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Price vs. D.O.F.
Power vs. Speed
| Plen |
Service Length and
Community Support
Community Support
At $2,500 the Plen is the second most expensive robot in our survey, but you only
get 18 Degrees of Freedom. There are cheaper robots with more D.O.F., so why is
the price so high? Plen is a compact robot, being billed as a "desktop" robot. But
the I-Sobot is even smaller, and costs substantially less. The price seems out of line.
get 18 Degrees of Freedom. There are cheaper robots with more D.O.F., so why is
the price so high? Plen is a compact robot, being billed as a "desktop" robot. But
the I-Sobot is even smaller, and costs substantially less. The price seems out of line.
Data on the power and speed of the servos is not available at this time. However,
due to the compact size of the Plen, we don't expect much.
due to the compact size of the Plen, we don't expect much.
The Plen has been available since 2006, but only released in the US in mid 2007.
There is no user community to speak of around this robot, so if you ever want to ask a
question, you are on your own. Furthermore, the software and manuals are NOT
available in English.
There is no user community to speak of around this robot, so if you ever want to ask a
question, you are on your own. Furthermore, the software and manuals are NOT
available in English.
The novelty of this robot completely centers around its ability to rollerskate and skateboard. There are several videos around
demonstrating the Plen's ability to skate forward and backward with ease. However, very little else is known about this robot. The
only special feature of this robot is Bluetooth is included as standard equipment.
Recommendation: If you absolutely must have a skateboarding robot, and you know how to read Japanese, then go ahead and
pay $2,500 for the Plen. But if you are a beginner, or on a budget, then consider one of the other robots in our survey. The
cuteness of the Plen seems to wear off quickly, and we believe this robot is overpriced.
demonstrating the Plen's ability to skate forward and backward with ease. However, very little else is known about this robot. The
only special feature of this robot is Bluetooth is included as standard equipment.
Recommendation: If you absolutely must have a skateboarding robot, and you know how to read Japanese, then go ahead and
pay $2,500 for the Plen. But if you are a beginner, or on a budget, then consider one of the other robots in our survey. The
cuteness of the Plen seems to wear off quickly, and we believe this robot is overpriced.
Price vs. D.O.F.
Power vs. Speed
| RoboPhilo |
Service Length and
Community Support
Community Support
The RoboPhilo is the second cheapest robot in our survey, but you get a whopping
20 Degrees of Freedom. In addition to head movements and hip rotation, the torso
twists as well. This level of motion is unprecedented for such an inexpensive robot.
20 Degrees of Freedom. In addition to head movements and hip rotation, the torso
twists as well. This level of motion is unprecedented for such an inexpensive robot.
The only way to keep the price down was to sacrifice servo performance. The
RoboPhilo has the second weakest, and fourth slowest servos in our survey.
RoboPhilo has the second weakest, and fourth slowest servos in our survey.
The RoboPhilo was released in late 2007, so a user community is just starting to
form. There have been a few bumps in the road with the launch, which is not
surprising.
form. There have been a few bumps in the road with the launch, which is not
surprising.
The main draw of the RoboPhilo is the low price. This robot serves as an excellent entry point into the world of robotics for anyone
on a budget. The I-Sobot may be cheaper, but the RoboPhilo allows the user more options to create new motions and add sensors
or cameras. Be warned though, RoboPhilo does not have the power or speed to fight in a RoboOne style battle with other robots
Recommendation: This robot is perfect for beginners, or anyone on a tight budget. If you are not sure if robotics is for you, and
you want to try it out with limited investment, RoboPhilo could be the right choice. You could buy two RoboPhilos for the same price
as another robot in our survey. But remember, you get what you pay for, the servos will be slower and less powerful than other
robots.
on a budget. The I-Sobot may be cheaper, but the RoboPhilo allows the user more options to create new motions and add sensors
or cameras. Be warned though, RoboPhilo does not have the power or speed to fight in a RoboOne style battle with other robots
Recommendation: This robot is perfect for beginners, or anyone on a tight budget. If you are not sure if robotics is for you, and
you want to try it out with limited investment, RoboPhilo could be the right choice. You could buy two RoboPhilos for the same price
as another robot in our survey. But remember, you get what you pay for, the servos will be slower and less powerful than other
robots.
Price vs. D.O.F.
Power vs. Speed
| SPC-101C |
Service Length and
Community Support
Community Support
The Speecys SPC-101C is the most expensive robot included in our survey. It also has
the most Degrees of Freedom at 22. In addition to extra servos, the high price also gives
you wireless control over the internet, a color video camera, and LED displays in the
chest and arms included as standard equipment.
the most Degrees of Freedom at 22. In addition to extra servos, the high price also gives
you wireless control over the internet, a color video camera, and LED displays in the
chest and arms included as standard equipment.
The Speecys appears to use the same servos as the Futaba RBT-1, which means they
are the second weakest of any model included in our survey. However, they are also the
fastest.
are the second weakest of any model included in our survey. However, they are also the
fastest.
This robot is not currently available in the US. Also, the software and instruction manuals
are only available in Japanese. Things may change in the future, so stay tuned for the
US launch of this robot.
are only available in Japanese. Things may change in the future, so stay tuned for the
US launch of this robot.
The incredible number of servos on this robot give it more freedom to move than any other robot. The head pans and tilts, even the
torso can lean forward or backward. This provides great flexibility for the included video camera. We can only hope that some day
in the future, all robots will come with cameras as standard equipment. The drawbacks to this robot are the big price tag and the
Japanese manuals and software.
Recommendation: This robot demonstrates the qualities of tomorrow's robots today. The ability to control the robot wirelessly over
the internet allows for immense flexibility. This is a top notch robot, and the price reflects it. Buy this robot only if you are really
going to get your money's worth from all that it has to offer.
torso can lean forward or backward. This provides great flexibility for the included video camera. We can only hope that some day
in the future, all robots will come with cameras as standard equipment. The drawbacks to this robot are the big price tag and the
Japanese manuals and software.
Recommendation: This robot demonstrates the qualities of tomorrow's robots today. The ability to control the robot wirelessly over
the internet allows for immense flexibility. This is a top notch robot, and the price reflects it. Buy this robot only if you are really
going to get your money's worth from all that it has to offer.
Price vs. D.O.F.
Power vs. Speed
| Robovie-X or KT-X |
Service Length and
Community Support
Community Support
The KT-X comes with your choice of 13, 17, or 20 Degrees of Freedom Our review is
based on the 17 D.O.F. model. The price seems a bit high for the number of servos
you get, but this robot comes with a game-style controller as standard equipment, plus
a speaker and acceleration sensor.
based on the 17 D.O.F. model. The price seems a bit high for the number of servos
you get, but this robot comes with a game-style controller as standard equipment, plus
a speaker and acceleration sensor.
The servos on the KT-X deliver average power performance, but they are one of the
fastest.
fastest.
The KT-X just launched at the beginning of 2008, so a user support group has not even
begun to form yet. If you have a question or problem with this robot, you could be on your
own.
begun to form yet. If you have a question or problem with this robot, you could be on your
own.
The only real benefit of this robot is it comes fully assembled, and has a game-style controller as standard equipment. It doesn't
deliver anything new or startling to the market. Given it's price point, this robot is another competitor in an increasingly crowded
market.
Recommendation: It is hard to find a reason to be excited about this robot. It would be a better value if it was priced $200
cheaper. Beginners may want to let the user community build around this robot before buying this one.
deliver anything new or startling to the market. Given it's price point, this robot is another competitor in an increasingly crowded
market.
Recommendation: It is hard to find a reason to be excited about this robot. It would be a better value if it was priced $200
cheaper. Beginners may want to let the user community build around this robot before buying this one.
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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.
