Thanks what about distance sensors are two needed? What about extra servos and extension blocks and cubes? Added yours to my list. Thanks Ron

I would recommend having a couple of extra lever servos on hand. The rest of the (probably excessive) verbiage below is why, along with a few other suggestions.

It depends on what you see yourself doing with the robot. Since you're just starting out with this whole thing, it will be a while before you will be to the point of experimenting with the basic JD body. Therefore, in the near term anyway, it would be mostly replacement parts you would be looking for. Some things to have on hand to keep the fun going in case parts go bad. For that I would recommend a couple of lever servos. If one of those binds and you don't notice it in time, they can burn out. And, of course, like anything else, they can just go bad, or be bad right out of the box.

There are two rotary servos in the body, but they rarely seem to go bad. So I doubt you will need them.

The EZB-4 (the brain) is protected from misuse in many ways, so it is a pretty reliable device. Still it can be damaged by over voltage to certain inputs. If you have someone willing to foot the bill for one of those that would be a "nice to have" component. OTOH, you can get a lot of extra servos and sensors for that same price.

The blocks are generally for experimenting with different configurations of the robot body. You are not likely to need any of those for a while yet. I would not consider them to be essential. However, they are cheap, so why not? I'm talking about the small cubes here. The longer ones are not needed until you're ready to do serious modifications. The only thing I can think of that you would need a block for now would be the Ultrasonic Distance Sensor.

Generally, you only need one distance sensor (if any). Usually it would go into the slot on JDs chest. As I said above, you will need one of the small blocks to easily mount it. Again, while fun and useful, it's not something you will need right away. You have a long (and fun) learning curve ahead of you yet just using what comes with the JD. Things like the distance sensor (ping sensor), while easy enough to add, can be tricky to actually get working with the robot itself. Especially with a JD bi-ped robot. It's much easier to use with a rolling robot. This is because JD does not turn easily. Nor does the body rotate. That makes using the sensor to sweep the area problematic. Not to mention physically avoiding obstacles in the first place. I suppose you could glue it to the top of his head. Then it could move about in all directions. Too bad there is not one built into the head. The camera is built in, however, and could also be used for obstacle avoidance. But that's an advanced sort of thing.

So a distance sensor is not as useful with a JD as with a wheeled robot or a robot like Six. Those types of robots are also more easily adapted to being a "platform" for mounting additional functions. For example something like adding a servo to cause the sensor to move in an arc, actually sweeping the area like radar.

the sensor comes on the backside in the middle between the legs, there you puch it in at the bottem chest.4 in 1 sensor

WOW! Thanks for all that info. Could JD use two distance sensors at one time and be mounted off slightly to both sides to watch sides and front? I worked for years with an AIBO ER7 and a ER1 Platform. The ER1 allowed for two distance sensors on the side to monitor front and back. What about the Orientation Sensor is this useful? It sounds like it would be. I see your pic and think your saying to mount a block with sensor or a distance in that spot no block. Thanks Ron

You can put as many Ultrasonic sensors on your robot as there is free digital ports... And if you run out of digital ports you have 8 analog ports for IR sensors.... Just buy the robot and all your questions will be answered and more....

The orientation sensor will tell JD whether he is standing, lying face down or lying on his back.... This will allow him to determine what's the best method of getting back up on his feet again if he should fall.... I guess you will have to determine if this will be a useful feature or not...

here is the video from 4 in 1 sensor.

4 in 1 sensor

Thanks for that Video. I am flying blind as my wife won't let me see JD until Christmas and FREAKIN' SANTA BRINGS HIM. These videos are a great help. Hope all is good by you in Belgium. We are very concerned for you and also ourselves in the USA with this ISIS thing. Ron

darticus

with the video comes also a big code. see post #13

code 4 in 1

yes the isis thing is bad.