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Price vs. D.O.F.
Power vs. Speed
| Robonova-1 |
Service Length and
Community Support
Community Support
The Robonova's price is below $1,000, but you only get 16 degrees of freedom,
which is the lowest number for any of the top ten models included in our survey. On
other models at this price point you get one extra degree of freedom, which is
basically an extra servo to move the head left and right.
which is the lowest number for any of the top ten models included in our survey. On
other models at this price point you get one extra degree of freedom, which is
basically an extra servo to move the head left and right.
The Robonova's servos are among the weakest of any robot included in our survey,
and they are almost the slowest.
and they are almost the slowest.
The Robonova was introduced in late 2005, and therefore has a very good service
length. This has allowed a sizeable user community to develop. The Robonova is also
very easy to use, add features, and modify. The software and instruction manuals are
in English, and the programming language is BASIC, and very easy to use.
length. This has allowed a sizeable user community to develop. The Robonova is also
very easy to use, add features, and modify. The software and instruction manuals are
in English, and the programming language is BASIC, and very easy to use.
Despite the fact that this robot has only 16 DOF, its servos are weak and slow, the Robonova is a very popular robot. The ease of
use, large support community and English software and manuals make this robot a great robot to start with. Also, the kit comes with
an infrared controller (like your TV remote) included as standard equipment. Check out our build report here. Or you can try the
Robonova-1 for yourself by signing up for a Test Drive.
Recommendation: If you are new to humanoid robots, the Robonova is a great starter robot. It is one of the easiest to get started
with and learn. If you are a more experienced user, or if you are looking to seriously enter robot fighting contests, you probably
should look to a more powerful, faster and more expensive model.
use, large support community and English software and manuals make this robot a great robot to start with. Also, the kit comes with
an infrared controller (like your TV remote) included as standard equipment. Check out our build report here. Or you can try the
Robonova-1 for yourself by signing up for a Test Drive.
Recommendation: If you are new to humanoid robots, the Robonova is a great starter robot. It is one of the easiest to get started
with and learn. If you are a more experienced user, or if you are looking to seriously enter robot fighting contests, you probably
should look to a more powerful, faster and more expensive model.
Price vs. D.O.F.
Power vs. Speed
| Bioloid Comprehensive |
Service Length and
Community Support
Community Support
The Bioloid comes in three different kit choices (Beginner, Comprehensive and
Expert). This product review was created based on the Comprehensive Kit, which is
priced below $1,000, and offers 18 Degrees of freedom. That is the best value in its
class.
Expert). This product review was created based on the Comprehensive Kit, which is
priced below $1,000, and offers 18 Degrees of freedom. That is the best value in its
class.
The Bioloid servos are the strongest available as standard equipment on any of the
top ten robots in our survey. The downside is that they are also among the slowest.
top ten robots in our survey. The downside is that they are also among the slowest.
The Bioloid was released in Mid 2006, so it has a decent service record. The
software and documentation are available in English, and the robot has decent
support from the user community.
software and documentation are available in English, and the robot has decent
support from the user community.
The biggest selling point of the Bioloid is its multi-purpose functionality. The kit can be used to make more types of robots than just a
humanoid. The kit can make six-legged crawling bots, dinosaur bots, and many more. Think of this robot as an erector set that can
be reconfigured into just about any design you can dream up. None of the other robots in our survey have this type of functionality.
As an added bonus, the kit comes with sensor units included as standard equipment, making this robot even more useful.
Recommendation: The Bioloid is the perfect robot if you are looking to learn about more than just humanoid robotics. This kit can
be used to assemble many different variations. This would be a great kit for someone who has experience with Lego Mindstorms. It
is also extremely powerful, which could be useful in a robot fighting contest.
humanoid. The kit can make six-legged crawling bots, dinosaur bots, and many more. Think of this robot as an erector set that can
be reconfigured into just about any design you can dream up. None of the other robots in our survey have this type of functionality.
As an added bonus, the kit comes with sensor units included as standard equipment, making this robot even more useful.
Recommendation: The Bioloid is the perfect robot if you are looking to learn about more than just humanoid robotics. This kit can
be used to assemble many different variations. This would be a great kit for someone who has experience with Lego Mindstorms. It
is also extremely powerful, which could be useful in a robot fighting contest.
Price vs. D.O.F.
Power vs. Speed
| Futaba RBT-1 |
Service Length and
Community Support
Community Support
The Futaba RBT-1 (also known as the GR Bot) is one of the more expensive robots
included in our survey. However, it also has mane Degrees of Freedom, which helps
explain the high price. Furthermore, the Futaba RBT-1 comes fully assembled, which
usually adds $200 to the base price of other robot models.
included in our survey. However, it also has mane Degrees of Freedom, which helps
explain the high price. Furthermore, the Futaba RBT-1 comes fully assembled, which
usually adds $200 to the base price of other robot models.
The servos on the Futaba RBT-1 are the second weakest of any model included in our
survey. However, they are also the fastest.
survey. However, they are also the fastest.
While this robot was released in late 2006, it has only been available in the US for a short
period of time. While the software and documentation are available in English, the user
community is still very small, so getting your questions answered may prove difficult.
period of time. While the software and documentation are available in English, the user
community is still very small, so getting your questions answered may prove difficult.
This robot comes with a 3 axis G sensor, so the robot knows when it has fallen down. It also comes with a remote control that looks
just like a playstation game controller.
Recommendation: This robot comes fully assembled, so if you are looking for a robot that you can start playing with right out of the
box, this is a good choice. The weak torque of the servos make this robot a poor choice if you are planning to enter a robot fighting
contest. However, the very high speed of the servos make it an ideal choice if you are entering a soccer competition. The remote
control is included as standard equipment, which make it even easier to use.
just like a playstation game controller.
Recommendation: This robot comes fully assembled, so if you are looking for a robot that you can start playing with right out of the
box, this is a good choice. The weak torque of the servos make this robot a poor choice if you are planning to enter a robot fighting
contest. However, the very high speed of the servos make it an ideal choice if you are entering a soccer competition. The remote
control is included as standard equipment, which make it even easier to use.
Price vs. D.O.F.
Power vs. Speed
| RB-1000 |
Service Length and
Community Support
Community Support
The RB-1000 is currently not available in the US. But if you can scrape up some Euros,
you can buy this robot. The US dollar equivalent price for this robot is on the high side,
but you get 19 degrees of freedom, which accounts for most of the increased price.
you can buy this robot. The US dollar equivalent price for this robot is on the high side,
but you get 19 degrees of freedom, which accounts for most of the increased price.
The RB-1000 is in the middle of the pack for torque power, but it is tied with the
Futaba RBT-1 for the fastest servos.
Futaba RBT-1 for the fastest servos.
While the RB-1000 has been available outside the US since late 2005, it is still not available
here in the US. So even though you can find English software and documentation, you may
have a tough time finding other English speaking users for support.
here in the US. So even though you can find English software and documentation, you may
have a tough time finding other English speaking users for support.
The RB-1000 comes with a dual axis attitude sensor as standard equipment. Other than that, it is hard to get excited about this
robot since it is not available in the US.
Recommendation: Unless you are planning to travel to Europe or Japan, you will have a tough time finding this robot. Due to the
lack of English speaking support community, this robot is not recommended for beginners.
robot since it is not available in the US.
Recommendation: Unless you are planning to travel to Europe or Japan, you will have a tough time finding this robot. Due to the
lack of English speaking support community, this robot is not recommended for beginners.
Price vs. D.O.F.
Power vs. Speed
| I-Sobot |
Service Length and
Community Support
Community Support
The I-Sobot is the cheapest robot available of the top ten included in our survey at below $300.
Furthermore, the I-Sobot comes completely assembled and ready to go, out of the box. This robot
comes with 17 DOF, which is surprising at this price point. This robot is either an incredible value,
or it is closer to being a toy than a real humanoid robot. Check out our build report and review
here.
Furthermore, the I-Sobot comes completely assembled and ready to go, out of the box. This robot
comes with 17 DOF, which is surprising at this price point. This robot is either an incredible value,
or it is closer to being a toy than a real humanoid robot. Check out our build report and review
here.
The I-Sobot has the weakest and slowest servos of any robot included in our survey. Of course,
the I-Sobot is half the size of the others, so the servo performance is not really comparable.
the I-Sobot is half the size of the others, so the servo performance is not really comparable.
This robot was launched in the US in October 2007. At the moment there isn't a large support
community. The I-Sobot does come with an English instruction manual, but there is no software or
any way to connect it to your computer.
community. The I-Sobot does come with an English instruction manual, but there is no software or
any way to connect it to your computer.
The I-Sobot is creating a new niche in the humanoid robot market. All the other models in our survey are much larger, and much more
expensive. At 6.5 inches and about $300, the I-Sobot is in a class all by itself. Additionally, the I-Sobot has an infrared remote control (like your
TV remote) and has voice recognition. There is a lot of functionality in this tiny package. You can try it out for yourself by signing up for our
Test Drive.
Recommendation: The I-Sobot is best suited for those who want to be on the cutting edge, don't want the hassle of building the robot, or if you
are constrained by price. You could buy 2 or 3 I-Sobots for the same price as one of the other models included in our survey. However, if you
are a hobbyist and would enjoy building and modifying your own robot, this is not the model for you.
expensive. At 6.5 inches and about $300, the I-Sobot is in a class all by itself. Additionally, the I-Sobot has an infrared remote control (like your
TV remote) and has voice recognition. There is a lot of functionality in this tiny package. You can try it out for yourself by signing up for our
Test Drive.
Recommendation: The I-Sobot is best suited for those who want to be on the cutting edge, don't want the hassle of building the robot, or if you
are constrained by price. You could buy 2 or 3 I-Sobots for the same price as one of the other models included in our survey. However, if you
are a hobbyist and would enjoy building and modifying your own robot, this is not the model for you.
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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.
