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Bioloid Build Report - continued
BATTERY:
Before we can start using our completed robot we have to charge the battery. The process is
outlined in the manual on page 197, and it is not intuitive. First, connect the battery charging
cord to the CM-5 module as shown in the picture below and plug the cord into an outlet. On most
other robots this is the only step you need to do, but for the Bioloid there is more.
Next turn on the CM-5 at the top left. The power light will come on in the upper left. You might
think that you are done, but there is still another step. You must press the "U" button on the
CM-5 to start the battery charging. You will know that the process is working because the power
light will begin to flash on and off. This lets you know that the battery is actually charging. It
seems kind of silly to do these extra steps, and we will probably forget at some point and will end
up with a dead battery that we thought was fully charged.
BATTERY:
Before we can start using our completed robot we have to charge the battery. The process is
outlined in the manual on page 197, and it is not intuitive. First, connect the battery charging
cord to the CM-5 module as shown in the picture below and plug the cord into an outlet. On most
other robots this is the only step you need to do, but for the Bioloid there is more.
Next turn on the CM-5 at the top left. The power light will come on in the upper left. You might
think that you are done, but there is still another step. You must press the "U" button on the
CM-5 to start the battery charging. You will know that the process is working because the power
light will begin to flash on and off. This lets you know that the battery is actually charging. It
seems kind of silly to do these extra steps, and we will probably forget at some point and will end
up with a dead battery that we thought was fully charged.
If the Power light isn't flashing then you aren't charging
the battery. Isn't the CM-5 unit kind of ugly?
the battery. Isn't the CM-5 unit kind of ugly?
SOFTWARE & ASSEMBLY CHECK:
The Bioloid comes with software you can use to check that your assembly of the robot is correct. First you have to install the
software from the CD called Behavior Control Program. Follow the instructions in the manual to install the software. Once
installation is complete, run the Behavior Control Program. Connect the serial cable between your PC and the CM-5 unit, and
turn your robot on. Following the instructions on page 191 of the manual, download the file on the CD called
CheckAssembly(Humanoid) from your computer to the robot.
While the file is downloading, the screen below will appear to give you the status of the test. The robot may also move to a
standing position. You might hear a high pitched whine from the servos as they take and hold a position. In our example below,
you can see that the test found all 19 dynamixels (servos) on our robot, meaning that we passed the test and wiring of the
servos during construction was correct.
If you hit the start button on the CM-5, the robot should move to a standing cross position with arms extended out to the sides.
This should allow you to check the assembly of all brackets. The position of your robot should match the pictures in the manual.
The Bioloid comes with software you can use to check that your assembly of the robot is correct. First you have to install the
software from the CD called Behavior Control Program. Follow the instructions in the manual to install the software. Once
installation is complete, run the Behavior Control Program. Connect the serial cable between your PC and the CM-5 unit, and
turn your robot on. Following the instructions on page 191 of the manual, download the file on the CD called
CheckAssembly(Humanoid) from your computer to the robot.
While the file is downloading, the screen below will appear to give you the status of the test. The robot may also move to a
standing position. You might hear a high pitched whine from the servos as they take and hold a position. In our example below,
you can see that the test found all 19 dynamixels (servos) on our robot, meaning that we passed the test and wiring of the
servos during construction was correct.
If you hit the start button on the CM-5, the robot should move to a standing cross position with arms extended out to the sides.
This should allow you to check the assembly of all brackets. The position of your robot should match the pictures in the manual.
MODULAR KIT:
The Bioloid Comprehensive Kit was designed to build many
different types of robots, from wheeled vehicles to dinosaurs,
and even a humanoid. While we certainly appreciate the
flexibility of this kit, our focus is primarily on building
humanoids, so the extra things needed in the kit to add
flexibility ended up becoming weakness in our view.
For example, the manual is 200 pages long, but the
humanoid section is only 14 pages long. While the
manufacturer of the Bioloid was smart to include instructions
on so many different kinds of robots, it ends up leaving the
part we are really interested, humanoids, to seem like an
afterthought.
On the other hand, look at how many pieces we had left after
completing the build of our 18 servo humanoid. You could
almost make another robot with all of those parts!
The Bioloid Comprehensive Kit was designed to build many
different types of robots, from wheeled vehicles to dinosaurs,
and even a humanoid. While we certainly appreciate the
flexibility of this kit, our focus is primarily on building
humanoids, so the extra things needed in the kit to add
flexibility ended up becoming weakness in our view.
For example, the manual is 200 pages long, but the
humanoid section is only 14 pages long. While the
manufacturer of the Bioloid was smart to include instructions
on so many different kinds of robots, it ends up leaving the
part we are really interested, humanoids, to seem like an
afterthought.
On the other hand, look at how many pieces we had left after
completing the build of our 18 servo humanoid. You could
almost make another robot with all of those parts!
If assembled correctly, your robot should
take on the cross stance shown above.
take on the cross stance shown above.
To make the kit capable of building other kinds of robots, we
were left with lots of extra parts after finishing our humanoid.
were left with lots of extra parts after finishing our humanoid.
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NOTE: These robots are not meant for children. All of the humanoid robot models discussed on this website use
powerful servos that can pinch or even crush your fingers if you are not careful. Consult the recommended minimum
age from the manufacturer before allowing children to use any of these robots.
powerful servos that can pinch or even crush your fingers if you are not careful. Consult the recommended minimum
age from the manufacturer before allowing children to use any of these robots.
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Our test successfully found all 19 servos
CONCLUSION:
The Bioloid is unique among robots in that it can be built into many different configurations. Despite the small set backs we had
during construction, this robot was still pretty easy to build, taking less than 7 hours.
Things We Liked:
The Bioloid kit comes with 18 servos, which allows for additional degrees of freedom at the hips. The Bioloid also comes with a
sensor unit as standard equipment, which allows your robot to interact with its environment. The servos on this robot are
daisy-chained together, allowing for fewer wires to detract from the robot's appearance.
Things We Didn't Like:
The modular capabilities of this robot forced some design elements that we didn't care for since we are only concerned with
humanoids (ie nuts and bolts, additional frame holes, brief manual). Due to the lack of space, the manual is very sparse on
instructions, and there were a few times we just had to guess what to do. We thought it was a design flaw to have the CM-5 unit
held onto the robot by nuts that are held in place with flimsy stickers. We were surprised at the lack of durability in the servo
hones causing us to strip three separate screws during construction. The Bioloid does not come with a remote control as
standard equipment. The CM-5 unit looks like a toy from the 1970's and could really use an updated look.
The simple construction and flexibility of the robot may make this a good starting point for beginners. However, our interests in
strictly Humanoid robots left us somewhat disappointed in the Bioloid. The daisy chain concept for stringing servos together
seems to have gained acceptance as the RoboBuilder and KHR-3HV have also adopted this set up. There are certainly some
strong points to the Bioloid, but some weaknesses as well.
The Bioloid is unique among robots in that it can be built into many different configurations. Despite the small set backs we had
during construction, this robot was still pretty easy to build, taking less than 7 hours.
Things We Liked:
The Bioloid kit comes with 18 servos, which allows for additional degrees of freedom at the hips. The Bioloid also comes with a
sensor unit as standard equipment, which allows your robot to interact with its environment. The servos on this robot are
daisy-chained together, allowing for fewer wires to detract from the robot's appearance.
Things We Didn't Like:
The modular capabilities of this robot forced some design elements that we didn't care for since we are only concerned with
humanoids (ie nuts and bolts, additional frame holes, brief manual). Due to the lack of space, the manual is very sparse on
instructions, and there were a few times we just had to guess what to do. We thought it was a design flaw to have the CM-5 unit
held onto the robot by nuts that are held in place with flimsy stickers. We were surprised at the lack of durability in the servo
hones causing us to strip three separate screws during construction. The Bioloid does not come with a remote control as
standard equipment. The CM-5 unit looks like a toy from the 1970's and could really use an updated look.
The simple construction and flexibility of the robot may make this a good starting point for beginners. However, our interests in
strictly Humanoid robots left us somewhat disappointed in the Bioloid. The daisy chain concept for stringing servos together
seems to have gained acceptance as the RoboBuilder and KHR-3HV have also adopted this set up. There are certainly some
strong points to the Bioloid, but some weaknesses as well.
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