In the rapidly evolving world of robotics, the Bittle X Open-source Bionic Robot Dog by Petoi stands out as a remarkable innovation, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the realm of robotic companionship.
Design and Build:
The first thing that captivates you about Bittle X is its sleek and futuristic design. Petoi has done an outstanding job in crafting a robot that mimics the movements and appearance of a real dog, with the rigid tough plastic and spring limb system being extremely impressive. The Bittle X is powered by a small power block, that is charged up by a simple USB-C or USB-A cord and has around an hour or so of charge when charged for 2 hours, which isn’t amazing.
The attention to detail in its construction is evident, from the flexible and durable joints to the realistic movements that you would see dogs at the park or on the streets doing every day, the Bittle X is a piece of engineering that really blows my mind. You can see why the Bittle X costs £259.99 with the advanced and highly technical parts.
Obviously, some movements are not so realistic, with the backflip-type move that the Bittle X uses to flip itself over when upside down, however the additions of the cheekier movements, such as the paw wave and the peeing action are not only realistic, but rather funny too. The dog’s head is reminiscent of a Daschund or Doberman, with a pointy face and an average-to-smaller body proportion, along with a flicked-up rubber tail. Combine this with the bright orange, blue and red colours, you get a fun looking robo-dog that has dog elements but doesn’t try too hard to look like an actual dog.
Open-source Platform:
One of the most commendable features of Bittle X is its open-source nature. Petoi has embraced the collaborative spirit of the pet-lover, robotics and robot-maker community by providing users with the ability to customize and modify the robot’s behaviour. This open architecture not only invites innovation, but also ensures that Bittle X can evolve with the community’s input, creating a truly dynamic and adaptive robotic companion.
Programming and Learning:
For enthusiasts and programmers, the Bittle X offers a fantastic platform to delve into robotics. With a user-friendly interface and extensive documentation, even those with minimal programming experience can start exploring the vast possibilities that Bittle presents. The learning curve is gradual, making it an excellent educational tool for both beginners and advanced users.
The dog can be controlled by the pretty basic remote control, although that control didn’t seem to be the most responsive, with the sensor being located next to the neck, which isn’t the easiest place to aim at when trying to use the controller.
Petoi App:
Users can opt for the Petoi App to control their Bittle X, with the app being operated by Bluetooth connection, meaning users won’t need to aim their controller at the sensor to control the dog. The app allows the user to control how the dog moves, with speed, movement type and direction. The app also has function buttons for other movements such as Sit, Stretch, Pee and Push Up.
On top of that, the app has a calibration system in case users feel their Bittle X’s limbs are out of tune or need resetting. The Bittle X should come out of the box ready to go though, so the calibration shouldn’t be needed, which is handy for those who don’t want to get all confused by technical settings.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Bittle X Open-source Bionic Robot Dog by Petoi is a testament to the potential of open-source robotics. Its combination of sophisticated design, programming versatility and community-driven development make it a standout product in the world of consumer robotics. Petoi has not only created a robotic pet but has opened the door to a new era of collaborative innovation.
For £259.99, it is steep in price, so I would keep that in mind when looking at buying it. However, for a robot of that is this advanced, it is an understandable price. The main downside is the 1 hour of battery when fully charged, which I feel is slightly low.
| Product Rating |
Design: 4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Features: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Petoi App: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Durability: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0
Charge and Play Time: 3.5 out of 5.0 stars
Overall ranking: 4.2 out of 5.0 stars – 4.2-star rating
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