For Building DIY Droids, It Helps to Live In Japan

destinyland writes "Want to build a robot this summer? 'Robot-loving Japanese are tinkering with screwdrivers and motors instead of heading to the beach,' and this article identifies the stores and sites serving robot hobbyists. Several sites are actually selling leftover industrial robots, but there's a variety of smaller-size robot vendors, from Tokyo's Vstone Robot Center to Carl's Electronics in Oakland (which sells sound-activated 'Hydradzoids' and solar-powered robots that crawl). Hasbro even sells their own functioning R2-D2 droid with real sonar navigation and a 'voice recognition response module.'"

Wow! A Real Life R2D2!

[eldavojohn]

Hasbro even sells their own functioning R2-D2 droid with real sonar navigation and a 'voice recognition response module.

And at a hieght of only 15", it's as close to the original as you're going to get without needing your very own circus and cabaret performer [wikipedia.org] to power it!

Kenny Baker says, "This tin can is #$^!ing hot in Tunisia ... oops, I mean ... *boo-boop bee-boo-doop*!"

No thanks

[sakdoctor]

Those aren't the droids I was looking for.

Oh Sure ...

[eldavojohn]

Everyone's all excited about R2D2 droid but when you build a robotic wookie that challenges you to a game of chess and then rips your arms off when you beat him, you've gone too far!

Re:In the US ...

[Daravon]

They can check my credentials all they want. They just have to fight their way past my legions of lesser robots, my eight larger robots (they command other robots, so I'll call them Robot Masters). At that point, they'll be inside the shop, and they'll have to fight a giant robot, copies of the first eight robot masters, and then me in my robot suit.

Only then, can justice be served!

Wait

[arizwebfoot]

I'll wait until they come up with replicators, then I'll worry.

On the other hand, were they to come up with a full sized Number 6, I might have to run right out and get one.

Re:No thanks

[PGOER]

If the japanese start assembling C3PO robots I say we attack. If the start assembling Jarjar Binx characters, I say we should nuke em.

Re:No thanks

[plut4rch]

Guess you'll have to move along.

Re:No thanks

[Yvan256]

These aren't the droids you were looking for.

Buy American

[catmistake]

Sure, the Japanese robots are less expensive, get better milage, but they use cheaper parts, break down more, and repairs are expensive because American mechanics' hands aren't small enough. Japanese robots have no style, no luxury models. I'll take a robot, but make mine American... might cost more upfront, might get crappy miliage, but at least you can't blame me for handing my country over to a bunch of small fisted binars!