Robotics

DJI's first ground-level robot is built to race, battle and educate

DJI's first ground-level robot is built to race, battle and educate
DJI's RoboMaster S1 can respond to claps, hand gestures and visual markers
DJI's RoboMaster S1 can respond to claps, hand gestures and visual markers
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Having found unparalleled success in the air, Chinese drone maker DJI is bringing things down to ground level with its first ever roving robot
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Having found unparalleled success in the air, Chinese drone maker DJI is bringing things down to ground level with its first ever roving robot
DJI's RoboMaster S1 can respond to claps, hand gestures and visual markers
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DJI's RoboMaster S1 can respond to claps, hand gestures and visual markers
The Robomaster S1 is so named because is inspired by DJI’s annual RoboMaster Robotics Competition for students, while the S1 is meant to denote "Step 1"
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The Robomaster S1 is so named because is inspired by DJI’s annual RoboMaster Robotics Competition for students, while the S1 is meant to denote "Step 1"
The SI can be controlled manually with a smartphone app or dedicated controller
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The SI can be controlled manually with a smartphone app or dedicated controller
More advanced users can write Scratch 3.0 and Python code to customize their S1s to perform an even wider array of functions
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More advanced users can write Scratch 3.0 and Python code to customize their S1s to perform an even wider array of functions
DJI's RoboMaster S1 can respond to claps, hand gestures and visual markers
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DJI's RoboMaster S1 can respond to claps, hand gestures and visual markers
The RoboMaster S1 is available from today and is priced at US$499
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The RoboMaster S1 is available from today and is priced at US$499
The SI can be controlled manually with a smartphone app or dedicated controller
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The SI can be controlled manually with a smartphone app or dedicated controller
DJI's RoboMaster S1 can respond to claps, hand gestures and visual markers
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DJI's RoboMaster S1 can respond to claps, hand gestures and visual markers
More advanced users can write Scratch 3.0 and Python code to customize their S1s to perform an even wider array of functions
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More advanced users can write Scratch 3.0 and Python code to customize their S1s to perform an even wider array of functions
DJI's RoboMaster S1 can respond to claps, hand gestures and visual markers
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DJI's RoboMaster S1 can respond to claps, hand gestures and visual markers
View gallery - 11 images

Having found unparalleled success in the air, Chinese drone maker DJI is bringing things down to ground level with its first ever roving robot. An educational tool first and a toy for playtime second, the RoboMaster S1 will bring some battle and racing fireworks to the living room floor, but overall is designed to offer a gentle pathway into the world of AI, engineering and robotics.

The Robomaster S1 is so named because it's inspired by DJI's annual RoboMaster Robotics Competition for students, while the S1 is meant to denote "Step 1." In keeping with this, the robot comes in modules so that kids can piece it together and wire it up themselves to learn how it all comes together.

That includes a set of four Mecanum wheels with 12 rollers apiece for omnidirectional movement, a mechanical gimbal fitted with a "blaster" for firing lightweight gel bead projectiles and sensor-equipped intelligent armor to detect strikes from rival S1 robots. Powering it along are brushless motors and a 2,400-mAh battery said to be good for 35 minutes of use.

The Robomaster S1 is so named because is inspired by DJI’s annual RoboMaster Robotics Competition for students, while the S1 is meant to denote "Step 1"
The Robomaster S1 is so named because is inspired by DJI’s annual RoboMaster Robotics Competition for students, while the S1 is meant to denote "Step 1"

The SI can be controlled manually with a smartphone app or dedicated controller, and comes with a set of smart functions right out of the box. These include an ability to automatically follow a line across the floor as mapped out by the user, recognize 44 different kinds of visual markers, (which that could serve as traffic lights, for example), follow a person in its field of vision, recognize and respond to claps and hand gestures, and perform unique movements when it encounters a fellow S1.

More advanced users can write Scratch 3.0 and Python code to customize their S1s to perform an even wider array of functions. These could be unique skills, adjusting the torque of the wheels or programming special counter attacks during an S1 battle royale.

The RoboMaster S1 is available from today and is priced at US$499. You can check out the robot's promo video below.

Source: DJI

DJI - Meet the RoboMaster S1

View gallery - 11 images
2 comments
2 comments
musheen
Why is this illegal in Washington DC and North Dakota?
Buzzclick
Dogs are not pleased with this contraption. In no time, some rambunctious kid will make it more lethal by modifying it with some serious firepower. The folks at DJI are obviously not sitting on their UAV laurels. China has long been making so many goods for us in the West that it's taking off technologically on its own, hence the recent clampdown on Huawei by Trump & Friends. Sore losers.