Product Description

Hitec Robotics is proud to announce ROBONOVA-I. This exciting new humanoid robot offers educators, students and robotic hobbyists a complete robot package. The 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. Available two ways, as a kit, so you can enjoy building your robot yourself, or as a pre-assembled, “RTW”, “ready to walk” instant gratification robot.

Easy to Build
Your ROBONOVA-I kit was designed for easy assembly in 6 to 8 hours using only a screwdriver.

Control Boards
Micom 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 gyro’s, acceleration sensors, speech synthesis modules and operational devices such as Bluetooth controllers and R/C transmitters and receivers. This flexible and sophisticated interface allows the user to customize ROBONOVA-I into the robot of their dreams.

Metal Framework
The custom gold anodized metal servo brackets serve as strong and lightweight exoskeleton. ROBONOVA-I also features durable plastic body case components that protect the control board and battery from damage.

Battery and Charger
Powering the ROBONOVA-I is a 5 cell, environmentally friendly NiMH rechargeable battery that delivers around 1 hour of operational time. Other battery options can include 7.4 volt 2 cell Lithium Polymer battery packs when used with a 6 volt regulator. The included D/C to D/C charger features a protection circuit to help prevent battery charging mishaps.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #90858 in Toys & Games
• Brand: HiTec Robotics
• Model: 77002
• Released on: 2006-10-20
• Dimensions: 12.50" h x 7.00" w x 3.50" l, 5.25 pounds

Features

• Advanced robot for students, hobbyists, and educators
• Gold anodized metal servo brackets serve as strong and lightweight exoskeleton
• Controlled with 16 powerful HSR-8498HB digital servos; includes IR controller
• Micom control board can operate up to 24 servos and 16 accessory modules
• Simple programming with supplied RoboScript and RoboBasic software

Amazon.com Product Description
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.

Battery and Charger
Powering the Robonova I is a 5-cell, environmentally friendly NiMH rechargeable battery that delivers around one hour of operational time. Other battery options can include 7.4 volt 2-cell Lithium Polymer battery packs when used with a 6-volt regulator. The included D/C to D/C charger features a protection circuit to help prevent battery charging mishaps.

What's in the Box
MR-3024 Micro controller board for 24 servos, 16 digital HSR-8498HB servos, re-chargeable NiMH battery and charger, RoboBasic programming software and manual, PC serial port programming interface cable, Remocon IR controller, and user's manual. Note that the "ready-to-walk" version of the Robonova I comes with all components pre-assembled.

Customer Reviews

Great Beginner Robot for Programming And Fun
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.

Wow! Robonova 1 at Amazon.com Now :)
I bought RN-1 (kit package) a year ago and it was one of the amazing "toys" any hobbyist would want to own. It's not for kids though. I spent serious dollars and no regrets :) People who bought it and later realized that they don't like it have really wasted so much money on it. But hey, it's maybe you thought that RN-I is not so smart humanoid. Actually it is, someone only needs to be creative to stretch the possibilities that RN-1 can do...He,he...alright, it can't sing, but it can dance and do smart karate moves. Really! There's a huge following of RN-1 at robosavvy.com and you better check out and see for yourselves. By the way, RN-1 can't be compared to RS Media (which I also own and like very much), simply because RN-1 can't sing and RS Media can't do karate, push-ups, and other super stunts that RN-1 alone can do.

Now that RN-1 is being sold here at Amazon, many more hobbyist would want to try one. Enjoy it :)

Wong's Not wrong here - but since there were 2 against I am siding with Wong to negate the kids' reviews
I actually know someone that has one - I don't myself though. It seems to entertain everyone with a little working knowledge of programming and robotics. Although I have to say I have not seen it go head to head with Robosapien........Bottom line is this is not a kid toy. It's more of a big kid toy :0)