For those who want robots for Christmas - and really, who doesn’t - here are Mr. Robotics’ picks for tasty robots from Trossen Robotics:

Bioloid . Now, if you want to make lots and lots of robots, but don’t want lots of and lots of robot kits, Bioloid is the way to go. It’s like Mindstorms on steroids. Instead of two motors, you get up to 18 servos. Humanoids, dogs, spiders - whatever you want. All with sensors and full programability. I am old and jaded and very hard to impress, but Bioloid is the best kit out there. Why settle for one robot when you can have 26?

Don’t wanna spend a lot, but want to compete anyway? Get a full sumo kit. For $200, you get not one but two sumo robots, and sumo arena. One robot for you and one for your kid. One for each kid. One for your wife and one for spiteful, hate-fill mother-in-law. One on one competition, and you might learn something.

For all you hackers, security nuts, and body-modders, try an RFID kit. Make a kitty-door that only opens for your kitty, not the snackoons. Learn to read what’s on RFID’s from the store. Make a cocktail mixer with RFID tags in the glasses…

If papa really wants a humanoid, well, there are lots to choose from - Tall ones, small ones, cheap ones, pricey ones.

If you’re looking to make your own robot, that the Stinger robot is a phenomenal platform to start with. Then add some motor controllers and a few sensors, and you’ve got your own robot!

Or go crazy with the Linux based SRV-1 and all it’s parts.

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 6th, 2007 at 2:50 am and is filed under Bill Joy Is Probably Wrong, Neat Stuff, RoboToys. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.