what robot platform?

[EastcoastSix13]

I am a computer science student who is looking to build his first robot this summer. I've always liked the aibo and would like to build something that I can program(c or java or something no lame visual basic) that i wont be limited in what it can do.

[airman00]

check out the 50 dollar robot tutorial on the main page of societyofrobots.com

that is a good place to being with the microcontroller and robotics. Then after you understand those concepts build a cool base a reuse the microcontroller board from the 50 dollar robot.

[JesseWelling]

Any thing using an AVR will make CS majors happy. So go with the 50 dollar robot, wait for the SOR Axon (recommended  ), or grab something from below:

SparkFun Electronics
New Micros, Inc.
Robostix

or use Google

[EastcoastSix13]

What is this SOR Axium? And what are the limitations of these robots? Would there be any advantage to say buying expensive humanoid robot kit?

[JesseWelling]

I see I misunderstood you. I thought you were looking for a development board to work with.

If you want to program in C on a humanoid type robot try Lynxmotion. Or maybe ask Jon Hylands about his work on Bioloids

[Admin]

There are many companies that sell just a chassis that you can mount any microcontroller on:
http://www.societyofrobots.com/robot_parts_list_misc.shtml

And its spelled 'Axon'

[benji]

i dont think someone would need a development board for a simple robot,, just buy a microcontroller ,,somthin like the atmega32 is great for a first robot

[radhoo]

regarding the hardware part, if you need to build a platform that can carry a heavy load, you might want to check this out:

http://www.societyofrobots.com/robotforum/index.php?topic=7435.msg56811#msg56811

cheers!