How to build Poppy?

[esifts]

Hello all, I want to build a version of Poppy for myself as I am a robotics
hobbyist. But, as a layman, it would be a significant investment for me (both time and cost-wise). I just want to make sure that for the current build instructions, everything is in proper order so that my investment is properly utilized/not wasted due to any errors in such instructions. If not, when do you think the full and correct instructions for
Poppy 1.0 become available? Could I start using the hardware and software repositories currently available online to start building the Poppy robot or are the instructions currently incomplete? Also, which software should I use to open the hardware/electronics
design files? Could I use Replicator 2 to print all the 3D parts and are there any tutorials available online to show how to build it from scratch?

[Matthieu]

The last version available on the github repository is a old one, so please wait for the new release before beginning your work.

Yet the cost of the Poppy humanoid with MX motors seems to me, way too expensive to be invested by an individual. I would advice to make this project within a fablab which could handle (at least a part of) the cost.
Also we hope to create a cheaper version with AX motors, whose cost will be maybe more adapted to hobbyist:

Is it possible to replace Robotis actuators by cheaper ones?

We understand this issue but with cheap motions control and physical interactions will be very limited. Also the gait control will be maybe more difficult. That being said, there are indeed several applications people can explore without high-end motors. Especially when you are not interested by mechanics or control but rather by software or design. Fortunately, the way we designed the robot (modular and easy hackable) makes this kind of modification rather simple. It will of course require som…

The assembly instructions are under progress and will be distribute with the new release:

When will Poppy Humanoid 1.0 be released?

@ribas, @Patrick we played with your Poppy today and we were pleasantly surprised by the robot performances and behaviors, I think you will have a lot of fun with it Also, it appears we reached a development point where the Poppy humanoid is ready and satisfying. So @esifts, we will stop a 1.0 version for the end of the month.

If you want to start right now, you can use the simulator:

HowTo: Connect pypot to your simulated version of a Poppy humanoid in V-REP

In this documentation, I’ve written an IPython Notebook on how you can control a simulated Poppy Humanoid using a robot simulator. In more detail, in this tutorial you will: see how we can create a poppy humanoid in the V-REP simulator learn how we can read/send values to the motors track one or several Poppy’s parts 3D position and orientation (e.g. its head) write a simple primitive to design higher level behaviors (e.g. a dance motion) see how we can reset and tune the simulation [image] …

[esifts]

Thanks very much @Matthieu!

[esifts]

Hi @Matthieu,

Will the assembly instructions be simple enough for novices to understand, or would they be very technical, requiring prior knowledge of the functionality of Poppy’s electronics’ and mechanical parts? Also, would a simple user guide/operating manual be included as well? Let me know if I can help in any way.
Thanks.

[Matthieu]

I almost finished filming the assembly of Poppy Humanoid and I will make the first cut.
Then I will release all video files under Creative Common BY license so anyone can be free to remix/improve the assembly instruction.

I think it will be very accessible and simple enough for novices.

[esifts]

@Matthieu Good to hear that, thanks!