Final questions about RN-1
Final questions about RN-1
by Gil
Mon Apr 10, 2006 10:52 am
You may have noticed a new member around this forum. Hello my name is Gil and I'm a robotics junkie 
Now seriously I've been studying the options for a biped robot for quite some time. First I looked at KHR1 but it never seemed to be much more than a first stage lab experiment. Everything has to start somewhere but it was not something I could spend 1000€ on.
I was a bit discouraged that no other robots were appearing in the "decent" pricerange but recently came RN-1. Not only is it functional and more able than KHR but it also looks like... well... a robot.
For the last few months I've been reading everything I can about it (even printed the manual but it ate my toner halfway so now it has this nice pink color
). Still I have a few questions that I'd like answered before I make this huge investment (I'm a student so selling my car is the option I'm considering )
1. I'm very interested in AI more than the hardware enhancements but there is no way the atmel micro inside or the roboBASIC language can handle what I plan on implementing. So my plan is to have it hooked up to my laptop where the brain program will run and control the body by transmiting commands to the servos (first with a cable then later with a RF link). The thing is I'm unsure if this is possible.
2. Several sources state the battery at either 30 min or 60 min (and one I found said 10 minutes). Which one is it?
3. What kind of lifetime should I expect from the servos in RN-1?
4. How is warranty handled? Directly by Hitec or the store I buy it from? The thing is that I'm from Romania so I plan on importing or crossing the border with it from one of the countries that sell it.
Now seriously I've been studying the options for a biped robot for quite some time. First I looked at KHR1 but it never seemed to be much more than a first stage lab experiment. Everything has to start somewhere but it was not something I could spend 1000€ on.
I was a bit discouraged that no other robots were appearing in the "decent" pricerange but recently came RN-1. Not only is it functional and more able than KHR but it also looks like... well... a robot.
For the last few months I've been reading everything I can about it (even printed the manual but it ate my toner halfway so now it has this nice pink color
). Still I have a few questions that I'd like answered before I make this huge investment (I'm a student so selling my car is the option I'm considering )
1. I'm very interested in AI more than the hardware enhancements but there is no way the atmel micro inside or the roboBASIC language can handle what I plan on implementing. So my plan is to have it hooked up to my laptop where the brain program will run and control the body by transmiting commands to the servos (first with a cable then later with a RF link). The thing is I'm unsure if this is possible.
2. Several sources state the battery at either 30 min or 60 min (and one I found said 10 minutes). Which one is it?
3. What kind of lifetime should I expect from the servos in RN-1?
4. How is warranty handled? Directly by Hitec or the store I buy it from? The thing is that I'm from Romania so I plan on importing or crossing the border with it from one of the countries that sell it.
by gsferrari
Mon Apr 10, 2006 11:57 am
Gil - I dont want to discourage you from buying a robot but if it means that you have to sell your car in order to do so - take a step back and look at the bigger picture.
A car gives you mobility, independance and the means to socialize with friends. A robot doesnt provide any of these vital "features". A car will take you to safety or help in the case of emergencies - a Robonova is a nice little robot but robotics as such is nowhere close to providing you a robot that can handle all that.
As a student I would BEGIN my adventure in robotics like most people do...with a Lego Mindstorm or the newer NXT kit. The older one can be had for very cheap now and it is a cool platform to start with.
Wait until you have a job and a steady income before plunging into expensive robots. Until then - you can live through the experience vicariously by keeping up with this board.
Please consider this as advice from someone who has been there...done that...and suffered the consequences.
Cheers!
A car gives you mobility, independance and the means to socialize with friends. A robot doesnt provide any of these vital "features". A car will take you to safety or help in the case of emergencies - a Robonova is a nice little robot but robotics as such is nowhere close to providing you a robot that can handle all that.
As a student I would BEGIN my adventure in robotics like most people do...with a Lego Mindstorm or the newer NXT kit. The older one can be had for very cheap now and it is a cool platform to start with.
Wait until you have a job and a steady income before plunging into expensive robots. Until then - you can live through the experience vicariously by keeping up with this board.
Please consider this as advice from someone who has been there...done that...and suffered the consequences.
Cheers!
Robonova terrorizes the office...coming up!!
by Gil
Mon Apr 10, 2006 12:07 pm
It's my old car. I have a new... er... newerish one now. And I'm a student as in university student - AI major.
You must understand I didn't wake up one day and decided to buy a RN-1. I've built my own robots until now but the only next step I can make is to make a financial effort and buy a RN-1 because building my own robotic platform for more advanced tasks would actually be more expensive.
You must understand I didn't wake up one day and decided to buy a RN-1. I've built my own robots until now but the only next step I can make is to make a financial effort and buy a RN-1 because building my own robotic platform for more advanced tasks would actually be more expensive.
by Morbeious
Mon Apr 10, 2006 12:17 pm
1st off I would agree with Gsferrari, selling your car wont be enough to keep you going in this hobbie, and RN-1 servo's arent strong enough to carry you back and forth from home to school. (lol)
To answer your other questions..
1. I'm pretty sure if you can handle a Visual Lanaguage you should be able to set up a exteranl interface with the RN-1 that can send codes base on a AI input. bauermech one of the other members here has demostrated those capablities here with his Puppet interface. I'm thinking about doing the same, since ROboBasic is much like Commodore/Apple basic from the early 80's lol. most of the AI would have to use your laptop as a brian, though.
2. I've gotten 30 mins, but it maybe 60 min's I havent played consitantly for 60 mins with it before. Its always a few commands, then i go back to working with robobasic, then back to robot.
3. Not sure on this my servo's seem to be running well after 30 days.
4. I've had to use the warrenty twice, mines came with a bad servo's, the hobby store sent one back, and I sent one back myself, both came back to me, from Hitec, even when i had quesitons and thought it was the 3024 I sent my complete RN-1 back to Hitec, and they checked it out, and sent it back, within 24hrs, it spent more time in shipping (i.e. 5 days ground) then it did in the Hitec lab.
To answer your other questions..
1. I'm pretty sure if you can handle a Visual Lanaguage you should be able to set up a exteranl interface with the RN-1 that can send codes base on a AI input. bauermech one of the other members here has demostrated those capablities here with his Puppet interface. I'm thinking about doing the same, since ROboBasic is much like Commodore/Apple basic from the early 80's lol. most of the AI would have to use your laptop as a brian, though.
2. I've gotten 30 mins, but it maybe 60 min's I havent played consitantly for 60 mins with it before. Its always a few commands, then i go back to working with robobasic, then back to robot.
3. Not sure on this my servo's seem to be running well after 30 days.
4. I've had to use the warrenty twice, mines came with a bad servo's, the hobby store sent one back, and I sent one back myself, both came back to me, from Hitec, even when i had quesitons and thought it was the 3024 I sent my complete RN-1 back to Hitec, and they checked it out, and sent it back, within 24hrs, it spent more time in shipping (i.e. 5 days ground) then it did in the Hitec lab.
Robots Own/Operated: HeathKit Jr, OmniBot 2000, Lego MindStorms, RSV2, RoboNova-1
by Guest
Mon Apr 10, 2006 12:56 pm
Self Aware, I am sure you are very much aware of what you are doing "for the last few months". By all means, buy that bot or suffer the consequences. You know what I mean. 
The best things in life are those moments that you want to grab but you can't just yet. But once you do, it's a complete freedom you will never wish to trade with anything else.
Hymnn. Am I giving you a good advice? I wish you all the best in your endeavor and may your dream robot came true.
p.s.
I acknowledge the good fellows advice above. Bless your hearts.
The best things in life are those moments that you want to grab but you can't just yet. But once you do, it's a complete freedom you will never wish to trade with anything else.
Hymnn. Am I giving you a good advice? I wish you all the best in your endeavor and may your dream robot came true.
p.s.
I acknowledge the good fellows advice above. Bless your hearts.
by Lomruz
Mon Apr 10, 2006 2:50 pm
Gil, many of us did the right choice of owning RN-1. Since you eagerly want one and being an AI major in the university, I don't see any reason why you have to delay it. The best time is now! Of course, that is assuming that you will still have the new-er car to drive you home. Or maybe, you can complement your financial effort by a summer job?
When I bought my RN-1, I saw those other fantastic robots (actually modified RN-1) on display that cost twice as much and some others, would you believe costing ten times as much (fighter bots), I thought I was so lucky enough to own one RN-1.
Yes you too can own it. And to top it all, we have a bunch of good people right here on this forum to learn with. Who knows we may all learn from you, hah.
When I bought my RN-1, I saw those other fantastic robots (actually modified RN-1) on display that cost twice as much and some others, would you believe costing ten times as much (fighter bots), I thought I was so lucky enough to own one RN-1.
Yes you too can own it. And to top it all, we have a bunch of good people right here on this forum to learn with. Who knows we may all learn from you, hah.
by gsferrari
Mon Apr 10, 2006 3:25 pm
DO IT....DO IT...
I didnt know you had another car...now it is a no-brainer. If you live in a dorm I would still be pretty worried about potential theft...
I strongly believe it is the best commercially available sub $1000 platform
The expansion possibilities are fantastic
The only downer is Robobasic...I would SOOO prefer RoboC++ or something with OOP
When you order the RN-1 - also order the gyro and tilt sensor. Sign up for the gripper with Matt Bauer.
Join in the fun...the more the merrier
I didnt know you had another car...now it is a no-brainer. If you live in a dorm I would still be pretty worried about potential theft...
I strongly believe it is the best commercially available sub $1000 platform
The expansion possibilities are fantastic
The only downer is Robobasic...I would SOOO prefer RoboC++ or something with OOP
When you order the RN-1 - also order the gyro and tilt sensor. Sign up for the gripper with Matt Bauer.
Join in the fun...the more the merrier
Robonova terrorizes the office...coming up!!