If you're looking for a cute robot pet for robotics coding and education, Petoi Nybble is a great choice for you! Nybble is so much more than just a dull robot pet cat. For many, it's their first entryway into the world of robotics and with its amazing STEM robot-building kit, getting a Petoi Nybble is a fantastic way to immerse yourself or any young students in a world of building, assembling and programming a robot.
Petoi programmable robot cat Nybble is a robotics kit that you can assemble, build, and program a robot cat. Whether you’re an educator, a parent, or a hobbyist, assembling and programming your Nybble robot cat will be an engaging experience and chances are you'll never forget those three plus hours you spent building, configuring, and calibrating the Arduino robot cat.
This guide will take you through the assembly, configuration process, programming options, and the fun you can have with your new robotic feline. In this article, we'll take you through the intricacies, right from the unboxing to getting your hardware fully set up for code. Make sure you read to the end as we'll also touch on how to get started with the programmable robot once it's built and take you through the various coding languages and robotics curriculums you can use! For this build, we will be using Petoi's Nybble smart Arduino robot cat. Once you read through this article, building your own Petoi Nybble will take only 3-4 hours.
Preparing for Assembly
Before you start assembling your Nybble, ensure you have all the components from your robot building kit. Once you open Petoi Nybble box, you'll take a first look at Nybble robot kit, the kit contains screwdrivers, wooden body pieces, frames, Ny board (for physical computing with Arduino) and everything else you may need to build your own robot. Familiarizing yourself with these parts will help streamline the assembly process. All you need is to make sure of is a neat and clean table or space to spread out the contents and start assembling them.Assembling the Frame
Begin by constructing the main frame of your Nybble. Start with the body parts, all you need to do is cut out the body parts from the wooden frame and ensure each piece fits together snugly. Nybble is designed as a screw-free interlocking puzzle frame, which means you don't need complicated equipment or mechanics to assemble the smart Arduino robot cat. The frame is the foundation for your DIY robot, so it's best to make sure that everything fits together well and snugly. Remember: Nybble's frame is made out of wood and it does not need screws or complex mechanics to assemble, which makes for a faster, smoother and easier assembly time (while the body frame is screwless, we do provide screws to attach servos, the tail, and some additional parts)
For a long in depth assembly POV video, click here.
The assembly in action
Wiring and Calibration
With the mechanical assembly complete, the next step is the wiring and preparing for the calibration. Proper wiring is essential for the functionality of your Nybble, allowing communication between its components. Read an in-depth wiring guide on our doc center here.
Once the wiring is complete, conduct a thorough check of all connections and components.
Introduction to Software
Now that you've assembled your Nybble robot kit, it's time to select the right software to unlock its full educational potential. Like computers run on operating systems such as Windows or MacOS, Nybble operates on a base system. For Nybble, you can use OpenCat, the open-source framework that powers all Petoi robots.
Here are the 2 most popular OSs:
- ROS, the Robot Operating System
- OpenCat, the open source Framework that powers Petoi Arduino robot dog Bittle and Arduino robot cat Nybble.
Uploading and Configuring Robotics Operating System (or firmware) for Petoi Bittle Robot Dog
Then you can get to configuring Nyboard, the brain(microcontroller) for Nybble. There are multiple ways to configure Nyboard, but the easiest is to just use Petoi Desktop app, here's a walkthrough for the same. (like above Arduino IDE can be used as well)
Ensure that the frame is stable and the wiring is organized. This attention to detail will enhance the performance of your Nybble and prevent potential issues during operation. Assembling Nybble DIY robot cat is a rewarding experience that combines creativity and technical skills. By following these steps, you can successfully build your functional Arduino robotic cat that showcases the capabilities of modern robotics.
Robot Cat Calibration
Calibrating a robot's joints ensures precise, consistent movement, compensates for mechanical variations, and prevents damage. It also optimizes performance, helping the robot operate efficiently and accurately.
Do not attach limbs or the tail before the first calibration is complete. This is because the servos need to be able to move freely before you attach the legs and the head/ tail. Just like you will see in the next step, there are multiple ways that can be used to calibrate the robot like using Petoi mobile app, Petoi desktop app or Arduino IDE. (By a rule of thumb, if you know the basics of programming, you can use Arduino IDE to calibrate the DIY robot, otherwise, using the desktop or mobile app for calibration is simple and easy to follow!)
Play with Your Nybble Robot
Once your robot cat is calibrated, the real fun begins! Playing with your Nybble is incredibly rewarding, as you get to enjoy the results of all your building and calibrating efforts. With its built-in controls, Nybble lets you explore different postures, behaviors, and gaits through Petoi Mobile App. You can easily command it to walk, trot, or perform skills like waving, boxing, or shaking hands with just a tap. The app even includes a "Turbo" mode for extra agility and stability. You can also create custom commands and chain multiple movements together for complex actions. Whether you make your robot cat sing, dance, navigate obstacles, or simply observe its motions, Nybble offers a fun, interactive way to explore robotics.
Just like you would play with a real cat, Nybble lifelike movements replicate a real pet cat:
Programming Your Nybble Coding Robot Cat
When it comes to programming your Nybble, there are several options catering to different skill levels. Here's a quick look at all the robotics programming options available for free on Petoi's website:Petoi Coding Blocks (Block-based Coding)
Petoi Coding Blocks offers a beginner-friendly, Scratch-like visual programming environment, perfect for young learners. With its drag-and-drop interface and vibrant blocks, it makes programming fun and easy to grasp. Used in educational robotics kits such as LEGO Mindstorms, Scratch empowers students to design and control robots with ease.
Disvoer Petoi's free block-based coding curriculum now. Keep in mind that the curriculum is designed for the Bittle robot dog, but the majority of it is compatible with all Petoi quadrupeds, including Nybble.
Petoi Skill Composer
Petoi offers the Skill Composer for anyone to visually design quadruped robotic skills by easily creating servo movements and exporting them for use in your code.
Free video tutorials are available to make learning even more accessible.
Python for Robotics Programming
Python is a versatile and beginner-friendly language popular in robotics. Its simple syntax makes it easy to learn, while a rich ecosystem of libraries, such as PyRobot and RobotPy, provides tools for various robotic applications for your robot projects. Python's vibrant community offers support, making it easier to find solutions and share ideas.
Explore these Python robotics projects now.
C++ for Robotics Programming with Arduino IDE
C++ is a highly efficient and performance-oriented language, making it ideal for real-time robotic applications. It is widely used across the industry and supports frameworks such as ROS and OpenCat, enabling developers to fully leverage its potential in robotics.
Learn to code robots in C++ with Petoi's free C++curriculum here. Note that the curriculum is made for Bittle robot dog, but most of it works with any Petoi quadruped, including Nybble.
Conclusion
Building your Nybble robot cat is a fulfilling experience that merges mechanical and electronic skills. Check the complete documentation for the most up to date instructions..
With programming options like Scratch, Python, and C++, you can explore the exciting world of robotics at your own pace. Enjoy your journey with your new robotic feline companion!
Interested in Petoi Nybble robot cat? Click on the image below to get yours today!
