Abstract
This publication compares the Hedgehog and Wallaby controllers, both of which are used in educational robotics tournaments such as Botball and PRIA-Open. We assess their technical specifications, practical usage, and price to determine their suitability for these robotics competitions.
Introduction
We evaluated the Wallaby controller, which is widely used in Botball, alongside the Hedgehog controller, developed by the Practical Robotics Institute Austria (PRIA). Key factors in our comparison include technical specifications, ease of use, and price, to guide teams in selecting the right controller for their needs.
History of the Hedgehog
- Developed by PRIA as a cost-effective robot controller, with the first version released in 2017.
History of the Wallaby
- Developed by the KISS Institute for Practical Robotics (KIPR), it is the successor to the Link controller and is widely used in Botball tournaments since 2016.
Technical Comparison
We compared the two controllers across multiple categories, including operating systems, programming capabilities, and battery performance.
Operating System
Both controllers run on Linux, but the Hedgehog allows for a wider range of customizable options.
Programming
- The Wallaby supports C and Java, while the Hedgehog can be programmed using Python and a visual programming language, making it more beginner-friendly.
Battery Performance
The Hedgehog’s battery performs slightly better, offering up to 30 minutes of usage, compared to the Wallaby’s 20 minutes.
General and Practical Usage
Both controllers offer valuable features for robotics teams, but each has its strengths:
- Wallaby’s built-in display aids in testing and debugging.
- Hedgehog’s live-team-programming feature allows multiple users to collaborate simultaneously.
Conclusion
Both the Hedgehog and Wallaby controllers are reliable choices for robotics competitions, with each offering unique advantages depending on user needs and budget. The Hedgehog is more affordable and compact, while the Wallaby offers more programming versatility. Choosing between them depends on specific project requirements and the user’s prior experience with programming languages.
Special Cooperation Partner
- David Fischer, BSc., website: konst.fish
Publication Link
You can read the full publication on the Robo4You website here.