Building USB-Controlled Robot on Budget

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A user is building a budget-friendly USB-controlled robot that will hold a UMPC connected to the internet. They seek affordable microcontrollers capable of producing PWM signals to control the speed of a 12V motor. The user has programming experience in multiple languages, including BASIC and C++. Suggestions include using an Arduino with a motor shield and potentially a Bluetooth shield for control. The discussion emphasizes the need for cost-effective solutions and easy interfacing options.
MRClark32493
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I am new to electrical engineering, and have several questions involving a project that i have begun. The project is that i am building a 'robot' that will hold a UMPC connected to the internet, and the 'robot' itself will be controlled USB through the UMPC. I am looking to spend as little money as possible to do this, and am looking for cheep solutions. I am looking for some micro-controller that will communicate via either serial or USB that will be able to vary the speeds of a 12v motor. I have speed controllers that take PWM and convert it to a varying 12v signal, but i need a cheep, easily interfacable controller that can produce a PWM signal. I have some programing knowledge, and can program in BASIC, .NET, C#, C++, and C. All help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Matt.
 
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