Petoi Robot Dog Bittle

Petoi Bittle is without a doubt the best robotic kit that I have seen. It is elegant engineering. Bittle does not show any signs of weaknesses or cost cutting. The build, quality and cosmetics are excellent and more importantly it is extensible. From a shipping standpoint the product packaging is excellent with all items held firmly in place. Startup and assembly instructions and supporting videos are available online. Calibrating the legs was also well documented and easy. The kit includes everything you need as well as an IR Remote, and a spare relay, spring and boot. The IR Remote is great to get started without a PC or Phone. My unit started up and was able to perform all the pre-programmed functions without a problem. Code is available online that allows you to control Bittle from your PC or Phone. Both sets of code downloaded and worked properly. I purchased the Intelligent Camera Module with Bittle, it was also well documented, and I was able to get it up and functioning in minutes. I was even able to 3D Print a stand from a file provided by Petoi. Bittle's software is open source, and it is supported by a lot of documentation and additional sample code. I was looking for a robotic platform that I could extend and Bittle has exceeded my expectations in every area. Adding or changing Bittle's functionality requires a knowledge of Arduino and coding, but the good news is there is a lot of information on Petoi Camp that will help get you started. Additionally, Bittle supports a Scratch like language to help kids and non-programmers get started. If you are starting a STEM class or a project to teach your kids robotics, Bittle would be an excellent choice, they even provide a link to download a suggested curriculum. The only part of Bittle that I wasn't impressed with was the head and sensor mounting. I think a Nybble style head with two axes of movement would be better especially if a camera could be integrated with the ultrasonic sensor. For anyone looking for a quadruped robot I would highly suggest you consider Bittle.

Excellent solution to initiate about robotics from 7 to 99 years old

I just can't put it down. I purchased the pre-built version, and am glad that I did. Not much extra cost for them to put it together. I'm sure that some like the building experience, but not me. It can be used right out of the box with an Android (or iPhone?) app or by using the IR remote.

There is a built-in gyro (which can be disabled), which triggers a recovery motion if Bittle is upside down. There is add-on hardware, my favorite of which is the Mu Vision Sensor camera. The camera can be set to stream video, so you see what it sees. Bittle itself can also be setup for WiFi, so that you can control him with anything that can run a web browser. It can use Bluetooth and USB out of the box.

But the real fun starts when writing code for it. The open-source software means that you can rewrite any part of the code you want. There are libraries online for further enhancements. You can add "instincts" or edit already written "instincts," which are new positions or motions, like walk, trot, run (forward, backward, and left, right), sit, pee, pushups, look around, etc. It's fairly easy to add instincts, although designing them can take thought and experimentation - especially the gaits (as opposed to behaviors and postures).

That's not to say that you will be programming Bittle to climb steps on the first day (unless you're far more experienced than I). Plenty of patience and research is required in order to do anything fancy. There is significant online documentation, but you need to put the instruction pieces together and understand how it all works. You can code in Python, C++, and some visual language that I have yet to try (but might be great for beginner programmers). I'm using the recommended Arduino IDE (free for Windows, macOS and Linux), which seems to have a large following, along with the availability of more open-source software. As the headline states, the possibilities are endless with this ingenious robot - all depending on how much effort you want to expend in research and/or your own programming. Unlike toys with built-in actions and nothing else, your imagination is the limiting factor.

Cons: My Bittle's head doesn't have a great physical connection, so it can get disconnected when he falls over. I have been leaving the head off when experimenting. The optional camera is an odd physical setup, mounted in Bittle's mouth. I may try to come up with a different design with a 3d printer, but that could be a project on its own. I have yet to figure out how to connect a Raspberry Pi (not a lot of documentation), but hope to be able to do that at some point. I'm guessing that it will require a bit of soldering. I would like to be able to purchase each Bittle part separately (the plastic body parts, motors, springs, screws, main board, add-on cards, battery, etc.). The online documentation is extensive, although there are portions that are unclear to me or not 100% comprehensive/complete. Maybe it's just my USB cables, but I am concerned that plugging/unplugging the battery charger will wear out the cable that is placed so close to the charging port. Also, USB-C might be better than Micro USB these days.

Overall, Bittle is a blast. If you like tinkering, coding, and learning, you won't be disappointed or bored. But even if you don't wish to become a programmer, it is fun to play with right out of the box.