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Penguins Discontinued !?!?!? — Parallax Forums

Penguins Discontinued !?!?!?

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  • WhitWhit Posts: 4,191
    edited 2010-05-08 20:24
    Jim,

    Wonder if it is just those colors (Red and Clear). The other colors don't show as discontinued so I don't think the Blue and Black Penguins are discontinued.

    Edit! - Yikes - now they all show as discontinued. Wonder what is up?

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    Whit+


    "We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney

    Post Edited (Whit) : 5/8/2010 8:31:42 PM GMT
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2010-05-08 22:48
    Lots of other stuff discontinued, too, including my beloved BASIC Stamp Rev. Dx Module !

    No more Penguins? Humanoido will be on suicide watch!

    A sad day, indeed! What's up,Parallax? No heads-up warning, or are you just switching to RoHs stuff?

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    ·"If you build it, they will come."
  • ScopeScope Posts: 417
    edited 2010-05-08 23:14
    Whit said...
    Edit! - Yikes - now they all show as discontinued. Wonder what is up?

    Maybe the military procured them for strategic initiatives.
  • WhitWhit Posts: 4,191
    edited 2010-05-08 23:49
    Prop-Penguin?

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    Whit+


    "We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney
  • hover1hover1 Posts: 1,929
    edited 2010-05-09 01:21
    DX Module was one of my favorites also!
    Jim
    erco said...
    Lots of other stuff discontinued, too, including my beloved BASIC Stamp Rev. Dx Module !

  • hover1hover1 Posts: 1,929
    edited 2010-05-09 02:00
    Just checked a couple of outlets.

    HVW where I got what I think was the last Gold Toddler on the planet earth. Looks like they only carried Red Penguins. Out of stock:

    ·http://www.hvwtech.com/products_view.asp?ProductID=10888

    Robotshop shows Blue and Red in stock, Black and Nickel sold out:

    ·http://www.robotshop.com/ProductSearch.aspx?qs=Penguin

    Also Fry's show all in stock:

    ·http://www.frys.com/search?search_type=regular&sqxts=1&query_string=Penguin+Robot&cat=0&submit.x=21&submit.y=14

    Where's my stimulus check when I need it?

    Jim

    PS. Fry's still shows Scibblers in stock.

    Post Edited (hover1) : 5/9/2010 2:05:36 AM GMT
  • Tony B.Tony B. Posts: 356
    edited 2010-05-09 12:50
    Guess I better get mine ordered. I have one of the Toddlers in blue and have always wanted one of the Penguins( OK I confess. I want a whole flock or herd, what ever you call a large group of Penguins, playing soccer), but used the extra for other robot projects. I never thought they would discontinue the Penguin.

    I am a little concerned since Parallax has always seemed to communicate and keep their customers well informed.

    Since tomorrow is Monday maybe we'll hear something.

    Tony
  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2010-05-09 19:44
    Tony B. said...
    OK I confess. I want a whole flock or herd, what ever you call a large group of Penguins,...

    You want a "waddle" of penguins...

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    Powered by enthusiasm
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2010-05-09 19:56
    I'm with Whit on the Prop-Penguin. Just as S2 is replacing the Scribbler, there may be a Propeller-powered Penguin possibly (say that ten times fast)...

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    ·"If you build it, they will come."

    Post Edited (erco) : 5/9/2010 8:39:29 PM GMT
  • Tony B.Tony B. Posts: 356
    edited 2010-05-09 21:26
    SRLM Thanks!

    So I would like to have a waddle of Prop Penguins playing soccer!

    Now, say that tens times real fast.

    Tony
  • HumanoidoHumanoido Posts: 5,770
    edited 2010-05-10 06:42
    Those are discontinued Penguins with the old board design. A new board is being introduced - which is amazing - it can display the entire alphabet and many graphics, has an extra port, and other upgrades, but it may have some wrinkles which need to be ironed out and that takes some time. So for now I think Penguin is waddling about in the twilight zone in search of a brain. A Propeller based Penguin would be fantastic, considering all the ports that would become available along with parallel processing.

    humanoido

    Post Edited (humanoido) : 5/10/2010 6:47:12 AM GMT
  • HumanoidoHumanoido Posts: 5,770
    edited 2010-05-10 09:11
    erco and Tony B.

    (ten times very fast)

    A Proper Port Plumed Picked Paradoxical Parallax PINGED))) Partaking Partly-Put Passingly-Propulsive Penned Pensive Primed Pie Processing Puttering Pecking Packing Peering Polite Puzzled Pickled-Pine-Pink Parallel-Propeller-Processor-Powered Picky Purring Pentameter-Pouring Pun-Pronouncing Pang-Pinned Pondering Propped Penguin Pan-Playing a Protruding Peddling Player-Piano Portfolio Profusely Past the Plumbed Plaid-Plenum-Planned Patio Philodendron-Plot Padded Plantation.

    humanoido
  • hover1hover1 Posts: 1,929
    edited 2010-05-10 12:38
    @humanoido

    Thanks for the inside scoop!

    Now we just need Frys to put the old model on clearance!

    Jim
  • Tony B.Tony B. Posts: 356
    edited 2010-05-10 12:46
    humanoido,

    LOL

    I made it to Pinged))) ten times

    Thanks for the info

    Tony
  • HumanoidoHumanoido Posts: 5,770
    edited 2010-05-10 15:16
    Any Parallax-discontinuance of an early version board walking Penguin robot would make it extremely valuable not only as a collectors item but as a prime elemental part of evolutionary robotics history embedded in the family of tilt and stride style biped walkers. For example, if you have both the Toddler and Penguin, the set is invaluably rare. If you have a modified Toddler or Penguin, the uniqueness is one-of-a-kind (i.e. Toddler Humanoid Kit, or Penguin with the Big Hand Kit). Board versions will keep features, programming capabilities and Penguin varieties unique.

    humanoido
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,390
    edited 2010-05-10 15:37
    I'll come back and answer the Penguin questions soon with far more detail - today I'm working on some inventory preparations (from which I cannot escape) along with preparations for going to UPEC.

    Short story is that Penguins have a very high cost of manufacturing and a challenging PCB design issue.

    As soon as I have some time I'll give this topic the attention it deserves (David Carrier may also reply).

    Thanks, Ken

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    Ken Gracey
    Parallax Inc.

    Follow me at http://twitter.com/ParallaxKen for some insider news.
  • hover1hover1 Posts: 1,929
    edited 2010-05-10 15:39
    I agree about old versions being valuable. That's why I just purchased a Scibbler, (Parallax ebay auction, so it came right from the source). I have both the Blue and Gold Toddler, but I'm going to find it hard to get the whole fleet of old Penguins before they run out. (Uncle Sam took my Penguin money)sad.gif

    Jim
    humanoido said...
    Any Parallax-discontinuance of an early version board walking Penguin robot would make it extremely valuable not only as a collectors item but as a prime elemental part of evolutionary robotics history embedded in the family of tilt and stride style biped walkers. For example, if you have both the Toddler and Penguin, the set is invaluably rare. If you have a modified Toddler or Penguin, the uniqueness is one-of-a-kind (i.e. Toddler Humanoid Kit, or Penguin with the Big Hand Kit). Board versions will keep features, programming capabilities and Penguin varieties unique.

    humanoido
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2010-05-10 16:23
    Ken:

    I feel terrible for you. You're left holding the bag. If Humanoido is right, and there's a newer, better, shinier Penguin in the offing, NOBODY will want the nasty old inferior units ever again. Surely you have a small supply (offline) of those nasty old defunct, non-relevant orphan Penguins, and no hope of selling them.

    You're a nice guy; I'll do you a favor and bail you out. I'll probably lose my shirt on this one, but I'm prepared to pay you $15 EACH for your entire inventory of the old model. Call me crazy, but I'll feel good about it after all is said & done. Bundle them up, ship 'em off and I'll write you a check today!

    Better hurry before I come to my senses!

    Old Man Potter

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    ·"If you build it, they will come."
  • hover1hover1 Posts: 1,929
    edited 2010-05-10 17:05
    I'll go $16.00! tongue.gif NOT...I don't know what the inventory is!

    I bet they still have the mechanicals, (the expensive part?), and are just going to produce a new controller board. The hard part is unboxing all of the old ones to retrofit the new board. I wonder if the new board will be available to upgrade old penguins?
    @Ken I know it will be an even better product when you are finished. It's just like Parallax to want to have the best product out there.

    Jim

    Post Edited (hover1) : 5/10/2010 6:15:42 PM GMT
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2010-05-10 17:58
    How about a one-legged hopper? THAT would be a pretty cool project.

    I'm on it like stink on a monkey.

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    ·"If you build it, they will come."
  • hover1hover1 Posts: 1,929
    edited 2010-05-10 21:43
    A one legged Big Dog?

    Using the spring loaded foot that was just up on the forums but I can not find.

    Of course without the 2-cycle engine. turn.gif
  • WBA ConsultingWBA Consulting Posts: 2,934
    edited 2010-05-11 08:09
    Ken, I would love to have a swing at your "challenging PCB design issue". A quick look at the board and the couple issues I see are easily addressable.

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    Andrew Williams
    WBA Consulting
    WBA-TH1M Sensirion SHT11 Module
    Special Olympics Polar Bear Plunge, Mar 20, 2010
  • HumanoidoHumanoido Posts: 5,770
    edited 2010-05-11 11:57
    @WBA

    Do you have the rev B board in your hand
    or looking at the posted rev B schematic?
    Which two problems are you referring to?

    humanoido

    Post Edited (humanoido) : 5/12/2010 1:23:45 AM GMT
  • Redd DawgRedd Dawg Posts: 26
    edited 2010-05-12 01:40
    I got mine and it's resting in the box, waiting for a cold weekend here in Idaho. I'm also a bit curious why the links for corresponding parts went? You know, buy a "Ping" sensor and it has links for the mount et cetera....Always gave me the need to buy more toys!

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  • HumanoidoHumanoido Posts: 5,770
    edited 2010-05-12 09:31
    Redd Dawg said...
    I'm also a bit curious why the links for corresponding parts went? You know, buy a "Ping" sensor and it has links for the mount et cetera....
    Gremlins. They bit Ken Gracey who contracted Gremlin's Disease, whereupon, filled with fever, he immediately discontinued Penguins. The Parallax web site is filled with Gremlins, so you can expect anything such as no corresponding links, FTP failures, shocking discontinuance of products and numerous other anomalies. David Carrier was bit the deepest when he first started work at Parallax, in fact, petrified Gremlin jaw bones are still embedded on the side of his head and field psychologists are studying his Katra and bones at this very moment.
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,390
    edited 2010-05-12 20:49
    Hey guys,

    Let me explain why the Penguins are currently shown as discontinued.

    We recently made a significant board revision for Penguin, making another I/O free, adding some caps on the power supply, sending I/Os to the display through a shift register, and making an improvement to the programming circuitry. Two of our crew made the revisions to the Penguin PCB and tested prototypes internally. The only problem is that they overlooked a situation very common with Penguins: resets when not connected to the USB cable. Pretty basic, but we blew it and sent this board to production. Now, we have 500 Penguin PCBs which only run when connected to a USB cable. The fix consists of a jumper and an piggy-backed SMT resistor (David Carrier could clarify). Because the repair consists of a tynar wire and resistor it is not suitable for internal rework and subsequent sale.

    In addition to these 500 boards (that erco will now buy, with hardware!) we have around 100-250 Penguin hardware kits in assorted colors.

    Considering rework isn't an option, we can (a) redesign a battery pack board (that's the one with the problem) and continue or (b) discontinue. Because I don't have time to get involved in the redesign and our staff is so busy, I've taken (b) for now.

    We are short on staff, too. We've added two new positions in engineering for this kind of work. Nobody has left Parallax, but our business and workload is evolving. We need more engineers.

    More to follow - I'm on my way to UPEC right now. I'm open to whatever ideas you guys may have to help out in this case. We could always distribute what we have with a "repair kit" that our customers install.

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    Ken Gracey
    Parallax Inc.

    Follow me at http://twitter.com/ParallaxKen for some insider news.
  • HumanoidoHumanoido Posts: 5,770
    edited 2010-05-13 05:20
    It's good to get the full scoop from Ken Gracey, even if he's not permitted to mention the name, "Gremlin."

    If Erco had not bought out all the Penguins, we'd have waddles that could be sold with a wire/resistor repair kit...

    This could be the best option. It gets product back online and out the door, and the Penguin is a kit so adding a resistor and wire is ok.

    Post the instructions online for correcting the board so people know how to fix their recent purchases.

    In the future, I think the other issue, high cost of manufacturing, is resolvable by a simple redesign on the chassis (i.e. molded plastic or stock supplied pieces to eliminate machining), which could result in a lowered retail cost to reach the masses.

    If the boards must be repaired before sales, you may send the entire lot of 500 to me and I will volunteer my time to repair each one.

    For faster results, the PRS Penguin Robot Society is offering to organize a grass-roots effort to complete the modifications on all 500 boards.

    humanoido

    Post Edited (humanoido) : 5/13/2010 5:44:47 AM GMT
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2010-05-13 17:18
    Ebay them and you may get even more than the princely sum I offered. As humanoido says, the huddled masses would be willing to make some mods to save some coin. Some people will buy more than one and try making some mods of their own. I'm sure several interesting threads would be started on "Pimp Yo' Penguin".

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    ·"If you build it, they will come."
  • RobotWorkshopRobotWorkshop Posts: 2,307
    edited 2010-05-13 19:35
    It sounds like the board re-work would be pretty straightforward even for folks that aren't use to doing circuit board surgery. I somehow overlooked buying a Penguin kit to add to the robot collection and certainly wouldn't mind fixing the board.

    @Erco, If you have the remaining critters are you going to be selling any of them?

    Robert
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2010-05-13 20:18
    None here. I'm sure Ken can do much better than my offer, we're just poking fun here...

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    ·"If you build it, they will come."
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