Robotics

Robugtix tarantula robot gets a new, more affordable sibling

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Robugtix's T8X octopod robot will ship June 2014
Robugtix's T8X octopod robot will ship June 2014
A profile view of Robugtix's T8 tarantula robot
A front view of Robugtix's T8 tarantula robot
Robugtix's T8 robot dances and moves smoothly thanks to the Bigfoot Robotics Engine
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Robugtix has been hard at work fulfilling orders for its T8 tarantula robot that debuted earlier this year, as well as showing off its lifelike motion engine in a new video. Now the company has also announced a much cheaper version of the robot called the T8X which can be pre-ordered for a fraction of the cost of the original.

The original T8's early-bird price (US$1,350) is no longer available, so if you want to buy one today it will cost you a staggering $2950. Realizing this may be a bit too steep for the masses, Robugtix is wisely fast-tracking a cheaper option called the T8X. Due to ship in June 2014, the T8X will cost $799, and if you pre-order anytime before January 1st 2014, you can score one for $499.

A big part of the T8's charm is its lifelike appearance. Its form-fitting exoskeleton was designed using CAD software and manufactured using a 3D printer. While 3D printing is great for prototyping and for small batches of parts, the lengthy printing process can also backfire, leading to production bottlenecks. Therefore the T8X ditches the T8's 3D printed exoskeleton in favor of cheaper injection-molded plastic parts, which was key to reducing its price. In addition, it switches out the wireless XBee communication in favor of the more popular Wi-Fi, and comes newly equipped with touch sensors and a built-in charging system.

Otherwise the two models are virtually identical, powered by a total of 26 servo motors all controlled by the Bigfoot Robotics Engine. The robots also come "nearly" fully assembled. This makes it easy to play with the robot right out of the box, since you won't have to put it together and individually program all the robot's joints to make it walk around. If tinkering is your kind of thing, you'll be glad to know the robot comes with Robutix's SDK.

Besides walking and turning on eight legs, the Bigfoot engine is equally adept at making the robot dance. Watch it shake its booty in the following video.

Source: Robugtix

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3 comments
myale
Link in some form of simple AI to control an automated patrol area, some form of ability to recognise shape or voice either through the camera or microphone to recognise people as friends, add in some teeth coated with contact poison and you have a new guard spider to look after your property
lat1865
Anyone remember Housekeeper spiders? Let's put these guys to work in our homes to rid the high corners, edges, and sconces of spiders and scorpions. Something like RoombaRobos for ceilings and walls.
The Skud
And the first time you let it loose in the same abode as any sort of arachniphobe it will get severely 'stamped upon' in the dark! So, you are not only out the $500, you are probably also out the cost of a new whatever was used to smash it to bits!