VSTONE, a Japanese robotics corporation that won the 2004 Robocup Open in Osaka, just today announced the December release of two new programmable hobby robots, the RB2000 and the beginner RB300. Earlier this year VSTONE released the tiny, programmable Robovie-I and followed up with the very cool RB1000 in August.
The new RB 2000 will be cheaper than the RB1000, is 11.5 inches tall, weighs about 2.5 lbs, and has thirteen moveable joints. It can move forward, backward, and side to side, along with being highly expandable with gyro sensors, gamepad control, USB ports, and voice commands. In addition to lots of acrobatics, ninja moves, and ball kicking, the RB2000 can balance remarkably well and swing on a crossbar!
There are video links from VSTONE here, here, and here
The RB300 is a beginners model and is an improvement over the Robovie-i. It’s also small at 1.2 lbs and and is 6.5 inches tall. It can walk forwards and backwards by wobbling on its center of gravity, kick, stand itself back up, and move its head left and right. Because it uses the same CPU board as the RB2000, it’s possible to build your own RB2000 with an extra kit in the future.
They’ll be available in early December.
Michael is CEO and Co-Founder of the 
