moverstreet's Blog

Hitec has a new program called Simrobot, that you can download for free at its robotic website. It is a 3-d simulation software for the Robonova-1. If you our interested in the Robonova or humanoid robots go download it and try it out! It is a cool idea. It gives people a cheap way to try out a Robonova with out buying one. I have just started playing around with it. So I will post more about it later. I hope to use it as a way to test out and program moves for Boomer.

I got a idea for a series of post on things that I have learned about Humanoid Robots and Robotic competitions. I think that I have learned a lot in the last two years. I have had a lot of fun going to now two Robogames, the First Hitec Cup and the I-hobby competition. I hope to make then interesting and hopefully help out people who are interested in humanoid robots and robotic competitions.

Lem from RobotDreams toke the Video. The Korea robots made it look a lot easier them it really is. They also came up with a great way to go down the Stairs.

I found this website about using a PS3 controller to control a robot. It looks like you use the PS3 controller in Bluetooth mode. Then connect a Bluetooth receiver to a gumsitx which has a Linux OS on it. You then connect the gumstix to your robot controller board. So when you press a button on the PS3 controller a signal is sent to the gumstix, then a program on the gumstix translates the signal into a number (bytes).  Which is sent to the robot controller. That is what the Farrell’s are doing to control Oro and Zog.

Video

Stair climbing video

They did a good job of climbing up and down the stairs. I wish I could find a video of the Korea robots at Robogames climbing up and down stairs. They put everyone to shame.

I was testing and working on Boomer this weekend. There is always some thing to work on or tweak.

Chris and Rob Farrell have a cool website with videos and pictures of their two robots Oro and Zog. They have both been at Robogames 2007 and 2008. Earlier this year they also when to the 5th Korean Robot Festival. They are a great source of information on the Korean company Robotis.

Check out there website. If you look close you will see a picture of me stuffing my face full of food!

Award ceremony.

Action shoots of Boomer.

These pictures are from day two or Saturday.

The KC RoboFest was fun. If you did not go, you missed out! I was surprise with all the interest in Humanoid robots. I talked to a few people about what humanoid would be the best to buy. Which was cool because I have the only humanoid robot in the KC area. I am wondering if I could make a little extra money on the side to pay for my competition trips. I could start up a robot consulting business. I could give advice, build humanoid robots, do presentations, do demonstrations and other actives related to robotics.

This is a video I toke of the new Bioloid Humanoid Robot. It is a prototype not the production model. I looks very promising and I heard a lot of good things about it! The best part is the price should be around 1,000.00 dollars. I need to see more but this could be the robot I take to Robogames 2009!

Me and Boomer will be there. The times are June 21, 2008,  between 12:30 and  4:30 pm at Union Station.

Link to Website.