Looking for expandable starter kit recommendations

[Log1c]

So I'm trying to find a good starter kit for hobbyist robotics. But I'm looking for something that will traverse a pretty good range from basic to advanced as I'd like to start out with a simple kit that I might control via remote or something similar and that will support potentially automation or at least some hacked method to add automation.

Also though, I'd fascinated by walking robots compared to the wheeled type, but I understand that those dynamics can be difficult to account for and can dramatically increase the learning curve. So I'd prefer a walking kit to a wheeled kit.

That being said though, I'm an Electrical Engineering grad student so I'm not new to the topics of programming or hardware modification so I'm not worried about things being to advanced either. But also that limits my budget a bit.

In general I was looking at two systems the Lego NXT and Lynxmotion BRAT. Or if you have any other suggestions feel free to voice em. Thanks in advance!

[tswift]

:) So I'm trying to find a good starter kit for hobbyist robotics. But I'm looking for something that will traverse a pretty good range from basic to advanced as I'd like to start out with a simple kit that I might control via remote or something similar and that will support potentially automation or at least some hacked method to add automation.

Also though, I'd fascinated by walking robots compared to the wheeled type, but I understand that those dynamics can be difficult to account for and can dramatically increase the learning curve. So I'd prefer a walking kit to a wheeled kit.

That being said though, I'm an Electrical Engineering grad student so I'm not new to the topics of programming or hardware modification so I'm not worried about things being to advanced either. But also that limits my budget a bit.

In general I was looking at two systems the Lego NXT and Lynxmotion BRAT. Or if you have any other suggestions feel free to voice em. Thanks in advance!


You may also want to look into the Vex and Vexplorer construction kits. These provide many levels of construction from using basic RC to programming autonomously and soon to be expanded to WiFi remote control.

[siempre.aprendiendo]

Do you know Bioloid (http://robosavvy.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=82&Itemid=81)?

I think it is very interesting as a platform to learn about walking robots (2,4,6,8 legs). But it's a complex subject...

[tswift]

Do you know Bioloid (http://robosavvy.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=82&Itemid=81)?

I think it is very interesting as a platform to learn about walking robots (2,4,6,8 legs). But it's a complex subject...

Looks neat! I will have to look into it.:)

[Log1c]

Do you know Bioloid (http://robosavvy.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=82&Itemid=81)?

I think it is very interesting as a platform to learn about walking robots (2,4,6,8 legs). But it's a complex subject...

I didn't know the system was that advanced (or had that much potential). It sounds much more impressive after reading that, and also that much more desirable... The only problem is cost. I can justify the $250/$300 of the NXT or BRAT kits much easier than I can the $900 bioloid kit.

[siempre.aprendiendo]

Well. it depends on what you want/need to do. If you want/need wheels and mechanical constructions NXT is best and cheaper (I have both RCX and NXT :).

But if you want/need, for example, hexapod (3 dof/leg) or biped with dynamic balancing, Bioloid is very interesting and cheaper than other "solutions".