ROBONI-I PROGRAMMABLE GAMING ROBOT
Posted February 15th, 2010
Product Description
Product Description: Meet Roboni-i: a singular alloy of interactive gameplay as well as genuine universe robotics. Roboni-i is a neat smart drudge with perspective entirely programmable as well as installed with single-player games multiplayer games as well as includes disdainful entrance to fool around online in a Roboni-i Virtual World. With nimble 360 grade transformation 4 processors as well as sixteen sensors it can navigate upon a own equivocate obstacles as well as correlate with a sourroundings as well as alternative robots. Customize your drudge by programming his function to give your Roboni-i a own celebrity as well as moods. You can even emanate your own games or download games others have created. Welcome to a climb of robotic gaming: A brand new epoch of gaming starts now… The Roboni-i Game System comes with all we need for a idealisation robotic experience: your own Roboni-i drudge a bottom hire appetite pier with pod (ball) 3 Uni-Hubs as well as a SFX Hub. Also enclosed in a starter container have been a controller module bundled with 7 games as well as a USB cable. Requires a Personal Computer with Windows XP or Vista as well as twelve AA batteries (not included). Roboni-i Game System Includes: 1 Intelligent 2-wheeled Roboni-i drudge with sixteen sensors 4 processors 1 Base Station 1 appetite pier with round 3 Uni hubs 1 SFX heart 1 Controller with ZigBee record 7 Games Software upon CD 1 USB cableAmazon.com Review
Meet Roboni-i, a highly-intelligent drudge that fuses interactive, remote-controlled gameplay with modernized robotic technology. Operated wirelessly regulating a handheld controller as well as featuring 4 processors as well as sixteen sensors, Roboni-i can clarity as well as reply to his environment, try a room upon a own, as well as even rivet in games with alternative Roboni-i units. A great fondle for immature robotics enthusiasts, Roboni-i can additionally be related to your computer, permitting to reprogram his function as well as upload customized games.
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Roboni-i senses his sourroundings regulating infrared as well as hold sensors. View larger. |
The controller facilities an discerning pattern as well as an LED shade where we can perspective your Roboni-i’s status. View larger. |
Cutting-Edge Robotic Technology
With his unconventional design as well as space-age china color, Roboni-i would fit right during home in a scholarship novella movie. He facilities a permanent cosmetic framework that protects his perplexing middle technology.
Inside of Roboni-i have been twelve infrared sensors, that a drudge uses to clarity his surroundings, “talk” to alternative robots as well as promulgate with a enclosed BaseStation. He additionally facilities highly-sensitive hold sensors upon his front as well as behind bumpers, permitting him to clarity even a smallest earthy contact.
When Roboni-i senses something, he responds rught divided by executing formidable behaviors. For instance, if he collides with a wall, he’ll alarm with displeasure, turn around, as well as ensue in a conflicting direction. If he spots his BaseStation or an additional Roboni-i unit, he cunning glow off his laser. If left by himself for some-more than thirty seconds, he might even proceed to try a sourroundings upon his own. He’ll regularly sojourn nearby his BaseStation, though, so we do not have to be concerned about him erratic off by himself.
Fast, Nimble Remote-Control Action
With a full, 360-degree operation of motion, Roboni-i is incredibly agile. You carry out Roboni-i regulating a gentle handheld controller, that communicates wirelessly with a robot. The controller’s LCD shade displays assorted aspects of a robot’s status, such as his turn of “happiness,” his battery life, stream diversion mode, as well as so on.
The drudge is surprisingly fast, as well as he’s even means of stunts as well as loops. Keep in thoughts that his cosmetic support houses formidable electronics, so do not get as well furious with your stunts. He’s by no equates to an all-terrain car as well as is many appropriate driven upon a hard, prosaic surface.
Roboni-i facilities a ultimate in robotic fondle technology. View larger. |
Loaded with Personality
Roboni-i isn’t only a foolish automated workflow that we control. He is a moody, supportive drudge that seems to have a thoughts of his own! He is during his happiest when he gets lots of attention, as well as when he is in tighten closeness to his BaseStation.
If we switch his BaseStation off or pierce it out of reach, he will have a robotic “freak-out” as well as proceed frantically acid for it. When he’s in a great mood, he will incidentally glow off his laser, run divided as well as “hide” from you, as well as perform alternative witty acts.
When we compensate tighten courtesy to Roboni-i, we consequence “RoboTX” levels — a magnitude of how many your drudge trusts you. As we consequence some-more as well as some-more RoboTX levels, your drudge will benefit entrance to some-more modernized actions as well as movements. This is a fun underline that allows your drudge to grow boldly with we as a owner. However, it additionally requires we to deposit time in personification with your drudge in sequence to get a many out of a toy.
Roboni-i can rivet in multiplayer gameplay with alternative Roboni-i robots. View larger. |
Interactive Single- as well as Multi-Player Games
The underline that distinguishes Roboni-i from alternative robotic competitors is a capability to experience in genuine gameplay as well as multiplayer games with alternative Roboni-i owners. To set up a multiplayer game, a robots contingency “join” any alternative in a organisation so they will be means to brand any other. Once this happens, you’re giveaway to correlate with alternative Roboni-i units as well as fool around games with them.
Reprogram Roboni-i with Your Computer
Edit Roboni-i’s function with your PC. View larger. |
Using a enclosed Command Center program, we can customize a approach your Roboni-i reacts to opposite stimuli. The module is really easy to use, nonetheless it does take a little grade of mechanism cunning (which younger kids might not have.) A drag-and-drop menu lets we simply module your drudge to reverse, turn around, crabwalk, peep a wake up LEDs, as well as more. The module additionally comes with a endless tutorial, creation it easy to sense how to make make use of of your robot.
The Command Center module is concordant with Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7. It is corroborated by a 1-year singular warranty.
| Roboni-i’s PC-based Command Centre Screen Shot | ||
The Command Center facilities endless tutorials. View larger. |
Roboni-i’s goal is to urge a universe from coming asteroids. View larger. |
Roboni-i’s story is told by CGI-rendered movies, that we can perspective upon your computer. View larger. |
What’s in a Box
Roboni-i Robot, Base Station, Energy Port with Pod (Ball), Uni-hubs (3), SFX Hub, Controller, Software, Seven Games, USB Cable.
- The initial Robotic Gaming Platform
- Hi-tech, programmable drudge with personality
- Customizable function as well as diversion accessories
- Interactive controller featuring ZigBee technology
- Sensors embody sixteen infrared, 2 touch, as well as RFID
Average Ratings : 4.0
Price : $139.00
Roboni- i was recommended to me by a friend that had purchased one and then a second for her younger son. I bought one for my 12 year old.
From unpacking to start up took less than 10 min. I installed the software (running on Vista) and went through the normal process. We are all technology junkies in my household, so this is so down our alley. The robot immediately caught our attention, he (the robot, my son named him) was immediately running around the house – on its own as well, if you ignore the chap. Leaving the base station switched on also gives him a new character! We did buy the recommended re-chargable batteries, and I suggest getting good ones, this robot eats power. The first night Roboni- i took the test for over 1 hour and 38 minutes before I had to remove him. My son is inquisitive and a natural problem solver, and has sat working with Roboni-i everyday since. We are getting into the programming aspects of the robot -so cool and user-friendly. Have been able to programme variety of robot responses so far – I personally like his “shiver” a happy movement! It’s not the noise of the robot that bothers me, but my son constantly calling me to come see what Roboni- i can do. He loves it! The down side is that my younger son wants one too. My older son has now taken it round to friends trying to get them to buy one so that he has competition. Well let’s hope.
I really like the repeat play experience. There are some seven games included allowing my kid to play on his own for now – Colors – simply gathering specific colors as illustrate on the remote controller and depositing them at a loading dock in limited time. Good for coordination and memory development. Space Pods game allows multiplayer gaming which can be played according to the rules or your own. There are no rules printed, you have to access the software to get ti the tutorials. At the moment we play against time in like a soccer game fashion. For the price, computer learning experience and fun aspect it has hours, days and months of use ahead. We have only scratched the tip of the ice-berg, and so much more to learn. This robot truly has an extended life ahead. When I considered the price, it was in line with gaming prices for things such as Wii and PSP, in fact cheaper once you start adding all the game cards required for these games from time to time. Roboni-i is really a whole lot of stuff in one – a RC toy combined with lots of repeat play games and exposure to programming by plugging it into your PC. Can’t wait for online world to go live as well.
I strongly recommend the following:
1. Purchase the highest quality rechargable batteries (expensive, but much cheaper in the long run.)
2. Read up on Roboni i. Check out the video clips and media material online. This will give you a good insight.
Strenghts:
1. Lots of variety and clearly sustainable interest potential
2. So much value in computer learning experience and accessories
3. As far as robotic toys go, if one may refer to Roboni i as a toy, it stands in a class of it’s own based on the super software and gameing diversity
Weaknesses:
1. Definitely adds to the fun if a friend has one. I guess as this robot gains more exposure more children will have one, making the interactive experience so much better. It strikes me as having one of the first few cell phones around. Difficult to phone people who did not have one.
2. Eats batteries.
3. Noisy if you do not turn the volume down (in the Command Center).
I recommended it for the inquisitive, and active mind with imagination.
Rating: 5 / 5
This is one of the best birthday gifts I have ever purchased for anyone. This robot is unreal. I purchased this back in September for my nephew’s 12th birthday. I was looking for something special for him, and this was it. He can program this robot to do virtually anything he wants it to do. What has impressed me with this robot is that it’s been over 3 months that he has had it, and he has not put it down since he opened it. The last robot I got him, was cool for about 2 hours and It has been collecting dust ever since. This is one of those toys that the more he plays with it, the better he gets at it and the more he gets into it. It has been very durable too, he’s not exactly easy on things.
I installed the software for him with no issues. The software is very good, in that it makes it very easy to program without having to be a programmer. He is now getting into creating his own games with the software. This is the first toy that I have ever seen where I feel the possibilities are endless and that it will be played with for many years. It seems like it is a little bit ahead of its time with all of the technology packed into this one robot and with the way you can customize it. The games are a blast and very different than any other games I’ve seen, the programming takes this thing to a whole other level and I am so impressed with it and what my nephew has done, I am buying 2 more as christmas gifts. My niece and other nephew have shown a lot of interest in it. I think this robot is a great blend of education and entertainment and is a good way to get a child interested in programming and robotics. I bought them each one for Christmas; she is almost 11 and my other nephew is 15.
I can’t wait for Christmas day so that we can have insane robot wars, blast each other and compete against each other in games. Perhaps I should get one for myself! At this price this is a smoking deal with free shipping too! I paid a lot more for it back in September. I give it 2 thumbs up. Hands down this is by far the best toy I have purchased in a very long time. You won’t be disappointed in this cool robot! It is a lot of fun, keeps a kid’s interest and teaches some programming basics.
Rating: 5 / 5
Compared to othe reviewers, I have to say I have NO experience with robot technology. I wanted to see how my young grandsons enjoyed this, and well as their fathers! For our family, it was a lot of fun. I experienced some difficulty downloading the software on one of our computers, but had no trouble with another, that has Windows Vista. And the robot is ready to roll out of the box, with some simple abilities that amused us all. He performs some stunts with the accessories that are included and he roams around on his own. He is capable of more complex interaction as you play with him and you can program him on the computer to personalize him . The online feature is not up yet, so I can’t comment on that. Roboni-i takes 12 AA batteries, so be prepared to invest in those. We have rechargeables, the only sensible solution for this robot. This is will be a teaching tool for all of us as we learn to customize and use the more advanced features.
Rating: 4 / 5
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RUSUDSP3IX5LO Don’t buy this product; it’s not ready for the 2009 holiday season. Do yourself and Amazon Customer Service a favor, and look elsewhere so you don’t have to deal with Christmas morning disappointment and re-packing the Roboni-i for a return trip back to the Amazon warehouse.
I’ve just spent my entire night trying to get the software to install on any one of three different computers in my home, and all have been unsuccessful (11/24/09 update – I finally got it to install on an XP desktop). During the installation process, Windows warned me that the device drivers that the Roboni-i was trying to install were not certified with Microsoft — proceed at your own risk, if you dare. I installed the drivers anyway, but launching the software on my Windows Vista laptop gave me a nasty error message (”Could not load file or assembly ‘System.Data.SqlServerCe, Version=3.5.1.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=89845dcd8080cc91′ or one of its dependencies.”). I tried uninstalling/reinstalling and got the same error message.
On Windows 7, I had a “better” experience: I didn’t get the error message, but instead I got a mostly blackened Command Center screen with two textboxes where I was supposed to enter something, but the textbox labels didn’t render properly, leaving me to wonder what, exactly, I was supposed to enter? First and last name, maybe?
Trying to install the software on my old XP desktop had the best success. I still got the driver install warning from Windows, but at least I could see the textbox labels when opening the Command Center (I’m supposed to enter my own nickname and the name for my robot). Okay, but when I tried connecting the robot to the computer via USB, the robot very loudly started beeping and moving about, so I had to hold it in one hand while I tried clicking “Register” in the other! Worse, the computer failed to properly connect with the robot, and because the robot kept shaking and beeping so LOUDLY, I ran the risk of waking all four children and my wife who were already in bed. Forget it!
Okay, I’m an IT worker, and I’m used to buggy software. So I hit the Web for some answers — surely I’m not the first to encounter this kind of problem. But Robonica is a brand-spanking new company, and there is virtually nothing on the Internet that will help you solve any problems you encounter. Robonica’s website doesn’t even have a Support page link! No FAQs! No Knowledgebase! Yes, you’re the first one to own a Roboni-i, and now you get to be the first one to debug all of its problems. (And how much did you pay for that privilege?). There was an email address for the North America office, so I’ve emailed them my problems. I’ll gladly re-edit my review as the problem-resolution process unfolds. (11/26/09 update: Stupidly, Robonica has a Troubleshooting guide embedded in their software — including troubleshooting steps to take if you can’t install the software! Now, if you can’t install the software in the first place, how are you going to see the Troubleshooting guide??? This should be available on their website instead).
Did I mention this robot is loud? There is no volume switch or mute switch on the robot, so get used to the LOUD beeps and whistles this thing makes. Get used to the clattering and shaking and other robotic noises. If you ever get the software to work properly, maybe you can programmatically turn down or turn off the sound. One can only hope so. (11/24/09 update: the software *can* mute or lower the robot’s volume level).
I usually start my reviews with an Out-Of-Box experience. Upon opening the Amazon carton, my first impression with the Roboni-i package was, “Wow, it seems like they’re asking a lot of money for something that looks like a space-age remote control toy.” Note: The whole kit takes 12 AA batteries, so either stock-up beforehand, or, better yet, buy rechargeables. The packaging includes a color, 8×11 Quick Start (always nice) and a larger, black-and-white poster with 26 sections covering how to install the batteries, robot personality (yes, the robot can be “happy” or “angry”), and other functions. The product only comes with a 90-day warranty — seems short for something this expensive.
Roboni-i is clearly designed for boys, not girls. The product literature refers to him with masculine pronouns. It makes sense, too: this robot is loud and likes to shoot things with its “laser” gun (not a real laser, just harmless infrared light). Boys might be disappointed that the red laser light depicted on the product literature doesn’t really exist. The upside? Your curtains won’t catch fire.
I’ve got four kids (7 to 13), so they all gleefully watched this robot light up and move about once we installed the 12 batteries. My 13-year-old son is really into robotics, so I let him lead the way in learning how to use one of the three pre-loaded games. He got the hang of it very quickly. The challenge is in using the robot’s steering, which is very imprecise and hard to do…down right frustrating, actually. Press the left button on the control makes the robot turn to the left, the right button makes it turn to the right, and pressing both together propels the robot forward (or backward). The robot moves very briskly at only two speeds: 60% and 100%. Again, you probably can program it to run more slowly if you could get the software to work properly.
One-by-one, the interest level waned quickly. Soon, my 13-year-old son and I were the only ones left. My son quipped something very noteworthy: “This would probably be a lot more fun if you were playing with other people” — meaning with other people who had the same robot, so you could enjoy multi-player games. I agreed with him. The trouble is, this is a very expensive robot — how many parents of your kid’s friends will pony up the same money as you did to buy their kid a Roboni-i, too?
Now, I’m writing this review on the strength of a single day living with this robot. But the holidays are upon us, and my experience today was much too reminiscent of Christmas 2008, when I bought my then-12-year-old son a LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 (8547) robot set. He opened that present with such glee — it was the most expensive present he got last Christmas — but the out-of-box experience was so bad, so frustrating, that he nearly shelved it away just like he did the Robosapian he got the year before (which was a total waste of money). Happily, my son overcame the obstacles of Day One with his Lego NXT set and he’s enjoyed using that robotic system all year long. (Note: Lego NXT is now sold as a “2.0″ release, and they’ve wisely swapped out the problematic sound sensor that gave my son such fits last Christmas). If you buy the Roboni-i, you’re going to be disappointed on Day One that the software doesn’t install correctly, and you’ll waste precious hours on Christmas morning trying to salvage this toy in the eyes of your son. I’d hate for that to happen to you.
The Roboni-i may well be a terrific robot once the Robonica company irons-out the software glitches that keeps it from working correctly right out of the box. But why risk buying this robot when other choices are available? If you’ve *got* to have a Roboni-i, wait until next holiday season when someone else has worked out all these software kinks.
*** NOVEMBER 24, 2009 UPDATE
I figured out how to connect the Roboni-i to my XP-running desktop. To install, I firstly ran the installation CD. Then, I clicked-on the installed program, and connected the Roboni-i via USB cable. At that point, Windows began searching for drivers (I thought it did that during the installation, though??). I pointed Windows to the installation CD which was still the DVD tray, and the drivers appeared to install (again?). At that point, the computer and the robot could see each other. At best, it’s a quirky installation process.
My 13yo son is exploring the software today. We watched an introductory video (pretty cool). The online world, however, is not yet available — the webpage says it’ll be operational in December 2009 (hopefully, no later than by December 24th!). My son did figure out how to mute or quiet the robot using the software (thank heavens!).
To the company’s credit, I got a helpful response by the company, Robotica, within hours of my email query. Seems they know of a problem and are working on a solution for their software. In the meantime, they gave me a workaround solution that may help install the software on Windows Vista and Windows 7. I’ll try it out.
When I first wrote my review, I gave it a 1-star review. I’ve bumped it up to 2-stars just because I can now at least use the software. Heaven help you, though, if there isn’t a techie in your house to work out the software glitches to this version 1 release.
More follow-up to come — stay tuned.
Rating: 2 / 5
Robotics runs in our family, My Wife teaches Robotics to kids 5-8 grade, my daughter 13yr old obviously is completely involved in this, she and her team are now in regional level First LEGO League competition (FLL 2009) which involves building functional robots using LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 (8547) kit. This year’s theme is all about Smart Transportation.
Having given the background, let me share the experiences with ROBONI-I
Roboni-I Programmable Gaming Robot is a “TOY” that can introduce your child into world of gaming and robotics at the same time teaches your child some concepts of programming; it has good education value and hours of engagement and fun for the whole family.
Robotics is an expensive hobby for most, Roboni-I is no exception, however, this is truly the first attempt from any company to commercialize robotic gaming and the future surely looks bright for this company as my daughter already given me a thumbs up for this robot! And soon many will follow as she shares this information for others in the school and her FLL team.
Roboni-I Programmable Gaming Robot can be really enjoyed the best when you pair with your friend or against a team of players controlling other robots as the robots are designed to communicate with each other.
The Robot construction is truly space age with gears and wheels and has tons of sensors that provide feedback to the robot. I will not go over the specifications as you can find that on the website and product manuals.
Roboni-I uses tons of AA batteries, total of QTY 12, before even you start using the product I strongly recommend buying heavy duty Sanyo 2,700 mAh AA NiMH Rechargeable Batteries (4-Pack)
Software installation was hiccup free for me when compared to others seen here; I have an older Windows XP (SP3) based Laptop which was used for this task, as the drivers are not “WHQL” certified and digitally signed it will give you warning during installation. If you abort the process the Robot will not be recognized by the software provided. If you run into that situation, re-install the software with Robot connected to your PC via provided USB cable and install the drivers that are not digitally signed.
It is a very agile robot with very high degree of flexibility in motion, Agree with others here that it is bit on the “noisier” side, but hey! It is a toy and this one has attitude too
The robot can be programmed and his behaviors can be changed from the control center software and can be told to do different actions, At this time of the review, we have not fully mastered the control center commands yet and we will update the review once we are able to program the Robot to do other activities.
The Online World as advertised by Roboni-I is not operational yet, when you try to register your Robot Online to play against other robots online it says “Under Construction “…
This clearly shows that [...] has rushed this product out the door to capture the holiday shoppers without fully delivering the features promised on the product, But If they keep up their promises I am sure it will be accepted by the community as there are always some hurdles to overcome when you launch a new age of technology online.
The included accessories will provide days of fun for any robot enthusiastic person, while the instruction manual is very basic, the software has good instructions about the things one can do with the Robot. It is little too overwhelming at first, but I am sure kids can easily learn to get over the Menus with little practice.
PROS:
[+] Fully functional ROBOT right out of the box
[+] Very agile and can do lots of tricks for you.
[+] Good set of accessories included
[+] Plastic but sturdy construction
CONS:
[-] Online world is not available yet
[-] Needs a lot of AAnbatteries
[-] Drivers are not WHQL certified and digitally signed.
While this is not as robust and fully supported by community as LEGO Mindstorms, Roboni-I provides a different type of educational and gaming experience for kids especially for the competitive minded. Roboni-I’s greatest advantage is that it comes fully ready to use when compared to LEGO Mindstorms kit and your child can start enjoying the robot out of the box and when he or she gets bored with the included games, the programming aspects and future ONLINE gaming experience will keep your child busy educationally and intellectually for months to come.
It is a decent buy, Make sure you get two of them for competitive robot gaming!
Rating: 4 / 5