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PENGUIN Fact or Fiction???? — Parallax Forums

PENGUIN Fact or Fiction????

ZaxZax Posts: 48
edited 2006-02-28 05:13 in Robotics
I, as well as many other DIE HARD, HARD CORE, Parallax Junkies, need a fix!!
You teased us with the info you posted a while back! And left us JONESING
for a Penguin of our verry own, have they been scraped due to final cost?????
I currently own 1 boe, 2 sumo, 1 toddler, and 1 hitec robonova 1,·I need to put a Penguin on my list! Love your bots, and your service its seconed to none!!!!!!!!!!smilewinkgrin.gif
P.S. love to see a Parallax Robo J1 competition bot!!!!

Post Edited (Zax) : 2/23/2006 3:21:01 AM GMT

Comments

  • John R.John R. Posts: 1,376
    edited 2006-02-23 15:35
    I think they are a tad busy right now with some propeller thingy. I'm not sure if this is for a boat or those R/C planes they play with, but it sure is creating a buzz smile.gif

    As has been noted in the previous thread (and I mention this not with mallice) the Penguin "limited production run" is primarily a "promotional" gift for the major distributors, with excess being made available to the public. As such, its priorities are relatively low, probably below those projects being "actively managed", and as a result, I would suggest that any guestimates on availability and price are a tad on the soft side. While I'm sure Parallax is not intending to "take a bath" on this run, it is not viewed as a "product" or as a "profit center".

    In other words, it is a fun "side job" that recieves attention when someone has some "free time".

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    John R.

    8 + 8 = 10
  • ForrestForrest Posts: 1,341
    edited 2006-02-23 18:04
    There's an article on the Penguin robot in the Parallax 2006 Catalog on page 59 - you can download it here www.parallax.com/dl/cat/Catalog2006.pdf

    Also, Ken Gracey has posted drawings so you can build your own Penguin at www.parallax.com/html_pages/robotics/penguin.asp
  • ZaxZax Posts: 48
    edited 2006-02-24 03:33
    Thanks Guys,
    I'm aware it's primarily a promotional gift for the major distributors. but was just hopeing, on some more updates to price and posible date of sales.
    Perhaps, I should become a distributor, LOL!!

    John What propeller thingy??????????
  • Bruce BatesBruce Bates Posts: 3,045
    edited 2006-02-24 05:43
    Zax -

    It's a brand new Parallax product. All of the official information released to date can be found here: http://www.parallax.com/propeller/

    Regards,

    Bruce Bates

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  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,392
    edited 2006-02-24 06:03
    Zax-

    It's for real - I promise! While you've been waiting we've been making some design improvements to Penguin's PCB. Now you have a USB mini-B for programming and a nice socket for RF/Ping additions, not to mention an HM55B compass which is no longer affected by the presence of servo motors. Not being an "official" Parallax product it has to be finished on our free time. In this case, these silly·RoHS requirements (new lead-free rules)·have caused a·delay·so we could make a few PCB updates to other products.

    And to answer your other question - it's really expensive to make but that won't stop us from making it available for general sale.·There was no value engineering on this product and it's all made in the USA.

    No release date on the kit, but I saw that the final prototype PCB was sent off today! That means I'll have pre-production units late next week.

    Ken Gracey
    Parallax, Inc.

    P.S. Propeller is part of the delay, too. Now I suppose you will want a Propeller chip on the Penguin. . .
  • quick questionquick question Posts: 50
    edited 2006-02-24 15:39
    Well my little girls will be glad to hear it is lead free.

    They have a stunting fear of lead based solder. cry.gif
  • ZaxZax Posts: 48
    edited 2006-02-25 03:50
    Thanks, Ken
    For the reply, but thank's more for the great amount of effort, you put in to such
    a small piece of hardware safisticated yet simple!!!!!!!!!
    Can't wait to see what else you guys conjour up!
  • ZaxZax Posts: 48
    edited 2006-02-25 04:14
    Thank's Bruce,
    Now that propeller looks POWERFUL!!!
    Hmmm, I wonder if Parallax Is considering building a ROBO ONE CLASS J COMPETITION
    bot around that!
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,392
    edited 2006-02-25 04:49
    Zax-

    I'll answer your question about Robo One. No, we are not currently planning a Robo One robot around Propeller. We see that Robo One designs have already been engineered really well, so we'll probably not jump into that market. Hitec did a great job with the Robonova design, too.

    Ken Gracey
    Parallax, Inc.
  • doggiedocdoggiedoc Posts: 2,241
    edited 2006-02-25 11:42
    I am glad to see others are "jonesing" over the penquin <grin>. I don't suppose these little critters need a good veterinarian's help to get to market, do they? I would gladly provide a free "physical exam" of one of the prototypes you have sitting around.

    LOL.

    Doc
  • ZaxZax Posts: 48
    edited 2006-02-27 00:32
    Hey Ken,

    What about something else, do you have something else in the works as far as new bots for the future???????????????
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,392
    edited 2006-02-27 01:28
    Hey Zax,

    No humanoids.

    I'm experimenting with gas-powered tracked robots. This is something I mentioned in another thread when I was considering a hydraulic proportionally-controlled transmission. Since then I've changed the design approach to use a mini 4-stroke connected to an automotive alternator with electric drive motors. Now I'm trying off-the-shelf hydrostatic drives for snowblowers. But the commercial potential of this is very limited - mostly just hobby at this point.

    What kind of robot do you have in mind?

    Ken
  • John R.John R. Posts: 1,376
    edited 2006-02-27 01:58
    Ken;

    As an iteresting point on the power source for your tracked explorer:

    A number of years ago (over 15) I was experimenting with different types of R/C land vehicles including 1/16 and 1/8 scale tracked and tired vehicles.

    I wanted gas/nitro power because I didn't want to deal with battery charging, as well as the high cost of battery power (in terms of weight and volume.

    I also started looking at hydraulic and even mechanical drives off internal combustion engines. I even had a reversable transmission worked out.

    In the end, I decided electric power made more sense. I could use battery for early development, and then replace the battery with a generator/alternator driven by an internal combustion engine, or even solor power (for very light vehicles). Control was a whole lot easier, and there were more options available.

    Heck, you could probably even develop a "hybrid" vehicle....


    Just food for thought.


    As far as commercial products, I'd like to see not so much "finished products" but some type of "erector set" type group of components to build with. Something like some of the Lynxmotion stuff, but bring in some of the R/C land and water based stuff so that something a little bigger and more mobile could easily be build. The current R/C chasis seem a bit "cartoonish" in terms of the stuff big enough to do some exploring with. (Monster trucks).

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    John R.

    8 + 8 = 10
  • ZaxZax Posts: 48
    edited 2006-02-28 05:13
    Hey Ken,
    Nothing In my mind!
    I was wondering If you had something on yours!!
    Just wondering if you had something on the drrawing boards thats all!!
    Thanks Ken,
    Rick
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