Parallax - SumoBot Robot Kit Review

Introduction

After attending RoboGames 2010 and seeing the crowds surround the "Sumo Pits" we decided to review the popular Parallax SumoBot Robot Kit. At first glance many think of Sumo as something for children or beginners. However, this is entirely UNTRUE!

The competitors at RoboGames were from around the world competing with people from all walks of life. It is a fast paced and challenging game that requires precision and understand of the game.

The Parallax SumoBot Robot kit hands down is one of the easiest and quickest ways to get into the game of Sumo.

We have broken this review down similar to that of the StingRay Robot Kit Review. Meaning we are attempting to show you what it is like to work with the unit. From assembly to competing.

Overview

Build and program two high-quality SumoBot® Robots designed to wrestle in the mini-sumo competition ring (#27404), included in the kit)! The electronics consists of a surface-mounted BASIC Stamp® 2 module and an array of infrared sensors to detect your opponent and the edge of the Sumo Ring. Additional components include piezospeakers, resistors, pushbuttons and LEDs to build custom breadboard circuits for program mode selection and sensor state feedback. The hardware package includes black anodized aluminum chassis and scoops, servo motors, wheels, 4AA power packs (batteries not included) mounting standoffs, and screws for two complete SumoBot robots.

This kit comes with two printed texts. The SumoBot Manual has assembly instructions and test programs that take you from basic moves to one-on-one combat. Once you have your SumoBot robots up and running, give them a competitive edge and expand your skills by following the step-by-step activities in Applied Robotics with the SumoBot - an advanced text in our Stamps in Class series. Activities include friction analysis, self-calibrating sensors, memory optimization with multipurpose variables and a sensor flags register, and state-machine diagrams for sensor-based navigation. EEPROM data logging lets you record your robot's sensor and program states during a match, then display them afterward in the BASIC Stamp Editor's Debug Terminal - an excellent way to troubleshoot and analyze the performance of your program strategies.

Hold your wrestling matches on the durable 36 x 36 in. SumoBot Robot Competition Ring Poster, designed for use with the instructions and programs included in Applied Robotics with the SumoBot.

Kit Contents:

• Two SumoBot robots to assemble, with a development board with surface-mounted BASIC Stamp 2
• Infrared sensors, LEDs, piezospeakers, resistors, and pushbuttons
• SumoBot Manual with assembly and testing instructions
• Applied Robotics with the SumoBot Stamps in Class text
• Parallax USB to Serial (RS-232) Adapter with Cable
• Serial programming cable
• Parallax CD
• SumoBot Robot Competition Ring poster
• Screwdriver

Quick Review

Our aim here is to talk about the high level view of this robot kit. We have created a video that quickly gets you up to speed with the robot kit and makes everything clear.

Assembly and Construction

To make this part as easy and straight forward as possible we have recorded a multi-part step by step video of how to assembly and work with the Parallax SumoBot Robot kit.

Lets get started!

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Programming

The purpose of this section is to provide a quick overview of what it is like to write software for this robot kit. By far - this is one of the easiest robot kits we have built that uses a programming kit that is easy to learn and use. We highly recommend this kit for those of you who are starting out in robotics as well as programming.

After building the kit - we were up and running and programming within minutes. The manual that's included is simple to understand. Furthermore, there are plenty of examples both in digital and hard copy formats. Someone new to programming could quickly learn and move forward with this kit.

Support

Hands down Parallax offers superb support for all their products. They have a wealth of knowledge available online. One can easily find all the documentation including manual, technical specifications, how-to's and so on straight on their website. Furthermore, they have a very active forum with plenty of users using the same robot kit you find here. Lastly, they are a phone call a way eager and waiting to answer any questions or hear any concerns you may have.

We often find that robotic manufacturers have limited support. Not Parallax. They are ready to handle your calls and emails!!

Cost

The Parallax SumoBot robot kit is cost effective. The kit starts out at 159 USD. There is another kit that includes two SumoBots which costs a bit more. But for the price - you get everything you need to built and work with the robot. No additional hardware / software is required. All you will need is a computer to install software, program on and download the code to the sumo bot.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this is a great kit if you are just getting started. If you have limited building skills and programming skills then this is the kit for you. The kit is not scalable. However, it does what it was meant for. Furthermore, you can experiment with electronic components on the included bread board.

If you are new to electronics we suggest picking up a manual at Radio Shack on electronics. There is a 15 dollar manual at the shack that gives you a quick and easy introduction.

If you are new to programming we suggest reading up on the language used for this kit. The key data points to pay attention to are variables, flow control and data types. If you get this squared away you should be able to program whatever is required for this kit.

Lastly, Parallax is a great company. They have superb support available online as well as through the phone. Their online support includes forums and documentation. From our experience, Parallax has never let us down or left us in the dark with their components and kits. Everything is clear and easy to read and understand.

The only reason we gave this kit a lower score than a 5 is because of its scalability. But all in all - this kit is doing what it was supposed to do. Lastly, its THE starting point into robot kit building.

Where to buy?

DIYbin.com
Parallax

Don't forget to check out our tutorial on How To Build a Robot - Part 2 which features us building the SumoBot kit from Parallax.