Is RoboBuilder "better" than MANOI AT01?
Is RoboBuilder "better" than MANOI AT01?
by IgorT
Thu Nov 25, 2010 9:24 pm
I've been reading everything i could find on both the RoboBuilder and the MANOI for several days (and nights) now.
I'm completelly in love with the AT01 robot, but mostly based on it's looks.
But when it comes to features i can't decide which one is "better" (for me)...
From what i can tell it would seem that the RoboBuilder while being a lot cheaper actually offers a lot more. Not only can it be turned into several different robots, even in the humanoid configuration it seems to have a much bigger potential with the servo position & torque feedback, especially using the wide variety of programming options available...
The only thing that worries me about the RoboBuilder is the potentially limited processing power.
I have big plans for whichever robot i decide to get, but i won't know if their processors will be fast enough to make my ideas work until i try it.
Since i would like to experiment with complex balancing behavior (adjusting motion data in real time to keep the robot balanced no matter what it's doing), i would probably also want a gyro in my RoboBuilder next to the accelerometer (for example - so that instead of always trying to keep the body upright, it would automatically tilt forward while running and back when stopping).
What i'm still wondering:
- Is there an easy way to add gyros into the RoboBuilder?
- Does the controller board offer analog input ports like MANOI's RCB3 which has 3 analog inputs available?
- Since i'm looking into RoboBuilder 5710K from RobotSavvy that already has a distance sensor and accelerometer, how many (if any) analog input ports does that leave? Or are RoboBuilder's sensors connected differently?
What are your thoughts on the comparison between the two robot kits?
- Is the RoboBuilder actually "better" due to offering more possibilities. or does the MANOI have all of the important features too (most importantly programming options like C) and i just haven't found them yet?
- What are the Pros and Cons of each robot in your oppinion?
Looking forward to hearing some oppinions and answers on this...
Thank you for your time!
I'm completelly in love with the AT01 robot, but mostly based on it's looks.
But when it comes to features i can't decide which one is "better" (for me)...
From what i can tell it would seem that the RoboBuilder while being a lot cheaper actually offers a lot more. Not only can it be turned into several different robots, even in the humanoid configuration it seems to have a much bigger potential with the servo position & torque feedback, especially using the wide variety of programming options available...
The only thing that worries me about the RoboBuilder is the potentially limited processing power.
I have big plans for whichever robot i decide to get, but i won't know if their processors will be fast enough to make my ideas work until i try it.
Since i would like to experiment with complex balancing behavior (adjusting motion data in real time to keep the robot balanced no matter what it's doing), i would probably also want a gyro in my RoboBuilder next to the accelerometer (for example - so that instead of always trying to keep the body upright, it would automatically tilt forward while running and back when stopping).
What i'm still wondering:
- Is there an easy way to add gyros into the RoboBuilder?
- Does the controller board offer analog input ports like MANOI's RCB3 which has 3 analog inputs available?
- Since i'm looking into RoboBuilder 5710K from RobotSavvy that already has a distance sensor and accelerometer, how many (if any) analog input ports does that leave? Or are RoboBuilder's sensors connected differently?
What are your thoughts on the comparison between the two robot kits?
- Is the RoboBuilder actually "better" due to offering more possibilities. or does the MANOI have all of the important features too (most importantly programming options like C) and i just haven't found them yet?
- What are the Pros and Cons of each robot in your oppinion?
Looking forward to hearing some oppinions and answers on this...
Thank you for your time!
by IgorT
Fri Nov 26, 2010 12:55 pm
Never mind, i found the answer to what i knew was a bizarre question, now that i finally managed to discover all the AT01's capabilities.
The only reason i was confused was that the AT01 had such a poor description on the sale page (especially in comparison to the RoboBuilder)...
I am still planning to buy a RoboBuilder in a month or two, to make a dog or a spider with the RoBoard brain and sensors powering Pretend AI TM (and have it follow people around and annoy them)...
But for now i know for sure i won't regret buying a MANOI right away...
The only reason i was confused was that the AT01 had such a poor description on the sale page (especially in comparison to the RoboBuilder)...
I am still planning to buy a RoboBuilder in a month or two, to make a dog or a spider with the RoBoard brain and sensors powering Pretend AI TM (and have it follow people around and annoy them)...
But for now i know for sure i won't regret buying a MANOI right away...