Petoi, known for its desk-sized interpretations of Boston Dynamics’ robotics, introduces the Petoi Quaddle robot dog, a palm-sized robot crafted using innovative engineering. Conceived by Dr. Rongzhong Li, who initially drew attention with his viral open-source robot cat, this new creation represents Petoi’s latest compact innovation following Nybble and Bittle. Petoi has distributed over 30,000 robots worldwide, all powered by its OpenCat framework, marking a significant milestone in educational and personal robotics.
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Ingenious Leg Movement with Minimal Components
The Quaddle maneuvers with agility using just four servos—half the number compared to its predecessor Bittle—made possible by Petoi’s MinDoF (Minimal Degrees of Freedom) leg design. This engineering marvel uses a spring-loaded linkage, allowing one motor to efficiently drive both the shoulder and knee joints. Weighing approximately six ounces, Quaddle is built for ease of assembly, snapping together without screws and even accommodating LEGO bricks on its back. The starting price of $179 offers an economical entry into robotics.
Each leg of the Quaddle relies on a single servo, supported by a spring and a four-bar linkage that mimics natural stride motions, a principle reminiscent of Chebyshev’s pioneering work in the 1870s. This innovative design enables it to cover a body length per second on flat surfaces and turn 90 degrees in a single pace. Additionally, Petoi has equipped Quaddle with miniature bearings on its feet, transforming legs into makeshift wheels, which let it glide effortlessly and achieve speeds of three body lengths per second.
Interactive Learning and Coding Advancements
The tiny robot offers a hands-on experience with the ability to learn tricks by direct physical manipulation. Users can manually position its legs to record new moves, offering a screen-free programming method. These recorded motions can then be refined using Petoi’s Skill Composer software and shared among the community. For tech enthusiasts, two ESP32-S3 chips allow sophisticated options like AI chat and smart home integration, with coding support spanning from drag-and-drop blocks to advanced Arduino C++ frameworks. A Raspberry Pi Zero can also be mounted for expanded capabilities.
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Customization and Power Options
Quaddle’s design embraces creativity, with compatibility for LEGO bricks and the option to download and print custom shells for those with 3D printing capabilities. Power is supplied by a Nokia-format phone battery, specifically the larger BL-10C variant, familiar from early 2000s Nokia phones. The larger BL-10C variant included provides up to 1.5 hours of operational time. Moreover, Quaddle can be charged via USB-C, allowing simultaneous coding and charging, perfect for extended programming efforts.
Available in three distinct versions—Builder PLUS ($144), Buddy ($175), and Scout ($215)—the Petoi Quaddle caters to a wide range of users, from casual hobbyists to those seeking advanced features like gesture, light, and distance sensors. As a servo-driven robot pet, delivery is set to begin in December, with prices considerably lower compared to Petoi’s existing Bittle X and other market competitors like Unitree’s Go2 and Sony’s Aibo. This remarkable robot exemplifies Petoi’s commitment to reducing complexity while maintaining performance, making advanced robotics accessible to everyone.
Source: yankodesign.com
Frequently asked questions
What is the Petoi Quaddle robot dog known for?
The Petoi Quaddle is a palm-sized robot dog crafted with innovative engineering, featuring agility with only four servos due to its Minimal Degrees of Freedom leg design and accommodating LEGO bricks on its back.
How does the Petoi Quaddle robot dog move?
The Quaddle maneuvers using a spring-loaded linkage that allows one motor to drive both the shoulder and knee joints, covering a body length per second on flat surfaces and turning 90 degrees in a single pace.
Which coding options does the Petoi Quaddle support?
The Quaddle supports drag-and-drop blocks to advanced Arduino C++ frameworks, and it can be expanded with a Raspberry Pi Zero for more capabilities, allowing interactive learning and coding advancements.
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