Robotic projects require powerful and reliable microcontrollers that can handle complex tasks while keeping costs low. BeagleBone boards are popular choices for robotics projects due to their powerful processors, flexible I/O options, and open-source software. But which BeagleBone board is the best for robotics – the BeagleBone Black or the BeagleBone Blue? Let's take a closer look and compare the two.
BeagleBone Black
The BeagleBone Black is the most popular BeagleBone board on the market. It is powered by a 1GHz Sitara AM3358 ARM Cortex-A8 processor and has 512MB DDR3 RAM. The board features two 46-pin headers that provide access to 65 I/O pins, eight analog inputs, two PWM outputs, and other interfaces such as Ethernet, USB, and HDMI.
Pros
- Cheap and widely available
- Fast processor and a good amount of RAM
- 65 I/O pins with flexible configuration
- Large user community and plenty of resources available
Cons
- Limited number of PWM pins
- No built-in wireless connectivity
BeagleBone Blue
The BeagleBone Blue is a development board aimed specifically at robotics applications. It has a 1GHz AM335x processor with 512MB of DDR3 RAM and a built-in TI Wi-Fi and Bluetooth module. The board features two DC motor controllers, four quadrature encoder inputs, and eight PWM pins for controlling servos or other devices.
Pros
- Built with robotics in mind
- Built-in wireless connectivity
- Dedicated DC motor controllers
- More PWM pins for servo control
Cons
- Fewer I/O pins compared to BeagleBone Black
- Slightly more expensive
Comparison
| Feature | BeagleBone Black | BeagleBone Blue |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | 1GHz | 1GHz |
| RAM | 512MB | 512MB |
| I/O Pins | 65 | 48 |
| PWM Pins | 2 | 8 |
| Wireless Connectivity | No | Yes |
| DC Motor Controllers | No | 2 |
| Price | $55 | $80 |
Both BeagleBone Black and BeagleBone Blue boards have their pros and cons. BeagleBone Black is a more versatile board with more I/O pins, while BeagleBone Blue is tailored specifically for robotics projects with built-in motor controllers and wireless connectivity.
Lack of wireless connectivity and fewer PWM pins restrict the usage of BeagleBone Black in mobility-centered projects, however, is a more affordable option compared to BeagleBone Blue.
On the other hand, BeagleBone Blue's wireless connectivity and built-in motor controllers ease the complexity of robotics projects, but it comes at a higher price compared to BeagleBone Black.
Conclusion
Each board has its own strengths and weaknesses, so choosing the right one depends on your requirements. If you need more flexibility and are on a budget, BeagleBone Black is a great option. If you're specifically designing a robotics application that requires built-in motor controllers and wireless connectivity, then BeagleBone Blue will be worth the higher price point.
Whatever you choose, both boards offer outstanding capabilities that will allow you to excel in robotics.
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