Planing to buy a bioloid comprehensice kit, and need info

[Samandiriel]

Well I wanted a bioloid for awhile now and I'm saving up my money to buy one. The only thing is that I wish to know more about the kit that would solve some questions in mind:

Is building the robot(humanoid form) very difficult? I mean can someone who has no prior experience with it can sucessfully contruct on using the manual included?Can someone with average computer skills program or understand ithe basics of it (i.e programing motions and such.)

What kind of energy does it take? (AC,batteries,etc...) and how long do they last aproximately per run?

And will it need extra equipment to build the kit(sodering tool, hardware tools,etc)? or is most of the stuff I need included?

I think I may have more, but this is the most important info I want to know first.

[RobotServicesGroup]

The humanoid form is one of the most complicated robots to build. The good thing about Bioloid is that you can build lots of other types of robots as well. Probably the best advice is to start building a small robot so you can learn how the pieces fit together, how the wiring works, and how to work the software.

One problem with the Bioloid is that the Humanoid is not the primary focus, just one of the many possible forms. Check out our build report here: http://www.robotservicesgroup.com/BuildPage15.html

The battery is Nickel Metal Hydride, 9.6V 2300mAh, and runs for less than an hour. The only tool you will need is a Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) screwdriver. Using a regular screwdriver could strip the screws.

[siempre.aprendiendo]

The right way to learn to construct Bioloid robots is following the construction manual, a book included in the comprehensive Bioloid kit but that you can download too

Code: Select all

http://robosavvy.com/site/docs/Bioloid/QuickStart(Comprehensive%20Kit).pdf


There are 26 constructions, from the easiest with only one servo (a few minutes) to the humanoid (about 6-8 hours).

Well, I was a bit impatient and only built 4 or 5 easy and simple robots before the hexapod (just before the humanoid) and after it the humanoid.

My only previous experience was 2 years with Lego Mindstorms and I think it's not difficult, it's somewhat error prone. But if you do it carefully, double checking your lasts steps and following precisely the manual you will get the humanoid working in about 6-8 hours.

You can program it with the Robotis programming software, it's the easiest way and the new version is best than the previous one. But there are more possibilities, more or less difficult dependending on your programming knowledge: since embbeded C in the Robotis controller to any language using serial cable, usb2dynamixel connector or wireless communications.

You only will need an screwdriver

The battery last about 15 minutes with all the 18 servos working. I think this is the main drawback.

You can download the full CD of the comprehensive kit here and the new and best programming software here

[Samandiriel]

Thank you for the info the building review one was especially helpful. I wish there was a premium version one so I can compare. But the last post reminds me of another thing I'm having trouble understanding:

The comprehensive kit requires a japanease screwdriver, but does its new counterpart (the premium version) require the same specialize tool or can it be attempted with a US type of screwdriver without the danger of stripping the screws and damaging it?


Right now I'm kind of leaning more to the premium one since it does seem to have more features to improve movment and the fact it INCLUDES a gamestyle controller while the comprehensive kit(as I understand it) does not have a controller with it. So aside from the upgrades, in terms of building its humanoid form, is it more or less difficult to build than the comprehensive version?

[sap1975]

Just a quick comment on the japanease screwdriver thing.

Now i dont have any of the kits just a bunch of AX-12's and RX-64's but it seems to me that we are just talking Metric versus Imperial.

Please someone correct me if im wrong but basically Japan uses the Metric system. Hence the special screwdriver isn't all that special since the majority of the world uses metric.

Just my 2 Cent.

Kindest Regards
/Stig.

[JonHylands]

I've put together at least a dozen Bioloid robots, and I've never had a Japanese screwdriver. All of them were put together using one of the jeweler's screwdrivers out of the big set you used to be able to get at Radio Shack.

I'm sure the proper screwdriver works better, but it is quite doable without it.

- Jon

[Samandiriel]

Thanks for the reasurrance, I think I'll save a bit more to opt for the premium version. I trust if I need help, I'll just ask here. Thank you.