ROBOTS DREAMS - Robot news and robot hacks from a true robot geek

RoboPhilo Junior - Neat New Remote Control

One of the high points during our review session with the RoboPhilo Junior was it's new PS2 gamepad type wireless controller. After struggling with IR based remotes (Robonova, I-SOBOT, the original RoboPhilo, etc.), the new controller is a breath of fresh air and a pleasure to use.

And, because almost everyone has played video games using this layout style, the button locations and functions are natural, almost intuitive.

The robot designers also realized that some customers may want their own custom layout, so they made it simple to remap the control keys (or combination of keys) so that it triggers any predefined command or motion.

The communication technology operated without a hitch during our testing sessions, though we should point out that we live in a semi-rural area without much radio or other electrical interference.

And, what are the best parts?

First, the new controller comes with the robot kit and is included in the purchase price, unlike other manufacturers that sometimes ask you to part with an additional $100 or more to get the same functionality.

Second, the new controller will be made available for use with the original RoboPhilo- a move that's sure to be applauded by owners everywhere.

Third, since the communication technology has been widely known for a long time and hacks documented on the Internet, it won't be long before users put together direct control apps to operate their robot directly from their PCs or networks.

[Posted from my iPhone]

RoboPhilo Junior Offers Great Price/Performance

We’re putting the final touches on another robot humanoid review, the new RoboPhilo Junior, and we have to say that we like it a lot.

The full review is scheduled for the September/October issue of Robot Magazine due out on the news stands on July 28^th. Without disclosing any ‘spoilers’ or ruining the plot for you, we can say that the RoboPhilo Junior follows in the footsteps of its popular older brother, the original RoboPhilo, in offering excellent price/performance, especially for humanoid robot fans that don’t have huge budgets.

RoboPhilo Humanoid Robot Under $500 Available Online

With just a few shopping days left before Christmas, we were very happy to see that the exciting RoboPhilo humanoid robot is available through the RoboBrothers website online store. We suspect it will pop up on other well known robot distributors websites momentarily. RoboPhilo comes in two configurations, a fully assembled version ready to walk for under $500, and a kit version for under $400.

We had the opportunity to do a detailed evaluation of the RoboPhilo robot for our product review that appeared in the Winter 2007 issue of Robot Magazine. The price/performance on this low cost yet fully featured robot is excellent, but we were even more impressed by it's open software architecture and the ability it provides for users to really get involved with the robot.

RoboPhilo: Motion Creator Conceptual Overview

 
  Conceptual mindmap of the RoboPhilo Motion Creator

The more we work with the new RoboPhilo humanoid robot, the better we like it. One significant factor that has us really turned on is the object oriented data structure used by RoboPhilo and the supplied Motion Creator software application.

Compared to other humanoid robot kits currently on the market, RoboPhilo is surprisingly easy to understand and work with. It's hierarchical data structure lends itself to creating extensive libraries of reusable poses, motion sequences, and routines.

Gort On RoboPhilo

Mike Overstreet, aka 'Gort' and aka "Boomer's father", got the chance to examine the new RoboPhilo entry level humanoid robot at the iHobby Expo 2007 show in Chicago last weekend. Although he had some concerns before he actually saw the working units, he came away very impressed and positive about the robot. We've included his detailed report of the encounter  below.

  Mike and Boomer at RoboGames 2007 earlier this year

iHobby Expo: ChiBots Fall Chibotica Robot Event Report

In conjunction with iHobby Expo last week, the Chicago Area Robotics Group, better known as Chibots, held its Fall Chibotica competition. From what we've seen in photos and videos from the event, it looks very impressive. Events included humanoids, combat robots, line followers, robot sumo, and much more.

Royce Pipkins, the Chibots president pictured wearing the white lab coat in the photo on the right was kind enough to share a detailed event report with all of us (see below).

The Other RoboPhilo Website

By now most people know about RoboPhilo and have visited the primary RoboPhilo website. But, they may not be aware that there is another RoboPhilo website where you can see videos of RoboPhilo in motion, get more details on his performance (especially an overview of the SDK/API), submit an application to join the online forum, and even contact them to place a pre-order.

Check it out at http://www.robobrothers.com.

iHobby Expo: Scotty's Robot Video Reports (Video)

Scotty from Ribo-Labs is a long standing Rpbots Dreams fan and has frequently pointed us in the right direction on hot stories. He was able to participate in, and report on, the robot events at iHobby Expo in Chicago last weekend. And, like all good robot reporters and fans, he had his video camera ready, willing, and able to capture the action as it happened.

His extensive collection of videos (see below) includes segments featuring RoboPhilo, humanoid wrestling, Lego sumo matches, line followers, and combat robots battling it out.

iHobby Expo: Early RoboPhilo Photos

 
Initial photo of RoboPhilo  from the iHobby Expo show this weekend in Chicago:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1533801

Don't worry, there are lots more on the way.

[via: RCGroups.com]

Exclusive: First Look At RoboPhilo In Action (Video)

 As our regular readers are already aware, the new RoboPhilo humanoid robot will be unveiled at iHobby Expo 2007 this week in Chicago. It will be definitely be interesting to see how the crowds react to this innovative new product and it's very attractive price/performance.

Unfortunately, we're hard at work here in Chiba, Japan this week, and won't be able to make it to the show in person. Still, if any of you are able to attend the show, please send us some photos and a brief write-up. We'd be happy to post them on Robots Dreams with full credit to you and a link back to your website.

And, just to provide a little extra encouragement, we put together a short video of RoboPhilo in action (see below).