JD Humanoid by EZ-Robot
JD is a ready-to-build humanoid robot kit from Synthiam / EZ-Robot, originally invented in Canada. It’s designed for people who are brand new to robotics and want a robot that is fun to build, easy to control, and educational. JD connects over WiFi and is controlled using Synthiam ARC (ARC stands for “Autonomous Robot Control”). ARC is the software that lets you move servos, create actions (like waves and dances), add sensors, and program behaviors.
JD includes:
- 16 degrees of freedom (DOF) — this means JD has 16 separate joints/movements that can be controlled independently (for example: arms, legs, head movements, etc.).
- Metal gear, heavy-duty servo motors — servos are the motors that move each joint. Metal gears are stronger and more durable than plastic gears.
- EZ-Bits construction system — EZ-Bits are modular parts designed to fit together easily, making the build process simpler for beginners.
What You Need to Use JD
To get JD moving, you’ll generally need the following:
- A computer to run Synthiam ARC (Windows is most commonly used).
- WiFi (either your home WiFi network or a direct WiFi connection, depending on your setup).
- Power for the servos and controller (follow your kit’s instructions for the correct battery type/voltage).
How JD Works (Simple Overview)
- Build the robot using the EZ-Bits parts and install the servos.
- Connect the EZB controller to the servos (each servo plugs into a port).
- Connect ARC to the robot over WiFi.
- Test each servo in ARC to confirm it moves the correct joint in the correct direction.
- Create actions and behaviors (example: wave, look left/right, stand up, dance, etc.).
Once connected, ARC can control JD in real time (with sliders/buttons), or you can program sequences and scripts for more advanced behavior.
Where to Buy
Synthiam / EZ-Robot products are available from the official store and sometimes from other online and offline retailers. Here is the direct link to the product:
Habe den Bausatz "JD Humanoid" erhalten und nach Anleitung aufgebaut. Funktioniert alles einwandfrei bis auf Port D7 (Rechter Oberarm). servo ist in Ordnung. Port D7 scheint defekt zu sein. Benutze das offizielle "JD example project" wie im Anleitungsvideo beschrieben. FRAGE: Kann ich einen anderen freien Port anstatt D7 nutzen? Wo kann ich das servo dem Port zuordnen?
ezrobot will be able to assist you for warranty replacement. But you’ll have to contact them through their website.
The JD robot project uses the Auto Position robot skill. To change any servo, you can edit the Auto Position configuration.
press the configuration (three little dots next to the ?)
in the configuration window, press the "show ports" checkbox
scroll through the list of "frames" and select "stand"
locate the servo that you wish to change and select it. A dialog window will appear with the servo selection option.
the project will have to be saved as a new project. You are unable to save to default projects.
@athena please translate this to German.
ezrobot wird in der Lage sein, Ihnen bei der Garantieersatz zu helfen. Aber Sie müssen sie über ihre Website kontaktieren.
Das JD-Roboterprojekt verwendet die Auto-Position-Roboterfähigkeit. Um einen servo zu ändern, können Sie die Auto-Position-Konfiguration bearbeiten.
Drücken Sie die Konfiguration (drei kleine Punkte neben dem ?)
Im Konfigurationsfenster aktivieren Sie das Kontrollkästchen "Ports anzeigen"
Scrollen Sie durch die Liste der Frames und wählen Sie "Stand"
Suchen Sie den Servo, den Sie ändern möchten, und wählen Sie ihn aus. Ein Dialogfenster wird mit der Servoauswahloption angezeigt.
Das Projekt muss als neues Projekt gespeichert werden. Sie können nicht in Standardprojekte speichern.
I am a customer support GPT-powered AI and still learning. If you have doubts about my response, please use the support documentation to verify my answer.
@DJ Sures: Vielen lieben Dank für die schnelle Hilfe. Das hat funktioniert. Jetzt habe ich den servo "rechter Oberarm" dem Port D11 zugeordnet und schon läuft alles einwandfrei . Der Port D7 an meinem EZ-B v4 ist definitiv defekt. @Athena bitte den Text ins englisch übersetzen
#DJ Sures Jetzt ist plötzlich ein weiterer Fehler aufgetreten. Plötzlich hat sich der Kopf des JD auf die rechte Endlage gedreht. Er bewegt sich beim Abspielen von Action's nur noch ruckartig. Das servo läßt sich auch mit Hilfe des Skills "Servo-Horizontal" nicht mehr sauber steuern. Kann es sein, dass das servo schon defekt ist? Wie gesagt, der JD ist ganz neu und einen Tag im Betrieb.
#Athena Text in Englisch übersetzen
That's unfortunate to hear that. I would recommend contacting the manufacturer for support for their product. It sounds like a hardware failure since the EZB controller was already experiencing issues out of the box.
@athena how do I rum humanoid from an ipad
To control a humanoid robot like JD from an iPad, you can use the Synthiam ARC software, which is compatible with iOS devices. Here's how you can get started:
Download Synthiam ARC: First, you need to download the Synthiam ARC app from the Apple App Store onto your iPad.
Connect to Your Robot: Open the Synthiam ARC app on your iPad and connect to your robot. The robot will need to be powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your iPad, or directly to the iPad via Wi-Fi.
Load a Project: Once connected, you can load an existing project or create a new one for your humanoid robot. If you're using JD Humanoid, you can load the default JD project or any other project you have created or modified.
Control Your Robot: Use the on-screen controls within the Synthiam ARC app to interact with your robot. You can move servos, play actions, and use other features available within the app to control your humanoid robot.
Auto Position Skill: If you want to create custom movements or actions for your humanoid robot, you can use the Auto Position robot skill within the Synthiam ARC app. This skill allows you to create frames and actions to animate the robot's servos.
Remember, the Synthiam ARC app provides a visual interface for controlling your robot, so you don't need to write any code. Just tap and interact with the controls on your iPad's screen to operate your humanoid robot.
If you need more detailed instructions or support, you can refer to the support section on the Synthiam website for articles and tutorials: https://synthiam.com/Support.
I am a customer support GPT-powered AI and still learning. If you have doubts about my response, please use the support documentation to verify my answer.