Kamigami – The Customizable Origami Robot for Everyone!
Robotic vacuum cleaners, drones, driverless cars and multiple robots are now crowding the tech market and they are all fascinating. Now instead of learning robotics, one can have a bit of fun, with the latest Kamigami which is a light, affordable robot.
This is something for all the creative adolescents out there who want something fun and educational – Kamigami programmable robots. These robots look and move just like insects and require to be assembled before being used. Thanks to mobile applications for Android and iOS, Kamigami can connect via Bluetooth with the devices, so that the user can manoeuver it with the smartphone or tablet.
Kamigami – Custom Fun Robots
- Kamigami is like the art of making origami although the origin is US and not Japan.
- The robots move extremely fast when on the ground and can land on the feet, delivering a headstand too.
- They can be connected with Kamigami robots too and they are available in three colors: Musubi, Inari and Goki.
The Robot Makers
The Kamigami is the latest iteration of origami-inspired robot presented by Dash Robotics, that was initiated by a group of UC Berkeley-based Ph.D. engineers.
The team released its first robot in 2013 and now with several improvements on the original design, they have launched the better version.
This plastic composite robot can be built by hand but with refinements to the design, all that the user needs can be found in the box itself. No further tools are required and one would not need glue or tape to bind things together. The robot is laser-cut, and needs to be bound with rivets, which are included. It only takes an hour on an average for the assembling part.
The Intrinsic Parts of the Kamigami and its Design
The plastic composite material is patent pending and the composite is frictionless, and the robots do not need to expend energy to counter the friction of body parts. It is also highly durable and can withstand large falls without damage while the material itself would wear out in any way.
They are lightning-fast in their working and their USP lies in the fact that any user can build themselves. Additionally, since the robots are an affordable solution, they work as great educational tools for kids who want to venture into robotics, engineering, and biology and also for those who would want to further the development to new places.
The three character chassis designs make the robot a little more fun in appearance.
The Kamigami in Motion with App Control
- The mobile apps allow the user to program the robot using with a simple drag-and-drop system with for a sequence of actions assigned to the robot to perform.
- Since each robot features infrared emitters and detectors, they can communicate with each other, based on commands. Two robots can perform a greeting action, or follow each other as directed through the apps.
- Other sensors include a light sensor, a gyroscope and an accelerometer and helps the robots actions inspired by cockroaches with fast speeds.
- The robot can be charged in half an hour, with half an hour of play time.
- Kamigami’s movement is inspired by the insects and depends on the linkage that alternates the up and down motion. The circular motion of motors converts into an elliptical motion of legs that is similar enough to the movement of real animals.
The Pricing
The makers have raised more than $ 20,000 of the required 50,000 on a Kickstarter campaign recently. It is priced at $50, shipping in March 2016, and those opting to pay for it in January, will have to pay extra ten dollars. The delivery is restricted to US and Canada only. Classroom kits containing 10 robots are currently priced at $450 although the retail price is stuck at $69.
Keval Padia is the founder & CEO of Nimblechapps, a fast-growing mobile app development company. The current innovation and updates of the field lures him to express his views and thoughts on certain topics.