 Education Beginner Robotics Kits Elenco iBOTZ Grandport Grandport Starter Kits Grandport ES Series Kits Grandport MS Series Kits Parallax Solarbotics Mousebots Other Solarbotics Robot Kits Sumovore Mini-Sumo Sumovore Parts and Accessories Modular Robotics Systems Lego Lego Kits 3rd Party Lego Accessories Robobuilder Robobuilder Kits Robobuilder Parts and Accessories Robotis Bioloid Bioloid Kits Bioloid Accessories 3rd Party Bioloid Accessories Advanced Robotis System Vex VEX Kits VEX Parts & Accessories VEX Software VEXplorer System Advanced Robotics and Tools CoroWare Humanoids Phidgets Robotics Connection Hardware and Accessories Robot Kits Serializer Robot Controller Robotics Connection Sensors Surveyor Robot Kits Hexapod Robot Kits Micromagic Systems Hexapods Beginner Robot Kits Elenco iBOTZ Parallax SumoBots Track and Wheel Bots Parallax BOE Bot Parallax SumoBots Robotics Connection Hardware and Accessories Robot Kits Robotics Connection Sensors Serializer Robot Controller Solarbotics Mousebots Sumovore Parts and Accessories Surveyor SRV-1 VEXplorer Humanoid Robot Kits Bioloid Robot Kits Bioloid Kits Bioloid Accessories 3rd Party Bioloid Accessories Advanced Robotis System Futaba Hitec Robonova Kondo Kyosho Robobuilder Robobuilder Kits Robobuilder Parts and Accessories TOMY Full Robotics Systems Robobuilder Robobuilder Kits Robobuilder Parts and Accessories Bioloid Robot System Bioloid Kits Bioloid Accessories 3rd Party Bioloid Accessories Advanced Robotis System VEX VEX Kits VEX Parts & Accessories VEX Software VEXplorer System Lego Mindstorms Lego Kits 3rd Party LEGO Accessories Pan and Tilt Robot Parts Communication Wireless Communication Radio Control (R/C) IR / Infrared Bluetooth Xbee & Zigbee Remote Control Adapters/Converters I/O Boards & Robot Controllers Phidget I/O Boards Relays & Switching Controls Robotics Connection Serializer BASIC Stamp Atmel PIC Magazines Motor & Servo Controllers DC Motor Controllers Servo Controllers Stepper Motor Controllers Motors / Servos / Actuators DC Motors BaneBots Lynxmotion Solarbotics Accessories Servos Hobby Servos Robot Servos Continuous Rotation Servo Cables Stepper Motors Linear Actuators Wiring / Cables Wiring Servo Cables & Extenders Sensor Cables Multipin Cable Connectors USB/Serial Cables & Hubs Mechanics Modular Drive Units Motor Mounts / Bearing Blocks Nuts/Bolts/Washers/Standoffs Robotic Bracket Systems BAUER Independents Hitec Lynxmotion Robotis DX Series Sensor Brackets Straps Tools Transmissions / Gearboxes Wheels / Hubs / Casters BaneBots Hub and Wheel System Casters and Transfers Lynxmotion Shaft Mounted Wheels Servo Mounted Wheels Solarbotics GM Series Wheels Sensors Switches Floor Mat Switches Bumper / Momentary Distance / Range Sensors Accelerometers / Gyro Force Sensors / Pressure / Touch Sensors Encoders Motion Sensors Environmental Sensors Navigation Input Sensors Joysticks Remote Rotation Sliders Touch Sensors Voltage & Current Sensors Sensor Cables and Accessories Vision & Cameras Power Battery Chargers Portable / Batteries Voltage Regulators Wall Mounted AC-DC Adapters Lighting and Displays Lasers LED Controller Boards LEDs Text LCD Garage Sale RFID RFID Readers RFID Tags 125 Khz 13.56 MHz Starter Kits RFID Books
|
|
|
| |
| What is bridgeware? |
| Short answer: Bridgeware are components that bridge the gap between
the worlds of computer programming and electronics.
Longer answer: Bridgeware components translate the signals of external
electronics hardware into a signal a computer can understand. They can
be thought of as a form of adaptor board or signal converter board.
Essentially bridgeware allows computer programmers to interface with
electronics such as sensors and motor controllers right from their
native programming environment. Most bridgeware comes with a software
API which expose particular device functions to the developer. Some
bridgeware has simple common serial interfacing and it's up to a
developer to create their own API/Wrapper. Either way bridgeware allows
programmers to do one important thing; reach out off their computer
screens and allow their code to interact with the real world. |
| |
| Who uses bridgeware? |
| Bridgeware components are used in robotics, home automation, data
collection, RFID, and other similar areas. Bridgeware is most
often used by educators, students, hobbyists, researchers, small
businesses, and even artists. |
| |
| What can I do with bridgeware? |
| The quick answer to that is, just about anything your imagination
can think of. People build robots out of their PCs, automatic dog
feeders, backyard water spraying defense systems, grill temperature
monitoring systems, science experiments, school projects, quick pay RFID
systems for restaurants, and all kinds of other fun projects. Any kind
of bridgeware boils down to one of two main types of actions, sensory
input or control output. Just exactly what you do with these two things
is totally up to you! |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
| Where can I see a list of all the types of bridgeware available? |
Funny you should ask! It just so happens that we are the largest
retailer of bridgeware. You can browse the catalog to see what kind of bridgeware components are
out there.
I/O Boards & Robot Controllers
Motor Controllers
Sensors
Or visit the whole
Parts Section
to see everything |
| |
| What else should I know? |
| Below are some video introductions to help explain bridgeware
further. If you have any other questions or want to talk to people about
project ideas you can join our community and participate in the
forums here. |
|
|
|
A quickie video introduction to bridgeware |
|
|
| |
|
An extended bridgeware introduction video |
|
|
| |
|