SAN FRANCISCO, California (Reuters) — Six-legged robot HEXA isn’t simply a slightly creepy, over-sized insect that will scare your children.
It’s a highly adaptable robot open to developers, allowing them to practise their programming and coding skills, using simple commands.
Developed by Chinese start-up Vincross, the 4.7-inch-high robot has two three-axis accelerometers for balance and a built-in distance measuring sensor to avoid obstacles.
It also contains an infrared sensor and camera, complete with night vision mode.
Basic functions, like movement, will be built into the robot, allowing users to program it to perform more advanced functions, without the need for complex coding.
It can also be controlled by gestures, light, temperature, or signals from phones and computers. Hexa will accordingly walk, wave, and grab items.
Vincross’s Linux-based system called MIND is at the heart of operations, allowing users to program HEXA to respond to various stimuli.
The firm says it’s the first time individuals don’t need to know underlying hardware and complex mechanics to program a robot.
CEO Sun Tianqi told Reuters: “We actually want to let more people research with robots. When more ordinary people can enter this profession, the robot industry will have a healthy development.”
Users can share new programs they have created with other Hexa customers via its Skill Store.
Its Kickstarter funding campaign received more than double the $100,000 USD worth of pledges required.
Backers should begin receiving their Hexa models in February 2018.
