Kondo aims lower down the food chain with cute turtle robot kit (video)

Kondo's bipedal robots have always filled us with a sense of awe, whether they're duking it out in the arena or practicing touchscreen moves. However, we'd never quite seen a Kondo bot that we'd classify as cute until this robot turtle came along. The Kame Robotto is apparently the first in the Kondo Animal series, and it's honestly a pretty simple kit -- nine servos, a tiny board and a 10.8V, 300mAh NiMH battery pack , plus software and a simple frame. That said, it's pretty amazing how tightly these off-the-shelf components come together to create a scuttling, waving little thing, and we dare you to watch the video after the break without feeling the slightest twinge of compassion for the bot. RT Robot Shop wants ¥39,900 (about $450) for the creature, which is reportedly limited to 100 pieces -- if you happen to live in Japan, get your preorder (for July 15) in at the source link.

[techee44 Posted Jul 13th 2010 6:22PM]

Mommy, can I have a turtle?

[Psyclotr0n Posted Jul 13th 2010 6:24PM]

cute robot charms its way to your doom

[gdavis1997 Posted Jul 13th 2010 6:25PM]

I like turtles

[A25i Posted Jul 13th 2010 6:47PM]

Turtle turtle turtle.

[Ejhammer Posted Jul 14th 2010 4:38AM]

TMNT on meth. A regular turtle would go "Oh snap" if it saw the speed roboturtle was moving at.

[Shif Posted Jul 13th 2010 7:02PM]

That's a damn crab lol not a turtle at all

[systox Posted Jul 13th 2010 8:36PM]

@Shif

crabs walk sideways. On that note, i looked up scuttle online and apparently i was under the wrong impression too because no definition has it close to the category of a type of movement.. Someone shed some light? It seems the most popular definition is that its the process of sinking a ship. I'm so confused engadget!

[yuriha Posted Jul 13th 2010 7:31PM]

I rather the Tachikomas :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tachikoma

[bebop Posted Jul 13th 2010 7:44PM]

limited to 100 units

[Bgrngod Posted Jul 13th 2010 7:59PM]

Where's the machine gun go?

[dagetz Posted Jul 13th 2010 8:31PM]

I LIKE TURTLES!!!!!!! :P

[dagetz Posted Jul 13th 2010 8:31PM]

@dagetz zombie kid for anyone that doesnt get that...look it up on youtube

[Bob the Terrorist Posted Jul 13th 2010 10:06PM]

@dagetz HAHAHAHAHA that just made my day!

[cajunajun Posted Jul 14th 2010 8:07PM]

@dagetz just bc i have to help spread the awesomness of this video... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMNry4PE93Y

[Nilithius Posted Jul 13th 2010 11:02PM]

I liek tuhtels.

[vo Posted Jul 14th 2010 6:34AM]

This is actually a pretty good deal -- KRS-4024HV servos are reasonably strong (10.5 kg-cm torque) and even RT Robot Shop sells a bundle of 6 for 36,225 yen or about $68 USD each. This kit is only $450 USD or $50 USD per servo. Not to mention you also get the wires, electronics (RCB-3HV control board), and battery too.

So, you could buy this kit and then use the 9 servos for something else entirely - the RCB-3HV can be programmed for different motions. Add an Arduino, and you can add extra programmability or networking to the robot!

[glamajamma Posted Jul 14th 2010 8:39AM]

Why does he keep telling the operator "no." What is that guy asking that turtle to do?

[kenjennings Posted Jul 14th 2010 9:14AM]

The Bioloid humanoid kit is designed to also make a number of other, less complicated bots, like the turtle and other animals.

http://www.robotis.com/xe/bioloid_en

[LazyLemming Posted Jul 14th 2010 11:39AM]

That thing vs my turtles! Fight!