i have been looking at the johnny 5 but have also see the new robonova 1 and am amazed at how many things this bot can do. so does anying one know which one would be better for a middle class builder such as myself?
is the robonova a freemoving bot or controlled be the user?
is it good on carpet?
any info would help thanks
I have not worked with either the Robonova 1 nor the Johnny5 robot, but if you’re going to be moving it around on carpet, I would expect that the Johnny5 would be the more stable solution. As a biped, the Robonova 1 will need to balance on one foot to take a step, using a single footpad to balance. Given a carpet’s “squishiness”, this might cause problems, trying to apply correcting forces to the ground through a springy medium, which does not always respond in a predictable way. (a stack of books balanced on top of a narrow bottle might be stable on top of a desk, but on carpet, it can be considerably less stable - it would further complicate matters if the stack of books were moving, as a robot would be during a step.)
With a treaded base, the Johnny5 robot will be fairly stable at all times, with a wide footprint that does not leave the ground as it moves around. The broad area of the treads might make turning a bit more difficult on carpet, since it will use skid-type steering, but I imagine that the motors will be up to the task.
Also of note is the fact that, though it may not have the same “cool factor”, moving around on treads is a lot easier than walking bipedally. Where walking requires coordination of many axes, while maintaining balance of an inverted pendulum, rolling around on treads only really requires speed control of two motors.
Again, I haven’t had the opportunity to work with either of these two robots - these are just a few observations and assumptions.
I am hoping my BiPod design can handle some of these issues other bipeds might experience on carpet and similar surfaces. The BiPod has much wider feet than most bipeds, which should help a lot when walking as a regular biped. I am still amazed at the range of motion and positions The BiPod will be able to execute, and I designed it. 
I originally designed it just to see if a hexapod style leg could work in a biped robot, and I believe it can and will. I will have the rest of the brackets for The BiPod later this week.
8-Dale
so the bipod is what kin of robot?
is the robonova 1 good for its money?
The BiPod is a custom biped I have designed and am in the process of building. I will have the rest of the SES brackets for it later this week.
I don’t know anything about the Robonova, sorry.
8-Dale
I’ve been researching Robo-One style bipeds lately, so I know a bit about the options that are out there. Here is a quick little summary of them and a brief opinion:
Hitec Robonova-1: A lot of people have this, so there is a lot of information, code, mods, etc. However, the servos are underpowered compared to the competition, but there are new more powerful servos to upgrade it. People seem to like the software and the RoboBasic language. The gold anodized brackets are nice. Lynxmotion sells it, which is a bonus. Also, there is a ReadyToWalk version, which is perfect for beginners.
Kondo KHR-2HV/KHR-1HV: Similar price to the RoboNova (about $1000), but more powerful, and the user base seems to be accelerating. The plastic brackets look cheap. The Heart2Heart sequencing software pretty much sucks compared to the others, but it’s usable.
Kyosho Manoi AT01: Based on the KHR-1HV electronics, but with stronger molded composite brackets and a paintable polycarbonate shell. A sign of things to come. It also uses Heart2Heart. This one is not yet available in the US except to educators, but you can buy it from Japan for about $1600 shipped. This is the most expensive option, but it may be the kewlest.
Robotis Bioloid Comprehensive: Similar price to above (about $900), but much more powerful and sophisticated servos. Also, the software seems to be more polished. The downside with this one is that the gray plastic parts don’t really look that nice.
Lynxmotion Scout/Custom Servo Erector Set: Modular, affordable, upgradable and infinitely customizable. Nothing proprietary here, so you can do what you want, but it probably takes more skill to really get this one going. The SSC-32 and Lynxmotion Sequencer software are nice and very well supported. One downside here is that you need to stack two largish boards to get full servo control from the SSC-32/SEQ along with a microcontroller board (AtomBotBoard). Note: This is a non-issue in a Johnny5 build because you have the rover base for electronics.
HPI/Futaba GR-001: New robot, smaller than all the above, but very fast and agile. More expensive than all except maybe the Manoi. Also not yet available unless you order it from Japan. Looks pretty cool, but I can’t see paying more for a smaller biped unless you are a speed freak.
My personal feeling is that the Bioloid might be the best overall Robo-One option, especially for someone starting out. It has a Lego kind of quality to it, only much much nicer. The Robonova-1 is probably the best choice for a beginner that wants metal brackets and a real Robo-One look. I think the other options are all nice, but may be better for someone a little more advanced.
The Johnny5 is probably the way to go if you want it to be able to move around on carpet. How do you want to spend your time, trying to get it to walk without falling, or actually programming behavior?
Honestly, all of the above options are viable. It really depends on your skill level and what you like. I’d pick the one that gets your juices flowing and make it your own.
I’m not sure which direction I’ll end up going. I’m going to finish up a rover I’m working on then decide for sure. The cash is really burning a hole in my pocket though!
i have till and thin carpet and have use a robosapien v2 on the carpet and it did very well for a biped.
i am a beginner but would like to get a robot that will last and can get upgrads for, and like the robonova alot
I am sure it would not be too difficult to build a Robonova style robot using the Servo Erector Set. You would have the ability to upgrade and change the design any time you wanted to do it. I don’t think there is a better way to go for a completely upgradeable and changeable robot.
8-Dale
I also have tile and thin carpet (Burber), so I’ve thought about this. I think you should plan from the start to have gyros installed if you want it to walk on tile and thin carpet. People have done it with the Robonova, and there is code available:
theoddrobot.com/2006/04/proj … 1-kit.html
Aside from gyos, the best upgrade for the Robonova will be the new more powerful servos when they are available.
I personally would not recommend a custom SES design/build for a beginner. But no one but yourself can decide how to spend $1000…
I actually just ordered some SES parts and Hitec robot servos, and I am now committed to building a custom SES humanoid. It’s not a project to be taken lightly, but I hope I can pull it off…eventually. 
Let us know what you decide to do.
well i have been looking all day for info on the robonova and found some cool things. so i think this bot is the one for me
if anyone knows some upgrades for this robot and where i can purchase them that would be very nice
this site was very helpful : theoddrobot.com/2006/04/proj … 1-kit.html
I believe that most of this has been answered, but I thought I would throw in my two cents. The robot has a microcontroller on it that allows you to program it to be freemoving or remotely controlled by the user. The default code was set up to run off of their IR remote control, where when you pressed a button it would run one of their sequences, such as step forward, back, bow, etc.
I found the RN to be both fun and frustrating. They did have a bunch of stock moves that comes with it. Also there are users up on the RoboSavvy forum that have done a lot with them. What I found frustrating was dealing with their controller and trying to add other things on to it. For example they do have support for a specific GYRO built in, but if you wish to use some other hardware such as any I2C devices they did not make it very easy. I was able to make it sort of work, but I was never happy with the code as you were basically turning on the hardware ports to bit bang it out. This was especially frustrating as I know the underlying hardware has native support for I2C.
I also found that the RN would fall over on several of the different moves especially on carpet, unless everything was exactly correct. During this time I also discovered that my interests were not in the perfecting of the different sequences, but in actually making it doing things, such as reading a sensor and avoiding a wall… So my RoboNova-1 is in a box in the closet.
Since then I have built the Lynxmotion Hex and Brat and have had a lot of fun. I really enjoy working with the Lynxmotion stuff and as such I would personally choose the Johnny 5. You might first start off with the Brat or Scout and then later reuse the parts. That is the fun of using SES.
Good Luck
thanks that helps alot, the 2 bots are both very cool and both have my attention. it will mainly come do to which one can do more and has the most upgrads and new codes.
If you want upgrade-ability then a rover type platform is the best choice whether it be on wheels or tracks only because this type can carry a great deal of weight. hexapods have the space for add-ons but the amount of weight the legs can support is limited.
If you’re just fascinated by bipeds, then a Robonova would be a great choice for learning.
Just my opinions.
thanks i dont know which one is better but i think the robonova 1 might come first because it is already out and i can get it now
johnny 5 is cool and can do alot but what can this bot do?
It can do whatever you are clever enough to make it do. This is a DIY hobby.
The kit built Humanoids (RoboNova, KHR etc) all come with a factory controller and software. It is good but limited to what they allow you to do. There are hacks and API’s but none of them as yet appear to 100% effective.
The beauty of a custom robot (in which I include the lynxmotion bots) is that the inital software and controllers are not limited. Once you become comfortable with what the stock moves can do, you have the ability to experiment further and expand your understanding and skills…
I own a KHR, and to be honest would probably go for something like a hexapod or Custom SES bot if I were to start again…
so do u think i sould get the johnny 5 or stick to the robonova 1 ?
It’s a no-brainer. Get the Johnny 5. Paul is wise, the SES stuff is the way to go if you think you can manage it. Take a look at this thread, it’s going to be available soon:
lynxmotion.net/viewtopic.php?t=2096
Actually, I’d recommend you start with that tracked vehicle platform along with this stuff from lynxmotion.com:
AtomBotBoard with Basic Atom 28
Sabertooth 2x10 motor controller
PING sensor + 3-wire cable
SES sensor housing
Serial programming cable
Basic Atom programming manual
7.2V battery pack
a pack of 3/8" hex standoffs and 4-40 hex screws
That’s everything you’ll need to get an autonomous tracked rover going. That should keep you busy for a while. Probably longer than you think. Once that’s rolling, get your Johnny 5 torso, SSC-32 servo controller and Visual Sequencer software. You may get different advice, but you won’t get better advice.
