish with new code, new hardware, and rich documentation set. '''As seen in [http://www.botmag.com/ Robot Magazine] Spring edition'''. Leading Edge Robotics News (LERN Pg 13) == Overview == The !OpenServo is a combination of hardware and software meant to replace the original PCB internal to low-cost analog RC servos such as the [:Servo_Futaba_S3003:Futaba S3003] or [:Servo_HiTec_HS-311:HiTec HS-311]. More recently, !OpenServo code has found its way into non-servo applications such as the [http://www.phenostream.com/Products/OSM_01.aspx Phenostream OpenStepper]. attachment:openservo.jpg Information can be found on this site regarding ["Hardware"], ["Software"] and [:Tools_&_Utilities:Tools & Utilities] to create your own !OpenServo. == Places To Go == * [:StepByStep:OpenServo Step By Step]: A step by step introduction to !OpenServo, '''recommended first stop''' * [http://www.openservo.com/forums/ Forums]: developers and users discuss the !OpenServo * [http://www.openservo.com/viewcvs/viewcvs.cgi/OpenServo/ ViewCVS]: browse the !OpenServo source code * ["Hardware"]: build your own !OpenServo * ["Software"]: program your own !OpenServo * [:Tools_&_Utilities:Docs, Tools & Utilities]: information to help create your own !OpenServo * ["Resources"]: !OpenServo development resources * ["Applications"]: examples of the !OpenServo in use * [:Future_Development:Future Development]: future developments of the !OpenServo == Purchase == You can now purchase an !OpenServo from the authorised distributor [http://www.robotfuzz.com/OSv3 RobotFuzz Robotics] Phenostream now offer a stepper motor product based on !OpenServo. More information can be found about this product on [http://www.openservo.com/Phenostream_information Phenostream information] page. For more info visit www.phenostream.com == Acknowledgements == Continued !OpenServo development is possible because of the help and support of a number of individuals: Barry Carter is the heart and soul of the !OpenServo community and without his efforts the project would have surely have withered and faded. Barry (ginge) is an enthusiastic and active member of the !OpenServo forums and he is working to continue the great work Mike Thompson started with the !OpenServo project. Barry's personal efforts with the !OpenServo and robotics can be tracked at his [http://www.headfuzz.co.uk/?q=robotsmain HeadFUZZ] website. Cliff Huston of Propeller Head Design has not only provided the community with his hardware design experience, but also become a prominent member of the community. Cliff has recently designed the OSvX2 (the !OpenServo Version 3) with an array of amazing features and inspired PCB layout. Much of the complex hardware related issues would not have been possible if it were not for Cliff's intimate electronics knowledge. Andy Lippitt was the earliest supporter of the !OpenServo and helped inspire and create the !OpenServo community. He has generously generously donated both server space and know-how to make the !OpenServo website possible. Andy's efforts with the !OpenServo in his hexapod robots can be seen [http://vizlog.com/ here]. Jay Ragsdale of [http://pendragonrobotics.com/ Pendragon Robotics] has taken up the challenge of manufacturing and distributing !OpenServo PCBs at a very reasonable cost. Jay's efforts make it possible for those without the time, patience or desire to create their own PCBs with extremely small surface-mount components to participate in the !OpenServo community. Colin !MacKenzie provided the original inspiration for the development of the !OpenServo. Colin developed a similar servo board called the [http://www.colinmackenzie.net/ SuperServo] for his Symapod robot using the PIC16C73A and was kind enough to share his design. Aspects of Colin's hardware design were borrowed for the !OpenServo. == Contact == The best way to contact the developers of the !OpenServo is to leave a message in the [http://www.openservo.com/forums/ OpenServo Forums] within the appropriate section. The forum is actively monitored and your questions will be answered in a manner that benefits everyone in the !OpenServo community. If you prefer, you may contact the lead developer, Barry Carter, at the following email address: [mailto:servo@openservo.com servo@openservo.com]