An Introduction To Platforms

When we decided to create this website, it was with the intention of creating an interactive website that would help its users build awesome mechatronical prototypes across three platforms: , and . In the following sections, we'll go through each of these platforms, explaining their uses and why we recommend them in the first place.

Platforms?

When we're talking about platforms, we're of course not talking about a physical foundation. A platform is in this sense, a collection of compatible products that all work together. For the Spike Prime, the platform is all LEGO bricks and LEGO tech-components that are compatible with the Spike Prime. For Arduino and Raspberry Pi, the platforms are all the technology components that are compatible with them. In addition, Arduino has multiple Arduino specific microcontrollers and products, and so does Raspberry Pi. However, some of these products are cross-compatible with each other, e.g, most Arduino products works with a Raspberry Pi and vice versa. Because of this, you can say that Arduino and Raspberry Pi has a shared platform, while the Spike Prime is limited to only LEGO products.

Arduino

The Arduino platform is by far the largest out of the three we're discussing. Their microcontrollers are cheap, comes in many different sizes and specifications, and has a huge fan community. Programming wise, an Arduino can be a bit frustrating to program, but with Arduino's own and a large amount of build-in code examples, it makes it doable.

For a more in debt description of an Arduino, check out the .

Below you'll find our ideas on pros and cons for the Arduino platform. Pros

  1. Cheap platform with a lot of good quaility knockoff products
  2. A great beginners prototyping tool
  3. Large helpful community
  4. Good for simple to more advanced prototypes

Cons

  1. Programming an Arduino can be hard
  2. It's easy to accidental short circuit an Arduino when working with more than 9V
  3. Setting up an Arduino can prove to be difficult and requires a computer

An Arduino UNO

Raspberry Pi

Second in line, we have the Raspberry Pi platform. This platform also has a large fan following and even more possibilities when it comes to prototyping. The Raspberry Pi platform also includes many different types of microcontrollers, or I guess you could even call them micro computers as most Raspberry Pi's works as a small computer, enabling a keyboard and mouse setup, internet access, speaker setups, multiple monitors support, etc. However, with extra functions, comes extra an price, so the Raspberry Pi's aren't as cheap an option as an Arduino.

For a more in debt description of an Raspberry Pi, check out the .

Below you'll find our ideas on pros and cons for the Raspberry Pi platform. Pros

  1. By far the most options for prototyping
  2. Works on its own and does not require a computer for setup or prototyping
  3. Enables python programming among other programming languages
  4. Cross compatible with Arduino products
  5. Excellent for advanced and expert prototypes, while still being great for creating beginners prototypes

Cons

  1. It's a bit more pricey option
  2. You need to know what you want to do as the Raspberry Pi can do so much more than being used for mechatronical prototyping
  3. The pins on the Raspberry Pi are a bit more complicated to get to, and to get working the same way as Arduino pins
  4. Since the Raspberry Pi as standard is an uncovered circuit, the board is exposed to be damaged

A Raspberry Pi 4

LEGO Spike Prime

Finally, we're at the LEGO Spike Prime. What truly makes the Spike Prime awesome, is LEGO's idea of "system in play" which is the idea that every LEGO product should fit together, and for the most part, they do! The Spike Prime is by far the easiest platform to get into. It's a product designed for educational purposes, and everything is pretty much just "Plug and Play". The platform is not very big and does not include many components which limits prototype flexibility. That being said, every component will work 99% of the time, even without having to write a single line of code. Sadly, the Spike Prime, being a LEGO product, is very expensive, and therefore takes more commitment to buy.

You can find more information about the Spike Prime through its .

Below this, the pros and cons of the Spike Prime platform can be found. Pros

  1. The easiest and quickest prototyping tool
  2. Super durable
  3. LEGO bricks serves as a great tool to include physical prototypes
  4. Supports both scratch and python
  5. Built in battery
  6. Building LEGO is awesome!

Cons

  1. Insanely expensive
  2. Limited to only LEGO products and components
  3. Can for the most part only be used for simple prototypes
  4. Smaller fan base

A Spike Prime

Articles mentioning this page

Introductions