Evolution Robotics ER1
© 2002 Evolution Robotics
The guy who started the original Knowledge Adventure software company, Bill Gross, came up with the idea for this product. It's a serious robotics kit that uses a standard Windows-based laptop computer (not included in the kit) as a brain. There are two kits -- a second, called the Robot's Developer Kit, sells for $1500, and has more power and mechanical arms. This basic kit can understand spoken commands, take commands from a remote location (providing you have a wireless home network), project images with a web cam, play music, talk, and move around your house on its own. The kit snaps together, and includes a battery, a charger, a USB camera and two finished wheel assemblies with motors. This could be a fun family or classroom project.
$499, Win 98 or better laptop computer
Teaches: robotics, programming