Robovie-X PRO, a highest class model, will be put on the market ( Dec 17, 2008 )

Vstone announced Robovie-X PRO using 16 high torque servos `VS-S281J` instead of `VS-S092J` will be put on the market. The robot is not a kit but just a constructed product. The shipment scheduled in the beginning of January, 2009 from Vstone or its web shop.

The characteristics of a new model are as follows:
1)Using high torque servo `VS-S281J` (28.5 kg/cm) which torque is 3 fold of `VS-S092J`(9.2 kg/cm) , makes up the mobility of the robot, for example the speed and stability of walking.

2)Considering the safety, the robot has a mechanism prevent finger from putting between arms and a handle for easy carrying.

3)The robot will be sold just from Vstone or its web shop with a robot-stand which keeps the robot standing. `VS-IX001`, a board for gyro sensor and position sensor is also included.

Specifications are as follows:
Length: 383(H)×180(W)×73(D)mm
Weight: 1.96kg(including battery)
Axis: 19 (head 1, arm 6, foot 12)
Servo: VS-S281 x16, VS-S0921J x3
CPU: VS-RC003HV ( including VS-IX001 board for gyro and position sensors)
Motion editor: RobovieMaker2
Battery: 6V Ni-H
OS: Windows2000/XP/Vista (in Japanese)
Interface: USB
Others: `VS-LED1`×2 for eyes

Autonomous Robot Beach Flag Competition in Ciba ( Nov. 23, 2008 )

The second `Autonomous Robot Beach Flag Competition` sponsored by KONDO CO. LED was carried out at Chiba Institute of Technology ( JR Sobu-line Tsudanuma in Chiba Prefecture ) on Nov. 23, 2008. The first competition was held in the 4th KHR Anniversary robot competition on June 7, 2008.

Robot Beach Flag game is similar to human's one. Two robots start from each opposite side and push down the pole sat in the center. The robot push down the pole at first is winner. The game was carried out in the court that of KONDO CUP Succor. The pole ( beach flag ) attached 40kHz ultra sonic wave sender was sat in the center circle.

As radio control is prohibited, all robots have to move autonomously. Just robots based KHR-1, KHR-2HV or KHR-1HV could join the competition. There were two classes, one was student class and the other was expert class. The robot joined the student class has to use KCB-1 as sensor control board and the robot joined expert class has no limitation concerning sensor control board. Eight team robots joined to the student class and 2 robots joined to the expert class.

It is necessary for winning the competition to reproduce the movement accurately. Because the winner is the robot could push down the pole at first in each game. The robot has to win each game. The Robot with best time is not always the champion.

The winner of the student class was `Yakushin Ver. Kaijin`(Nihon Kougakuin College of Hachioji), the second place was `Isokou-Walker`(Kanagawakenritsu Isoko-technological high school) and the third place was `Gram Replica`(Shibaura Institute Technology SRDC). The best time of the student class was 25.14 sec by `Isokou-Walker`. The winner of expert class was `BLACK TIGER`(IKETOMU).

The best time robot `Isokou-Walker` has 3 of ultra sonic wave sensors (USW) and 5 PSD sensors. When the robot start, the USW sensor system was used and when the robot was in the short distance from pole, the PSD sensor system was used.





The videos are as follows:

Isoko-Walker vs G, the semifinal 1st game


Isoko-Walker vs G, the semifinal 2nd game
Isoko-Walker recorded the best time 25.14 sec.


Gram Replica vs Syusaku-1, for the 3rd place 1st game


Gram Replica vs Syusaku-1, for the 3rd place 2nd game


Yakushin Ver. Kaijin vs Isoko-Walker, the final 1st game


Yakushin Ver. Kaijin vs Isoko-Walker, the final 2nd game

New Parts of Robovie-X are put on the market ( Nov 22, 2008 )

Vinstone puts 3 kinds of new parts set which could use high torque servo of Robovie-X on the market on Nov. 28th. The new parts could use high torque servo `VS-S281J` (28.5 kg・cm) instead of standard one `VS-S092J` (9.2 kg・cm). Changing the standard servo to high torque one make robot ability go up. The parts could use Robovie-X and Robovie-X Lite. It is necessary to modify the motion of robot some extent when the servo changed to high torque one.

For knee pitch axis parts for changing high torque servo `Robovie-X Hi-Power Kit A`
`Robovie-X Hi-Power Kit A` is for changing knees servos to high torque ones. Changing to high torque servo of the knee which supports the weight of robot make the walking speed and stability up. The high torque servo is also tough because of using metal gear. The kit includes 2 high torque servos.

For thigh roll axis parts for changing high torque servo `Robovie-X Hi-Power Kit B`
`Robovie-X Hi-Power Kit B` is for changing thigh servos to high torque ones. Changing to high torque servo of the thigh make the side walking speed and stability up. The kit is useful for battle and soccer. The kit includes 2 high torque servos.
*It could also add the thigh yaw axis by using 2 servo `VS-S92J` .

For knee pitch axis and thigh roll axis parts for changing high torque servo`Robovie-X Hi-Power Kit C`
Robovie-X Hi-Power Kit C is combined kit with Hi-Power Kit A and B.

Vinston put a biped robot kit `Robovie-X` on the market in Feb. 2008, and also put on a cheaper one, `Robovie-X Lite` in Apr. 2008. Then Vinston put a high torque servo `VS-S281J` which torque is 28.5 kg・cm, 3 fold of that of standard servo `VS-S092J` in July 2008.

Organization of JSRC ( Standard Regulation Class Network of Japan) was announced. JSRC is expected to increase the opportunity joining the competition for builders who are remodeling the robot kit or beginner with kit robot. Hobbyists could use 5 high torque servos in standard regulation class, Robovie –X user could easily change his robot’s servo to high torque one using these Hi-Power Kits.

New Robots and Builders in 2008 ( Nov. 17, 2008)

I would like to introduce some new remarkable robots (builder’ name or handle) in 2008 .

`PHANTOM` (BLACK) was easily passed the qualification test which was walking through slopes and also passed preliminary competition of the 14th ROBO-ONE on Oct. 15th. The 14th ROBO-ONE’s qualification test was very hard for beginners even for expert builders. BLACK is making another robot `Duminas` for his wife, BISUKO. `PHANTOM` and `Duminas` joined robot Pro-Wrestling tag match against `Cromkid` and `Galue` those controller are Kupapa and Kumama, a famous couple among robot builders at Soka on Nov. 3rd .

Aonori3 (Kimura) was the 2nd place of the robot battle competition in Housei University and the champion of the robot battle competition in Waseda University. Kimura has built the robot `Aonori 3` very recently.







Desyumitto (GR2) was the 4th place of the Robot battle competition in Waseda University which was the first competition for `Desyumitto`. Gr2 joined the RT Battle Cup Basic class in Kantougakuin Univercity which was for kit robot, with `KHR-2 Desyumitto`. `KHR-2 Desyumitto` had a remarkable circle motion without leg yaw axis.




`Daigakku` (Akitsuka) was the 3rd place of Robofight Open regulation Class. Standard Regulation Class (SRC) robot `Daigakku` defeated Yogoroza, one of the 4 strong robots called four god machine in Kansai District of Japan. `Daigakku` also defeated Automo 03 one of the strong robots in Kyushu District. Of course, the winner of SRC was `Daigakku`.

I would like to expect them to play an active part in the next year.

`MELISSA`, new robot parts sets for KRS-4000 series were put on the market (Nov 14, 2008)

CRAFT HOUSE put `MELISSA`, new robot parts set, on the market on Nov. 14, 2008. MELISSA is KRS4000 Series Standard Model, just for using the servo produced for biped robot by KONDO CO. LTD. New kits are consisted of just parts, excluded servo and control board.

Feature of MELISSA is as follows
1)MELISSA is consist of parts which on the market. Most flame parts are produced by ITO REINETSU . So the part of `MELISSA` easily get another shop except for body and leg.
2)The Leg size is 15 cm short length, and it makes robot gravity lower. Lower gravity makes robots walk stable.
3)The height is 34 cm, the same size that of KHR-2 from KONDO CO. LED. It makes the robot handle easy.
4)The kit has similar proportion of human. `MELISSA` has a body yaw axis and an arm axis, so those make the motion of robot like human.
5)Upgrading is easy by exchanging the servo to high torque servo, because the flame fits KRS4000 series servo.
6)`MERISSA` is just parts set, so robot builder can make another robot using their surplus servo and parts with the kit. The parts of `MELISSA` for example, body or legs, also get from Hobby Robot site of CRAFT HOUSE.

`MELISSA` is suitable for Standard Regulation Class (SRC) which is limited number of high torque servo as five. `MELISSA `could use 5 servos fully, because it has a body yaw axis. Robot builder also could change the joint easily which high torque servo used. If builder want to make the SRC robot to Open Regulation Class (ORC), he just changes to the high torque servo by his budget. `MELISSA` seems to be not suitable for beginners, because the kit has not sample motions like KHR series. Furthermore, it is necessary to use some high torque servo because of its heavier weight compared with that of KHR-2.