Choices Choices
Choices Choices
by Orac
Fri Feb 23, 2007 1:07 pm
Hi all,
Fantastic website, i've been prowling around for a while and just thought i'd put some of my thoughts down in a post.
A bit of background, I'm a graduate Engineer (Electronic and Computer Engineering), I have a reasonable knowledge of electronics, processors, controllers, etc although most of my knowledge is around 12 years old so 8051 was the controller of choice back then and programming in assembly language
Been festering for a while and very rusty on programming, etc. i competed in the UK TV show "Robotwars" for several years and homebuilt my own speed controllers, etc.
With that in mind, i'm looking for a little advice on which humanoid kit would be right for me
Robonova - good basic kit, good support, been out long enough for most issues to have been sorted, good documentation and software. Maybe not challenging enough and technology is a couple of years old now.
Kondo KHR-1HV - more advanced kit and good for experimenting but some issues with software and poor documentation.
Manoi AT01 - better engineered, more agile and powerful but lacks english support documentation and software
Upcoming Futaba/HPI - 2 hour construction time, seems more like a toy, not sure how much scope there would be for experimenting.
I'm swinging towards the Manoi but it seems that the software and instructions/support being non-english, would cause real dificulties getting it to do anything "out of the box" and it would maybe take a long time to get to a stage where I could start to customise and experiment.
There is no hurry so I'm kind of thinking that if I wait a couple of months, the Manoi may appear marketed for the rest of the world and also, there may be some new players / models available.
Your thoughs are greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Fantastic website, i've been prowling around for a while and just thought i'd put some of my thoughts down in a post.
A bit of background, I'm a graduate Engineer (Electronic and Computer Engineering), I have a reasonable knowledge of electronics, processors, controllers, etc although most of my knowledge is around 12 years old so 8051 was the controller of choice back then and programming in assembly language
Been festering for a while and very rusty on programming, etc. i competed in the UK TV show "Robotwars" for several years and homebuilt my own speed controllers, etc.
With that in mind, i'm looking for a little advice on which humanoid kit would be right for me
Robonova - good basic kit, good support, been out long enough for most issues to have been sorted, good documentation and software. Maybe not challenging enough and technology is a couple of years old now.
Kondo KHR-1HV - more advanced kit and good for experimenting but some issues with software and poor documentation.
Manoi AT01 - better engineered, more agile and powerful but lacks english support documentation and software
Upcoming Futaba/HPI - 2 hour construction time, seems more like a toy, not sure how much scope there would be for experimenting.
I'm swinging towards the Manoi but it seems that the software and instructions/support being non-english, would cause real dificulties getting it to do anything "out of the box" and it would maybe take a long time to get to a stage where I could start to customise and experiment.
There is no hurry so I'm kind of thinking that if I wait a couple of months, the Manoi may appear marketed for the rest of the world and also, there may be some new players / models available.
Your thoughs are greatly appreciated.
Thanks
by lampcov
Fri Feb 23, 2007 4:01 pm
Orac-
The Manoi is a great bot, and as for English support, please check out the American Manoi Users Group at http://www.botconnect.com
We have an extensive wiki just for this purpose, plus all the wonderful help you'll get here at robosavvy!
Marc
The Manoi is a great bot, and as for English support, please check out the American Manoi Users Group at http://www.botconnect.com
We have an extensive wiki just for this purpose, plus all the wonderful help you'll get here at robosavvy!
Marc
by Big
Sun Feb 25, 2007 5:31 pm
Orac,
I also graduated in computer science over 20 years ago and am now in management so have not been hands on for a long time. I am now having to spend a lot of time away from home so have been looking for something to do in the evenings other than drink beer and hang out with all the other expats.
I got the idea for a robot from the Gadget show on 5 when they had the Robonova on. I have been surfing for a while now to undertsand the hobby and find which way I wanted to go. Well I have now decided. Tomorrow when I can get to a fax machine I am ordering an KHR-1HV with a accelaration sensor, usb remote control, and krg-3.
I am looking forward to building it and getting it all set up and sharing advice on how to build it etc.
I have spend all my life working on control systems but I think these biped robots are the best.
I also graduated in computer science over 20 years ago and am now in management so have not been hands on for a long time. I am now having to spend a lot of time away from home so have been looking for something to do in the evenings other than drink beer and hang out with all the other expats.
I got the idea for a robot from the Gadget show on 5 when they had the Robonova on. I have been surfing for a while now to undertsand the hobby and find which way I wanted to go. Well I have now decided. Tomorrow when I can get to a fax machine I am ordering an KHR-1HV with a accelaration sensor, usb remote control, and krg-3.
I am looking forward to building it and getting it all set up and sharing advice on how to build it etc.
I have spend all my life working on control systems but I think these biped robots are the best.
by PaulP
Sun Feb 25, 2007 6:10 pm
Hi Big / Orac
I bought my KHR-1HV late January this year, get the english version of the KHR-2HV construction to built it. There are about 4 or 5 pages that vary but its easy to work out from the pictures.
As to the software, I use the H2HJ english version to run mine, it works and as to yet I havent worked out what the difference is. I know its something to do with the RCB3 and ICS stuff but for the moment I'm not experienced enough in it to bother with that.
The english version of the H2HJ software will get you working there.
Essentially Orac, you mentioned 'Out of the box'. I think most people on here were apprehensive but they all got them to work out the box, stock moves and everything.
I think limor and some others were discussing a Wiki for each of the robots to put a single point of reference together for all this but i'm not sure how far off the ground that is yet...
I bought my KHR-1HV late January this year, get the english version of the KHR-2HV construction to built it. There are about 4 or 5 pages that vary but its easy to work out from the pictures.
As to the software, I use the H2HJ english version to run mine, it works and as to yet I havent worked out what the difference is. I know its something to do with the RCB3 and ICS stuff but for the moment I'm not experienced enough in it to bother with that.
The english version of the H2HJ software will get you working there.
Essentially Orac, you mentioned 'Out of the box'. I think most people on here were apprehensive but they all got them to work out the box, stock moves and everything.
I think limor and some others were discussing a Wiki for each of the robots to put a single point of reference together for all this but i'm not sure how far off the ground that is yet...
by Big
Sun Feb 25, 2007 6:23 pm
PaulP
If there is going to be a WiKi I would be very happy to contribute - once I myself am up to speed.
Looks like this is all going to fill a few evenings - which is excellent.
I will use the English Manual that is avaialble - I have already pulled a copy down from the web. There is a young lady in the team that has some Japanese so hopefully if I get really stuck she can help. She is an engineer so hopefully will not take the michael too much !
I am looking forward to posting some responses to other peoples technical quieries. I really got into the forum thing on my last big project.
What we really need on this forum, as I have seen on others, is a Work mode. So that the screen is all grey with no graphics so when your boss appears around the corner you are not embarrised
If there is going to be a WiKi I would be very happy to contribute - once I myself am up to speed.
Looks like this is all going to fill a few evenings - which is excellent.
I will use the English Manual that is avaialble - I have already pulled a copy down from the web. There is a young lady in the team that has some Japanese so hopefully if I get really stuck she can help. She is an engineer so hopefully will not take the michael too much !
I am looking forward to posting some responses to other peoples technical quieries. I really got into the forum thing on my last big project.
What we really need on this forum, as I have seen on others, is a Work mode. So that the screen is all grey with no graphics so when your boss appears around the corner you are not embarrised