Buying advice

[ptitmoos]

Hi everyone !

I’m really motivated to buy a HRK-1. But first, I would like to have some information about the components to take.
--> My laptop has no Serial Port, so I’ll need a USB to serial adapter.
--> Then, I wanted to know if it was possible to buy directly the KSR-788HV upgrade kit, and then buy separately screws, brackets, controller board, and the other parts…(in this case where could I obtain a precise list of the needed components?).
--> Also, I’d like to control the HKR from my computer, so can I buy a wireless unit (Radio Control Unit with USB interface, Bluetooth?, ) and not the Radio Control Unit KRT-2?
--> Do you advise me to take extra options (like the gyro for example).


Thank you very much for your help.

[limor]

Hi everyone !

I’m really motivated to buy a HRK-1. But first, I would like to have some information about the components to take.
--> My laptop has no Serial Port, so I’ll need a USB to serial adapter.

Hello ptitmoos and welcome to the forum!
You can use a usb/serial adapter if you don't have a serial connection on your laptop (here's the first that showed up on a google search for $13).
I would get one of these wether or not you get a wireless module because if something doesnt work it may be more difficult to debug with wireless.

--> Then, I wanted to know if it was possible to buy directly the KSR-788HV upgrade kit, and then buy separately screws, brackets, controller board, and the other parts…(in this case where could I obtain a precise list of the needed components?).

Unfortunately not at this time. Kondo's intention with the upgrade kit is to upgrade an existing KHR-1 robot into a more powerful version and not to bring out a new model. So it doesn't seem like there's a cost-effective HV option for a new buyer.

--> Also, I’d like to control the HKR from my computer, so can I buy a wireless unit (Radio Control Unit with USB interface, Bluetooth?, ) and not the Radio Control Unit KRT-2?

Yes you can buy on this site a wireless radio module from Kondo with a USB interface. There has been a previous post of soneone using a Wi-Fi module although it was a bit bulky. Also gumstix.com seems like a cool wireless enabled brain for a robot. Bluetooth should work even though i dont recall someone on this forum having tried it out yet.
It seems like the BlueSMIRF from sparkfun.com should be a good fit. I'm waiting to see a posting from someone that actually tried it out.

--> Do you advise me to take extra options (like the gyro for example).

The gyros will make the robot more stable and the extra battery and continuous power supply will allow you to get longer sessions with your new friend. Part of the fun is that you are able to add stuff to the robot.

Thank you very much for your help.

[ptitmoos]

Thank you very much for your answer,

So I'm decided to buy the HRK-1 kit and the gyro.
I found the kit around 850€ on the Kondo web site, but in a few months I'll go to Japan, so I wanted to know if someone knew a shop specialized in this kind of robots in Akihabara.

Thanks

[kaze29]

The most well known store in Akihabara would probably be 'Tsukumo Robot Heaven' - however you have to find the right one. There are like 5 different Tsukumo stores - each one specializing in one form of electronics (ie. robotics, pcs, etc).

They also sell different combination sets for the KHR-1. (w/,w/o remote, batter charger, wireless, etc)

[limor]

ptitmoos,

Would be great to see what these Tsukumo/Rakuten robot stores and workshops are like. If you can, please take pictures and post them here.

tnx

Limor