The Robonova I offers educators, students and robotic hobbyists a complete robot package. The advanced and stable Robonova I can walk, run, do flips, cartwheels, dance moves and once programmed, is ready to compete in any Robo One Class “J” competition. This “ready-to-walk” version of the Robonova I is pre-built and offers instant gratification out of the box. On the other hand, if you prefer to construct your own Robonova I, check out the Robonova I Kit, which allows you to enjoy building your new friend from the ground up.

Built Tough
The custom gold anodized metal servo brackets serve as a strong and lightweight exoskeleton. Robonova I also features durable plastic body case components that protect the control board and battery from damage.

Servo Motors
This fully articulating, 12-inch high, mechanical humanoid is controlled with 16 powerful HSR-8498HB digital servos built specifically for the Robonova I by Hitec. These custom servos feature “set pin” locking of the servo arms for easy assembly, over-voltage current protection, super strong Karbonite gear trains, and “feedback” technology for simple programming.

Micom Control Board with Flexible Interface
The control board is the heart of the Robonova I. Secured to the back of the robot under a strong plastic case, the control board can operate up to 24 servos and 16 accessory modules. Optional devices will eventually include gyros, acceleration sensors, speech synthesis modules and operational devices such as Bluetooth controllers and R/C transmitters and receivers. This flexible and sophisticated interface allows you to customize Robonova I into the robot of your dreams.

Easy Programming and Flexible Applications
Programming is simple with the supplied RoboScript and RoboBasic software, which upload programming to the robot via the included PC interface cable. Beginners to robot programming technology will find it a snap to use the supplied RoboScript programming software. Without knowing any programming language at all users can create operational subroutines with the click of a mouse. Meanwhile, you can use the RoboRemocon software to control your Robonova I with the operational data created with RoboScript.

RoboBasic, a programming tool based on the Basic programming language, is provided for more advanced users. Containing specific commands for simple robot operation, RoboBasic can also be used in conjunction with RoboScript to increase the performance of the supplied Micom controller board.

The simplest way to program the Robonova I is with the “catch and play” function. Using RoboScript or RoboBasic, just move the robot into any position and click the mouse to “capture” that position. Move the robot into another position and repeat the process. The software then links these captured positions and once activated, smoothly transitions the robot’s movements through these programmed positions.

Functional Extensions
The Robonova I can be retrofitted with several accessory modules and ancillary items to customize its functionality. By adding additional servos and brackets, the head and waist can turn and “gripping” hands can be used. Gyros, acceleration sensors, speech functions, R/C control accessories and more can also be added as they become available.
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Consumer review

Great Beginner Robot for Programming And Fun, April 9, 2007

For those who have a talent for assembly and who want to learn robot programming and motion dynamics, this is an excellent kit. The robot has a simple interface and uses Basic as the programming language. It also has a pose mode where the program can be written by posing the robot and then taking a snap shot to automatically “write” the code. It teaches basic programming, servo theory, and human motion dynamics (walking, running, dancing, flipping, balance, etc). I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because it has no sensor accessories for feed back available at this time. It will challenge a preteen (my twelve year old assembled and programmed it and its running and back flipping around the house). For those mechanically challenged purchase the preassembled version – the unassembled version has many parts.
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The Daisy is a multipurpose audio player which uses MMC or SD flash memory cards and has several interface modes for either human or machine control. It is based on Microchip PIC18F45j10, a new family of PIC microcontrollers and VS1011 (from VLSI) which is .mp3 and .wav decoder and headphone amplifier.
The Daisy is an open source project under Creative Commons license. You can find all source files, hex files, EAGLE cad files and documents on this site.