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[[File:Scamp-Leg-Raised.jpg|right|400px|Vorpal VH12 Combat Hexapod Robot]]
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The Vorpal Combat Hexapod is a low cost, easy to build hexapod that includes a Bluetooth gamepad. All the structural parts are 3D printed, allowing you to modify the design easily, reprint parts when needed, and save money (if you have a 3D printer) by only purchasing the electronic parts.
 
The Vorpal Combat Hexapod is a low cost, easy to build hexapod that includes a Bluetooth gamepad. All the structural parts are 3D printed, allowing you to modify the design easily, reprint parts when needed, and save money (if you have a 3D printer) by only purchasing the electronic parts.
 
Quick Links:
 
* [[Vorpal Combat Hexapod Building Instructions]]
 
* [[Vorpal Combat Hexapod Battery Recommendations]]
 
* [[Vorpal Combat Hexapod User Guide]]
 
* [[Vorpal Combat Hexapod Gamepad User Guide]]
 
* [[Vorpal Combat Hexapod Scratch Programming]]
 
* [[Vorpal Combat Hexapod Games and Activities]]
 
<youtube width=600>6A77AAFdadQ|Vorpal Combat Hexapod</youtube> 
 
  
 
==What can it do?==
 
==What can it do?==
  
 
This robot is made for educational fun through friendly competition and there are endless ways it can be used by both the hobbyist and teachers.
 
This robot is made for educational fun through friendly competition and there are endless ways it can be used by both the hobbyist and teachers.
 
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The Vorpal Hexapod has these features:
The Vorpal Combat Hexapod has these features:
 
 
 
 
* 12 degrees of freedom using all-metal gear mini servos.
 
* 12 degrees of freedom using all-metal gear mini servos.
 
* Bluetooth wireless control using the custom Vorpal Button Gamepad
 
* Bluetooth wireless control using the custom Vorpal Button Gamepad
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* The gamepad has many preprogrammed functions for walking, dancing, and fighting style competitions.
 
* The gamepad has many preprogrammed functions for walking, dancing, and fighting style competitions.
 
* A unique feature allows gamepad functions to be recorded and replayed. For example, record a dancing session, then rewind and replay it all from the gamepad!
 
* A unique feature allows gamepad functions to be recorded and replayed. For example, record a dancing session, then rewind and replay it all from the gamepad!
* The gamepad exposes the internal Arduino Nano's USB port, allowing you to tether the gamepad to your computer and control the hexapod using your own code. Scratch programming is supported using this gamepad tether method, which will work from both Mac and PC platforms. Scratch programs can both wirelessly control the robot and read sensor data from optional sensors on the robot.
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* MIT Scratch Programming!
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**Tether the gamepad to your computer via USB and control the hexapod using your own Scratch code.
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**Scratch programs can both wirelessly control the robot and read sensor data from optional sensors on the robot.
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* Tremendous Expandability! The built in hardware and sensor expansion ports guarantee nearly unlimited expandability. Besides the accessories we already have, we are working on tons of new cool extensions, and you can also create your own using a 3D printer and standard, inexpensive sensors and other hardware.
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<br clear=all>
  
 
==How Do I Get it/Build it?==
 
==How Do I Get it/Build it?==
The Vorpal Combat Hexapod will launch on or around September 10, 2017! Check back here for details.
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{{float_box|{{VCH Quick Links}} }}
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The Vorpal Hexapod is now live on Kickstarter! [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1245821645/the-vorpal-combat-hexapod Click here to check out the project page now!]
  
You have several options for building the Vorpal Combat Hexapod:
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You have several options for buying the Vorpal Hexapod:
  
 
* Buy it completely built and ready to use
 
* Buy it completely built and ready to use
* Buy all the parts, including the structural parts, and assemble yourself
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* Buy all the parts, including the structural parts, and assemble yourself (assembly time is about 90 minutes)
 
* Buy just the electronics, and you 3D print the free STL files for the structural parts, then assemble yourself
 
* Buy just the electronics, and you 3D print the free STL files for the structural parts, then assemble yourself
  
The first option is the most convenient (and the most expensive, although the Vorpal Combat Hexapod is still the least expensive complete Hexapod on the market).
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The first option is the most convenient (and the most expensive, although the Vorpal Hexapod is still among the least expensive complete Hexapods on the market).
  
 
The second and third options are a lot more educational and fun, and will allow you to explore making your own enhancements. If you have a 3D printer, the third option is the most economical of all, because you can print all the parts you need for only about $10 worth of filament.
 
The second and third options are a lot more educational and fun, and will allow you to explore making your own enhancements. If you have a 3D printer, the third option is the most economical of all, because you can print all the parts you need for only about $10 worth of filament.
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No soldering is necessary when building the kit. Age for build: 6th grade through adult. Adult supervision is suggested for students who are younger than high school level.
  
 
See [[Vorpal Hexapod Purchase]] for information on where to order parts or fully built hexapods.
 
See [[Vorpal Hexapod Purchase]] for information on where to order parts or fully built hexapods.
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[[File:Scamp-Leg-Raised.jpg|left|350px|Vorpal VH12 Combat Hexapod Robot]]

Revision as of 05:31, 27 October 2017

The Vorpal Combat Hexapod is a low cost, easy to build hexapod that includes a Bluetooth gamepad. All the structural parts are 3D printed, allowing you to modify the design easily, reprint parts when needed, and save money (if you have a 3D printer) by only purchasing the electronic parts.

What can it do?

This robot is made for educational fun through friendly competition and there are endless ways it can be used by both the hobbyist and teachers. The Vorpal Hexapod has these features:

  • 12 degrees of freedom using all-metal gear mini servos.
  • Bluetooth wireless control using the custom Vorpal Button Gamepad
  • Arduino open source hardware used on both the gamepad and hexapod
  • The gamepad has many preprogrammed functions for walking, dancing, and fighting style competitions.
  • A unique feature allows gamepad functions to be recorded and replayed. For example, record a dancing session, then rewind and replay it all from the gamepad!
  • MIT Scratch Programming!
    • Tether the gamepad to your computer via USB and control the hexapod using your own Scratch code.
    • Scratch programs can both wirelessly control the robot and read sensor data from optional sensors on the robot.
  • Tremendous Expandability! The built in hardware and sensor expansion ports guarantee nearly unlimited expandability. Besides the accessories we already have, we are working on tons of new cool extensions, and you can also create your own using a 3D printer and standard, inexpensive sensors and other hardware.


How Do I Get it/Build it?

Vorpal Hexapod Quick Links:

The Vorpal Hexapod is now live on Kickstarter! Click here to check out the project page now!

You have several options for buying the Vorpal Hexapod:

  • Buy it completely built and ready to use
  • Buy all the parts, including the structural parts, and assemble yourself (assembly time is about 90 minutes)
  • Buy just the electronics, and you 3D print the free STL files for the structural parts, then assemble yourself

The first option is the most convenient (and the most expensive, although the Vorpal Hexapod is still among the least expensive complete Hexapods on the market).

The second and third options are a lot more educational and fun, and will allow you to explore making your own enhancements. If you have a 3D printer, the third option is the most economical of all, because you can print all the parts you need for only about $10 worth of filament.

No soldering is necessary when building the kit. Age for build: 6th grade through adult. Adult supervision is suggested for students who are younger than high school level.

See Vorpal Hexapod Purchase for information on where to order parts or fully built hexapods.

Vorpal VH12 Combat Hexapod Robot