Hi guys!
I got bored with my Boe-Bot, so I would like to try something new. My goal is, to make/have a 3DOF hexapod within a year. I’m still a beginner, so I’m wondering if MH2 kit is good for me (not too difficult). However, the electronics are the same on all hexapods…would it be better to buy a 3DOF hexapod right away?
BTW, I’m a very good builder!
roksraka
where is the poll option for pudding… or a comparable “I don’t agree with any of your choices” checkbox?
i don’t like pudding! If you can’t decide for any of my choices, just post a reply about what you think…
what I think is there is no “best” solution and each option in creating a system (a robot being system comprised of several modules) needs to be evaluated on a case by case level. the control requirements for biped vs quad vs hex vs something with wheels or tracks are all very different and the sensors that lend themselves to those applications also vary. couple this with the individualized levels of sophistication, aptitude, even finances of each developer and there is no way a “best” solution exists as a generalization. it’s like the same “best” servo argument that re-appears every so often (and has even diverged into flame wars on occasion, heh).
But I bet you knew at least someone was going to think along those lines when you posted the poll. 
Actually Eddie, according to the poll the Atom Pro is the best microcontroller for robots, with Pudding running a close second. lol
Just fooling around.
personally I’d like to see a DIP28 packaged device like the BAP with an ARM7 @ 60MHz running a small BASIC with BasicMicros I/O flexibility but RTOS like the TIGER-BASIC modules and at 1/2 their price. 
oh and atm there are 6 votes for BAP and I can think off-hand of 4 lynxmotion employees + Nathan to count for 5 of them. Heh. 
Atom, but thats my opinion hay! lets not fight about it.
i must admit i havent had the chance to test all of the above but this could maybe be because i havent found limitation with the atom. . yet.
I’m starting a rumor that Basic Micro is tinkering with an ARM processor with the SSC-32 footprint that can run win ce or linux. 8)
Nah, I voted for pudding. Mainly because I’ve had more pudding than BASIC Atoms 
Honestly though, I’ve never used any other one than the Atom/Atom Pro. (ok, there was this one time… with a Basic Stamp… but I swear it didn’t mean anything to me!)
I’d eventually like to use some other ones, if only to say that I had.
oh the truth comes out now. Um! 
Ahhh… That sounds great! Imagine the possibilities with windows CE or a small custom Linux kernel!
I’m in! 8)
Xan
thank you for all the posts, BUT please answer my question about hexapods and ignore the poll!
roksraka
I’m actually more inclined to think it’s more like excess baggage, but then again I have never really enjoyed the never ending stream of tweakit that any form of Linux always seems to wind up being for me.
roksraka, what question about hexapods?
mh2 is only 2dof and the servos are on the small side for most of the 3dof kits. the ses brackets will transfer to any other kit of course but I would see if you can upgrade the 422s to 645s (the 475s will be fine later) if you want to minimize the amount of not useful parts when you upgrade.
Yes, if you want your hexapod to perform smooth with kinematic control, you need 3 DOF.
A Gumstix can.
There are other non-OS embedded systems like the Paralax Propeller or Atmel AVR. I was told the last one works very efficient but am not sure how much processor power they have.
I have used the Basic Atom Pro, the Basic Stamp II, and the Basic Stamp2px and I love them all for different reasons. The Atom Pro is the best overall bot MCU and is my favorite (my opinion). If you want to do a quality hex then I prescribe the following prescription: The Basic Atom Pro with the BB2 and SSC-32 servo controller and your choice of hex kit. Do the following and I want to see you in a week.
That will be $35 please…
I want my robot to be strong and like building software, and because of that want to keep my options wide open by choosing hardware with rapid-prototyping in mind.
So i probably choose some lightweight eeePC/netbook.
Other options are ARM devices running linux (dev boards, a WRT router, HTC cellphone)
But thats not what you need, i guess.
