Robotis Bioloid Beginner Robot Kit

[traynor]

Does anyone have any information regarding this entry level Robot?
Is this a good way to get started ?
Regards,
Traynor

[HarryBotter]

Hi Traynor,

I'd venture that this kit is the best way to get into this field whether as hobby or even as a research project. This is not an entry level kit, it can take you from the basics all the way up to some serious research. Check out what John Hyland is doing with it.

http://www.huv.com/blog/index.html

Not only the best, it's one of the cheapest too. There was an article in the last Robot and there will be another in the coming issue.

Harry

[blynn]

Hello - I would like to know if the Bioloid controller could run larger servos in order to make large, life-size robots. For example, life-sized humanoid or large mammal... I'm an artist and I'm looking for a way to build these larger sized robots for a project I'm doing. Can anyone suggest a way to do this? Thanks!

[HarryBotter]

The CM-5 Robotis controller for the Bioloid kit is only suitable for AX-12 servos. It uses a proprietary TTL protocol that both sends and retrieves data along a 1 wire bus. The servos would only be useful in something weighing less than 2 or maybe 3 Kg.

For larger sized projects you could look into what universities that are involved in large robots are doing.

What exactly are you looking at accomplishing?

[blynn]

Thanks, Harry - This is disappointing news, because this would have been the easy and ideal solution to my problem. I'm a sculptor and I am wanting to build a series of large mammals like cows, horses, and elephants. My plan was to make an ultra-light skeletal structure with an ultra-light skin over the top so that I could use smaller servos. Because these are pieces of art, they will be inside a protected space and will only have to lift their own weight. I think I understand what you mean by the signal only controlling the smaller servo, but couldn't some kind of potentiometer/voltage controller translate that smaller signal for use with a larger device? I have been researching work being done in universities, but I have not yet found something simple enough for an artist to use easily. Thanks for your help-

Billie

[HarryBotter]

Hi Billie,

It's not a voltage issue, the AX-12 servos actually have microprocessors in them that work hand-in-hand with the master controller to input and output data using a defined protocol.

Perhaps the AX-12 are strong enough for your project, they can handle torque loads up to about 16 Kg at 1 cm (or 1 Kg at 16 cm).

Harry

[blynn]

Hi, Harry -
Thanks so much for all the information. Unfortunately, I think the lightest I can make my beast would be about 20 pounds. The gait algorithm is what really has me stumped. I've looked into programming walking and I don't think I can do it. But I'm not giving up yet - just have to find the right stuff.

Thanks-
Billie

[HarryBotter]

What you want to do is certainly possible and may even be relatively easy but would likely be quite costly. The huge Vantec servos would do the job if you have deep pockets. Another way of dealing with it would be with larger geared motors but you'd likely need a motor controller for each one, again adding to the cost.

Harry

[Kevin Berry]

Billie -

If you would be willing to take this to email, I have a few contacts in the robotics/arts community who might be willing to help. If you are interested, email me through my forum title here.

Love seeing robotics and art combined.

[Kevin Berry]

also search out the thread titled My ANIMATRONIC PROJECT and you'll find a kindred spirit! Couldn't figure out how to do the shortcut thing or I'd have posted that.

[blynn]

Hi, Harry - Thanks - I think I saw the servos you mean - are they about $600 apiece? I have been wanting to make this project for about 10 years, and I would like to do it and put the money in to do it although my pockets are not deep. But how would I deal with the walking gaits? I want my beast to have some sort of tracking ability, so that it would follow a person in a gallery space. I've spent a lot of time looking at Mark Tilden's robo-pet. The waist of the dog is a servo which means that each leg only has to have one servo and the body actually moves so that the leg can move forward in the air. I hope you know what I mean... I'm very excited about doing this - I'm going to pursue it to the end! More later...

Billie

[HarryBotter]

Hi Billie,

How realistic would the gait have to be? Here is a paper by Tilden on a gait using just 2 motors although I'm not sure how well it would follow someone.

http://www.solarbotics.net/library/pdflib/pdf/stirling97_still_tilden.pdf

Here's a list of a number of projects that describe how others have done something along those lines.

http://www.oricomtech.com/misc/walk-lnk.htm

The beauty of servos is that everything you need is there, and it can be easily controlled by sending out a PWM signal from a microcontroller. However you can do the same thing with a geared motor, a motor controller and a pot.

Harry

[blynn]

Dear Harry,
Thanks for the info - I'm going to spend time this weekend looking at all this, and I'll probably have more questions. Thanks so much for all your support- I'll be in touch -

Billie

[blynn]

Harry -Just checked out the links - this is EXACTLY what I need! Thanks a lot!

Billie

[HarryBotter]

Please keep us posted, sounds like an interesting project.

Harry

[traynor]

Does anyone have experience with the Full Lynxmotion Biped "Pete" or "Nick".

I am doing research. It does not look like they have complete kits for these, but you would have the ability to build them with enough time and money.

So my question is that I am just starting would it be better to buy a kit, then try to build one of these, or would I be alright going for this lego style building?

Regards,
Traynor

[HarryBotter]

A couple of fellows in the Lynxmotion forum have experience with one of the larger humanoids and would probably help with any questions.

Harry

[Kevin Berry]

this page may have been posted already somewhere but its worth a look

http://www.oricomtech.com/projects/legs.htm

[kenchoco1969]

i was thinking of gettingh the beginner kit,then after that,update to the mid level kit...any ideas?

[Vap0r]

Im new here and maybe this is a bit off topic but the bioloid kit looks great, especially since you can create several different types of bots. the only issue for me was cost, I'm sure its worth it but it will take a while to save up that kind of money...

[HarryBotter]

If money is an issue, I've seen examples of people doing a lot with very little. With some imagination a humanoid can be built with little more than wood and cheap servos.