RoboSavvy Forum

New Robobuilder for me!!!

2009-08-11T17:57:19+01:00

Ketchup wrote:
YES! I started assembling it last night (only had about 40 minutes) I swapped ID6 & ID9. I brought it to work with me to swap those back and complete it at lunch break. I have the battery charging now.

This thing is big (compared to my iSobot)!

My 4-year old daughter keeps saying, "make it a doggy!" In time.

Yeah, the iSobot's shoulders only come up to RoboBuilder's crotch. The added size allows RoboBuilder to be more stable in general. For example unlike the iSobot, it can even walk on carpet (as long as it's not too long).

It took me three sessions to assemble it; the first two were a couple of hours and the last was for the final touches. Despite carefully following the videos and instructions, I assembled one of the legs up-sided-own

Good luck with the rest of the build.

Statistics: Posted by ED209 — Tue Aug 11, 2009 5:57 pm

New Robobuilder for me!!!

2009-08-11T15:13:27+01:00

YES! I started assembling it last night (only had about 40 minutes) I swapped ID6 & ID9. I brought it to work with me to swap those back and complete it at lunch break. I have the battery charging now.

This thing is big (compared to my iSobot)!

My 4-year old daughter keeps saying, "make it a doggy!" In time.

Statistics: Posted by Ketchup — Tue Aug 11, 2009 3:13 pm

New Robobuilder for me!!!

2009-08-09T14:11:14+01:00

Robobuilder is a company that has been around for a long time.
They were previously known as MegaRobotics and then changed to Robobuilder when the 57XX line up was released I believe.

They also seem to be quite big here: in KRGF I saw many and Clarence from AMO Singapure also says it's quite popular there.

Not as big as robotis but nevertheless they have great exposure.

In terms of accessories we'd be happy to supply them to you There will be some changes in the line up we'll be selling (that I outlined above) but other than that we intend to continue carrying and supporting it.

With regards to MSRDS support, the free libraries available from RB are quite basic/limited.
They can't read the acc sensor nor the distance sensor (or any other sensor for that matter).
They are only used to send "Motion Play", "Sound Play", and "Action Play" commands (I'm not sure on this last one).

If you have some programming expertise I would go with the RBC API they released recently.
That's the most complete API they have released to date.

Statistics: Posted by PedroR — Sun Aug 09, 2009 2:11 pm

New Robobuilder for me!!!

2009-08-08T22:15:16+01:00

Grrr. UPS was supposed to deliver it yesterday. Now I have to wait until Monday.

Oh, the MRDS Robobuilder "brick" only works with the older "2008" version of Microsoft Robotics Development Studio, not the "R2" version.

Statistics: Posted by Ketchup — Sat Aug 08, 2009 10:15 pm

New Robobuilder for me!!!

2009-08-05T15:27:49+01:00

Thanks PedroR for the good info.

I did get a reply from Sunny @ Robobuilder last night. They said they are working with another US company to carry their products.

My concern was parts availability as in the past I've purchased some other hobby items only to have those companies shut down shortly thereafter and then was stuck without parts and support.

Looks like there's no shortage of this!

I also thought shipping from outside the US to me would be real costly. It's not. Comparing Robosavvy's shipping price with another company "down under", no worries!

Now I'm really "pumped" to know I've got fun on the way, parts when I want them and tons of support!

Thanks all!

Statistics: Posted by Ketchup — Wed Aug 05, 2009 3:27 pm

New Robobuilder for me!!!

2009-08-05T05:01:32+01:00

Hi all

I just wanted to reassure you, on behalf of Robosavvy, that Robobuilder is not discontinuing any of their product line ups.

There are also no new Robobuilders coming up in the near future that I know about.

They are now busy promoting their "Educational" version which retails over 2 000 USD (over 1 600 GBP inc VAT) and is essentially a 5720T with Acc Sensor, Bluetooth and a few extras like PS2 controller + Complete libraries for MSRDS.

For the average user, the only Robobuilder libraries available for MSRDS are the Remocon libraries available for download on their website.

As for us at Robosavvy we intend to continue stocking Robobuilder, but we may stop stocking the transparent version though, because the demand for this variant is really reduced. We'll probably just keep the black version because it has a very good price /quality relation being the cheapest humanoid we have in the "Advanced Humanoids" department. It's a great proposal for beginner to intermediate users.

Someone also posted here that they bought a Transparent version because it came with distance sensor.
Let me emphasize that all 5710K we sell at Robosavvy include the distance Sensor. We offer it with all Robots.

In a few months we'll probably be upgrading the number of included sensors in Robobuilders 5710K sold by Robosavvy to include the extra Distance Sensor (which we already do) + the Acc Sensor already in the RBC box (this would be new).
However it is undecided if we'll go ahead with this and we don't know the price changes it may imply as well.

Robobuilder has been doing very well in Europe and Asia but for some reason it did not really gain traction in the US and that's probably why US shops are dropping it....

Statistics: Posted by PedroR — Wed Aug 05, 2009 5:01 am

New Robobuilder for me!!!

2009-08-04T19:09:43+01:00

Thanks, Tyberius.
I just got the e-mail from Jen @ Trossen about that.

I was getting a little worried for a moment!

Statistics: Posted by Ketchup — Tue Aug 04, 2009 7:09 pm

New Robobuilder for me!!!

2009-08-04T18:55:57+01:00

Just to shed some light on this:

Trossen Robotics is no longer going to carry the Robobuilder line, however this is not in response to the company going out of business. We're simply no longer going to stock the products. As far as I know, they are not discontinuing any of their products.

You can still find the full line of products here at Robosavvy however! =)

Statistics: Posted by Tyberius — Tue Aug 04, 2009 6:55 pm

New Robobuilder for me!!!

2009-08-04T18:27:37+01:00

Ketchup wrote:
... I just noticed that the place I bought it from isn't selling parts for it and I can't seem to find any other US retailers for Robobuilder.

Does this mean Robobuilder is going out of business?

Tell me this isn't so!

I purchased mine (at the full price ) not too long ago from http://www.robotshop.us/. After purchasing it, I noticed that they haven't had it in stock since. Granted, they don't have many of the other kits in stock either.

It's possible Robobuilder is about to announce a new version to compete with the new Bioloid, and the retailers know about it; hence the lack of stock and price-cuts. Although, you'd think they wouldn't stop supplying parts for the current models. Hmm.

BTW, I'll be keeping a close eye on the new Bioloid kit over the coming months... I might have to pick one up, eventually.

Statistics: Posted by ED209 — Tue Aug 04, 2009 6:27 pm

New Robobuilder for me!!!

2009-08-04T17:49:12+01:00

OK. I think I found info on the battery. It looks to be a 7-cell NiMh 100mAh pack. If I can't find one, I'll have to make them.

I just noticed that the place I bought it from isn't selling parts for it and I can't seem to find any other US retailers for Robobuilder.

Does this mean Robobuilder is going out of business?

Tell me this isn't so!

Statistics: Posted by Ketchup — Tue Aug 04, 2009 5:49 pm

New Robobuilder for me!!!

2009-08-04T17:40:04+01:00

Ketchup wrote:
Thanks for the insight! I do want to make sure nothing gets pinched and I'll make sure to have a notebook next to me while I build for the vids.

My other hobby is radio controlled aircraft (many helicopters, too). They have a ton of small parts and I have a great place to build and manage the tiny bits so I'm in luck.

It sounds like you should be all set.

About two months ago I got into r/c planes. I can see how both r/c and robotics hobbies complement each other: both use servos, the latest battery technologies, etc.

Here's an prime example - r/c heli parts used to create a simple bot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoICzQpVCeA

I'm starting out with an EasyGlider Electric. It's pretty fun. My many years of video gaming has definitely helped me pick up the controls. Although, I can't imagine piloting a heli; the EasyGlider can be a handful on a windy (OK... breezy ) day.

Ketchup wrote:
How long does the battery last that it comes with? (How many cells and what's the capacity? NiMih, I assume?)

I also have a bunch of assorted small 2 & 3 cell LiPo packs. For the LiPo "upgrade" does it use the 3 cell packs? (I saw the LiPo firmware update)

I haven't opened the core unit, and I haven't really investigated the battery. I believe it's a NiMH.

The battery seems to last between 15 - 30 minutes.

Statistics: Posted by ED209 — Tue Aug 04, 2009 5:40 pm

New Robobuilder for me!!!

2009-08-04T16:59:48+01:00

Thanks for the insight! I do want to make sure nothing gets pinched and I'll make sure to have a notebook next to me while I build for the vids.

My other hobby is radio controlled aircraft (many helicopters, too). They have a ton of small parts and I have a great place to build and manage the tiny bits so I'm in luck.

How long does the battery last that it comes with? (How many cells and what's the capacity? NiMih, I assume?)

I also have a bunch of assorted small 2 & 3 cell LiPo packs. For the LiPo "upgrade" does it use the 3 cell packs? (I saw the LiPo firmware update)

Statistics: Posted by Ketchup — Tue Aug 04, 2009 4:59 pm

New Robobuilder for me!!!

2009-08-04T16:41:18+01:00

Ketchup wrote:
Mine should be delivered this Friday so I think my weekend will be spent indoors!

I recommend performing the assembly in a well lit area and with the instruction manual and the videos (one for each step) in front of you.

For each step, I used the manual to determine which parts and how many of them I needed. Then I mainly used the video to see how to do the assembly; I needed to pause and rewind it at key points. It helped me determine the orientation of each servo, etc. Also take note as to how the wires are tucked away or wrapped around parts.

While you are putting the limbs together, you can make sure the core unit is ready to go as soon as you're done by recharging it in advance. Take note that to recharge the core unit, it isn't just a matter of connecting it to the AC adapter. You need power on the core unit, and then press the PF1 and PF2 buttons (on the core unit) at the same time. (See page 91).

Good luck!

Statistics: Posted by ED209 — Tue Aug 04, 2009 4:41 pm

New Robobuilder for me!!!

2009-08-04T15:40:11+01:00

Hey, no sweat, ED209!
This is info I'll need, too!

Mine should be delivered this Friday so I think my weekend will be spent indoors!

Statistics: Posted by Ketchup — Tue Aug 04, 2009 3:40 pm

New Robobuilder for me!!!

2009-08-04T15:30:10+01:00

l3v3rz, Thanks for the links!

i-Bot, Thanks for the info! I'll have to give it a try. I'll report back to confirm that I got it to work.

Ketchup, Sorry for hijacking your thread

Statistics: Posted by ED209 — Tue Aug 04, 2009 3:30 pm