RoboSavvy Forum

Manoi available for sale at RoboSavvy

2007-02-20T19:18:04+01:00

Like most people, I've run into manufacturers who are unapproachable Some are just in the business to make money. Pure and simple. Doesn't matter if the product is even fit for purpose.

That seems to happen mainly with the big boys. Smaller companies sometimes appear unapproachable because they are limited on resources.

From Kondo's site, I assume they aren't a massive company.

Statistics: Posted by PaulP — Tue Feb 20, 2007 7:18 pm

Manoi available for sale at RoboSavvy

2007-02-20T19:06:19+01:00

Dave[TR] wrote:
For the last time Ira, I don't have time to learn Japanese!

Domo Aregato.

Statistics: Posted by slashsplat — Tue Feb 20, 2007 7:06 pm

Manoi available for sale at RoboSavvy

2007-02-20T15:58:57+01:00

slashsplat wrote:
PaulP wrote:...are Kondo and other manufacturers approachable?
Not from what I have seen. Vendors have been researching for months HOW to get me the parts to add waist movement and cannot even get an answer on what to BUY. Given that, and their apparent inability to talk directly to the manufacturers, as opposed to a Japanese distributor, it does not seem like they are AT ALL approachable.

I'd just like to chime in on this issue. I'm sure that the manufacturers are as friendly and approachable as anyone else. The difficulty really lies in getting in touch with the right people. I'm currently blocked by a brick wall of middlemen. It's always tough being an early adopter.

slashsplat wrote:
And none of the vendors seem to be able to speak Japanese...

For the last time Ira, I don't have time to learn Japanese!

Statistics: Posted by Dave[TR] — Tue Feb 20, 2007 3:58 pm

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2007-02-19T10:31:49+01:00

tempusmaster wrote:
...6'7" actually...

I stand TALL corrected!

Statistics: Posted by slashsplat — Mon Feb 19, 2007 10:31 am

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2007-02-19T10:15:59+01:00

slashsplat wrote:
PaulP wrote:...Is the firmware on an RCB3 upgradeable?
Not to my ignorant knowledge. Seen NOTHING to indicate that is possible.

Probably not, but anything is possible.

PaulP wrote:...Is the firmware on Manoi and KHR-1HV the same?
There are two RCB-3 controllers, one is designated the "J" modela and does not support the "serial" mode of the Kondo servos. I don't remember what the the 1HV uses...

Both the MANOI AT01 and the KHR-1HV use the RCB3. The KHR-2HV uses the RCB3J. The first two use KRS-4024HV servos while the later doesn't. The English manual (KHR-2HV) says-

"ICS2.0 is specified to KRS-4014HV and KRS-4013HV, but it has not yet corresponded to RCB3J, you cannot set ICS on the board with RCB3J."

The 4024 doesn't appear to be 2.0, but since all the 4000 series servos have the same case/form-factor they are apparently using the RCB3 for designs that use any of the 4000 series. Quite a few of the AT01 users here have used 4013's in place of the 4024s for the pitch servos to take advantage of the increased torque.

PaulP wrote:...What is the link just below the servo 1 connection for?
That would be the "power supply" setup pins, if you mean the one immediately next to servo 1. The next three below that one are the analog inputs for the servos. I cannot find what the power pins are for...

I don't have the docs with me, but the link (pins with a jumper) you're referring to is probably the connection for the booster module. It's typically used when you use the RCB3 with a custom design or are upgrading an older robot and have to use a mix of the low and high voltage servos.

PaulP wrote:...They appear to be manufactured with the intention that some people will take them further. Am I right in thinking this?
I don't really think so. They barely post the protocol for the comm to the board, much less allow you much in the way of custom programming. What exactly might you be talking about?

The fact that they did go to the trouble of openly releasing the command protocols seems to indicate that they expected someone to do something with them. How far the RCB3 can be taken really remains to be seen.

PaulP wrote:...are Kondo and other manufacturers approachable?
Not from what I have seen. Vendors have been researching for months HOW to get me the parts to add waist movement and cannot even get an answer on what to BUY. Given that, and their apparent inability to talk directly to the manufacturers, as opposed to a Japanese distributor, it does not seem like they are AT ALL approachable. This will change as we develop a REAL market here in the US... Things are much different in Japan. And none of the vendors seem to be able to speak Japanese...

About as approachable as most companies are anywhere in the world.

The only English-speaking person in the World who seems to be able to dialogue with them is Lem, the tempusmaster... He LIVES in Japan. And he is 6'4", so he has the physical advantage

6'7" actually, and it's a real physical disadvantage on this side of the ocean. Frankly, I'm just a kind, friendly, open, lovable kind of a guy.

Statistics: Posted by tempusmaster — Mon Feb 19, 2007 10:15 am

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2007-02-19T09:37:40+01:00

thanks for that slashsplat

the 1HV uses the RCB3 not the J, as does the Manoi. I was wondering whether the firmward itself was the same though from your other answers theres no way of knowing although very likely.

There appears to be either an error in the protocol document (most likely) or a failed command in the protocol implementation. One or two particular commands that would be most useful to API programmers do not function as documented.

I suppose my main question was would Kondo ever fix it or give us the opportunity to fix it ourselves?

Statistics: Posted by PaulP — Mon Feb 19, 2007 9:37 am

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2007-02-19T07:56:28+01:00

PaulP wrote:
...Is the firmware on an RCB3 upgradeable?

Not to my ignorant knowledge. Seen NOTHING to indicate that is possible.

PaulP wrote:
...Is the firmware on Manoi and KHR-1HV the same?

There are two RCB-3 controllers, one is designated the "J" modela and does not support the "serial" mode of the Kondo servos. I don't remember what the the 1HV uses...

PaulP wrote:
...What is the link just below the servo 1 connection for?

That would be the "power supply" setup pins, if you mean the one immediately next to servo 1. The next three below that one are the analog inputs for the servos. I cannot find what the power pins are for...

PaulP wrote:
...They appear to be manufactured with the intention that some people will take them further. Am I right in thinking this?

I don't really think so. They barely post the protocol for the comm to the board, much less allow you much in the way of custom programming. What exactly might you be talking about?

PaulP wrote:
...are Kondo and other manufacturers approachable?

Not from what I have seen. Vendors have been researching for months HOW to get me the parts to add waist movement and cannot even get an answer on what to BUY. Given that, and their apparent inability to talk directly to the manufacturers, as opposed to a Japanese distributor, it does not seem like they are AT ALL approachable. This will change as we develop a REAL market here in the US... Things are much different in Japan. And none of the vendors seem to be able to speak Japanese...

The only English-speaking person in the World who seems to be able to dialogue with them is Lem, the tempusmaster... He LIVES in Japan. And he is 6'4", so he has the physical advantage

Statistics: Posted by slashsplat — Mon Feb 19, 2007 7:56 am

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2007-02-18T20:21:13+01:00

Okay, a couple of questions.

Is the firmware on an RCB3 upgradeable?

Is the firmware on Manoi and KHR-1HV the same?

What is the link just below the servo 1 connection for?

I get the impression from some of the Robot manufacturers sites that their philosophy is that the end product of the kit is not all these robots are supposed to be. They appear to be manufactured with the intention that some people will take them further. Am I right in thinking this? and if so, are Kondo and other manufacturers approachable?

Statistics: Posted by PaulP — Sun Feb 18, 2007 8:21 pm

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2007-02-18T01:17:28+01:00

PaulP wrote:
splashsplat / rep001

could one of you possibly post an image of the manoi without the plastic shells fitted please...

Ignore the above request, just found one.

Can someone explain the difference between Kyosho and Kondo as the Manoi seems to be riddled with Kondo bits.

Here's a short article that explains the MANOI AT01 development background and the connection between Kyosho and Kondo. The print version, if you can locate a copy, is much longer and more detailed.

The MANOI PF01, which will hit store shelves in April also uses Kondo 4000 series servos and the RCB3 controller, though the frame design and body shells are considerably different.

Statistics: Posted by tempusmaster — Sun Feb 18, 2007 1:17 am

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2007-02-17T19:32:08+01:00

splashsplat / rep001

could one of you possibly post an image of the manoi without the plastic shells fitted please...

Ignore the above request, just found one.

Can someone explain the difference between Kyosho and Kondo as the Manoi seems to be riddled with Kondo bits.

Statistics: Posted by PaulP — Sat Feb 17, 2007 7:32 pm

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2007-01-08T17:00:39+01:00

Thanks !
I used curved modellers scissors to cut as close to the lines as possible then a scalpel handle no.3 (Swan Morton) to suit no.10 blade (Same) and cut the rest by hand SLOWLY.
There are a couple of rough areas but will retrim when i have sprayed and then peeled off the protective outer film.

Statistics: Posted by rep001 — Mon Jan 08, 2007 5:00 pm

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2007-01-08T03:11:28+01:00

rep001 wrote:
this takes a while to cut out but worth it...

Just finished doing the ROUGH cut on the lexan. What a pain. The diagrams are marginal. Your picture is FANTASTIC and perfect timing. What did you use for the final cutting???

(I haven't touched anything on the bot other than that all day... Really want to work on the setup, but gonna watch the Bitchin' Houswives for a hoot!)

Statistics: Posted by slashsplat — Mon Jan 08, 2007 3:11 am

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2007-01-07T23:31:41+01:00

http://robosavvy.com/Builders/rep001/Fu ... 0paint.jpg

Splashsplat, this takes a while to cut out but worth it . Looking forward to finishing off with some colour then writting up the notes and learning to put some moves together.
how you getting along there

Statistics: Posted by rep001 — Sun Jan 07, 2007 11:31 pm

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2007-01-01T21:12:18+01:00

rep001 wrote:
...

...

What kind of file is this? OOPS, FireFox just does not know what to do with it. I opened it in MS IE and it was a cool picture.

REP001, I have mine structurally assembled as of 4:30am... That was a long 8 hours. But I have no idea what I was doing. Running the English ver of H2H3 and zero'd the servos. Have yet to power up with all connected. That is for tomorrow. Was not as bad as I expected. More to come.

Statistics: Posted by slashsplat — Mon Jan 01, 2007 9:12 pm

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2007-01-01T20:06:51+01:00

OoOOpOpPpSS !

Maybe started on the New Year Celebrations a tad early.

I have set the Home position and written it to the board ,now he will return to home pos when switched on.

Statistics: Posted by rep001 — Mon Jan 01, 2007 8:06 pm