TipToe has 6 legs, LED eyes with changeable color (RGB LEDs). The robot comes as a kit of parts which you assemble in about 30 minutes. Then download a free iPhone app, switch TipToe on and start walking. Forward, Backward and Turn motions are possible. Add on modules allow you to upgrade TipToe to add a speaker to have him beep sounds, or add a sonar sensor or temperature sensor for ranging.
TipToe can be controlled immediately using the iPhone app, but advanced users can reprogram for their own behaviors, including autonomous action.
TipToe is based on the RFduino, a bluetooth enabled Arduino compatible module. So reprogramming is easy using the Arduino interface if desired.
TipToe debuted at the Denver MiniMakerFaire on May 3rd and 4th at the National Western Complex. Watch a quick clip SaveFrom.net from that event.
What does TipToe do?
Walk – TipToe has quite a few features incorporated into an easy to use interface and a small hardware package. The most obvious is TipToe’s 6 legs which relate TipToe closer to organic creatures than typical wheeled robots. Because TipToe uses legs as apposed to wheels, TipToe can make its way across surfaces that might cause wheels to slip.
Change LED Color – TipToe can change its “eye” colors to any color in the rainbow. As the LED eyes are actually composed of Red, Green and Blue lights the eyes can create any color you’d like. Using eye color you can express different emotional states like red for anger, blue for fear, yellow for thinking, etc.
Temperature – TipToe can report back the ambient temperature.
PLUS MODEL ADDS…
Play Sounds – The included speaker can be used to beep, chirp, honk, etc. and even play simple melodies. Sound really helps to convey a particular robot condition and is a real crowd pleaser!
Sense Distance – The sonar sensor will report the distance from TipToe to a solid object. This information can be used to stop before hitting an obstacle.
Feature Set
Basic has
- 6 Legs
- Forward, Backward and Turn Walking Capability
- 2 adjustable color LED “eyes”
- Temperature Sensor
- iPhone App Control by Bluetooth 4.0
- Cool carapace-like upper body feature
- Sonar ranging sensor
- Sound module (speaker)
Plus, has the features of Basic, plus …
- TipToe has six legs, but uses a simple design with only three servo motors. There are other six legged walking robots available, but they use many more servo motors and cost $250 or more. TipToe starts at under $100 and includes a ready to run app. We have worked with robotic kits that offer software to operate them but have frequently found their software to be limited and sometimes not even functional. This can be a very discouraging experience and turn off many to robotics, especially young folk just starting out in robotics. The fully integrated hardware, firmware and software of TipToe solves this problem.
Was TipToe born overnight?
TipToe is not just a set of parts. It is a fully integrated system consisting of mechanical and electrical hardware, firmware on the electronics board and app software running on iOS devices. We have thoroughly tested TipToe, both as individual components and as a system. We have shown TipToe to people at shows like Robotics At The Hangar (Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum’s Annual Robotics Show) and the Denver Mini Maker Faire and listened to feedback from potential customers.
Above is a family photo of sorts, showing some of the evolution of TipToe with the final version at right.
Can my kids use TipToe?
How do I control TipToe?
Why legs?
Why the name TipToe?
What Can You Do With TipToe!
LEARN BY HAVING FUN
Learn how to assemble a kit of parts into something that isn’t just a kit of parts. TipToe requires hardware and electronics assembly and comes with interactive software.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL
Bored of teaching how to program yet another little car that your kids just can’t relate to? Try introducing TipToe the walking robot to your kids along with the iPhone interface and see what they can create.
CONTROL
Use an iPhone/iPad/iPod to control TipToe and explore the expressiveness of what is possible with 6 legs!
ROBOT DANCER
Try out your coordination and see if you can create a dance routine with the Dance Creator that really moves to the beat!
A MAKER’S DELIGHT
TipToe is built on the Arduino platform that can be directly programmed using the Arduino IDE.
CREATE A ROBOT RACE
Have two or more kids built robots and compete to see who’s the fastest crawler.
DO YOUR KIDS LIKE CREEPY CRAWLERS?
Well, TipToe is a lot less creepy … and cleaner. Enough said!
JUST HAVE FUN
Seriously, it’s a crawling robot … how cool is THAT!