Update (March 2008): The outer design of the working model is currently undergoing an improvement phase and further components are being integrated into the robot (like microphones, speakers, LEDs). However, the major ongoing effort is the preparation of a start-up company which will market the New4LR and further new robotic technologies later on in 2008.
The new four-legged robot will be available for purchase as a kit presumably for less than EUR 3.500 (w/o value added tax (VAT)). The robot comes with the ability to run either Linux or Windows CE as operating system and with a detailed tutorial how to assemble the robot as well as how to install, compile and execute the software.
Demo software in C++ will be provided for basic robot operation. As open API, we are providing the source code of the reprogrammable firmware for the microcontroller board, example code how to communicate with the controller board and example code how to access the camera and the mini display (running Linux and Windows CE). The firmware provides the possibility to set and read any of the provided values of the joint servo motors and parameters as well as to read the values of the gyros, accelerometer and IR distance sensors.
At extra cost an assembling service will be offered as well as a customization service for tailoring the robot to special needs.
The new robot will also comply with mandatory European safety requirements and will be certified with the 'CE' mark.
Information about how the robot can be ordered can be found on this web site later on in 2008. Sales and support will be worldwide.