Text | Bu Yan When we think of robots, images like the rusty but beloved Wall-E, the skillful white bots, or the tough characters from Terminator and Westworld come to mind. It's hard to tell what's real and what's just fiction. These portrayals have created a sci-fi world filled with futuristic and cool vibes. However, reality often falls short—what we idealize is full, but the real world is sharp and challenging. Looking at today’s robotic products, many are either too expensive and only seen in labs, out of reach for ordinary people, or they’re just toys wrapped in a “robot†concept, lacking any real functionality. For tech enthusiasts and developers, the high barriers in robotics make it difficult to get involved. The HEXA all-terrain programmable robot we're introducing today aims to offer a consumer-friendly platform for those interested in robotics. So, how does HEXA stand out? Let's take a closer look. Design First, let's look at the design of HEXA. Unlike most wheeled or crawling robots on the market, HEXA features a six-legged body that resembles a small crab (don’t worry, no steaming involved). Each leg has three servos, allowing flexible vertical and horizontal movements. This structure ensures excellent maneuverability, whether climbing stairs or navigating rough terrain. The head of HEXA can rotate 360 degrees without getting "stuck" or "twisted." The top of the head features an LED display showing the robot’s network status. HEXA weighs 1.75kg, stands 40cm in diameter, and is 15cm tall. It fits easily into a backpack when not in use. Its compact size lowers the barrier for beginners to explore robotics. Hardware Configuration On the front of HEXA, you’ll find its "face," which plays a key role in its ability to perceive the environment. Vincross has equipped HEXA with various sensors, including night vision cameras, laser range finders, infrared emitters, and accelerometers built into the body. If your needs go beyond the built-in sensors, you can open the white shell to access USB, audio input/output, GPIO, I²C, and other development interfaces. This allows for endless customization and experimentation. The bottom of the robot includes a power switch, wired charging port, and a wireless charging module. A full charge takes about 1.5 hours via wired connection and 2 hours wirelessly. With a standard battery life of 4 hours, HEXA can handle most outdoor tasks. Operating Experience Once you’ve explored the design and hardware, it's time to test it in action. Vincross has developed a unified app called HEXA App, which serves as the control center for the robot. After connecting, you'll be taken to the main interface. Vincross offers multiple software packages, similar to mobile apps, where each one is called a "Skill." The home screen looks like a mini smartphone interface, with preloaded skills such as Explore and Dance. The Explore skill lets you fully control HEXA. The live camera feed displays real-time video, while virtual joysticks and buttons allow you to adjust walking direction, gait, head movement, and more. Features like climbing stairs, drilling holes, and greeting can all be performed through this mode. Dance is more entertaining, featuring 17 leg moves and 5 head gestures. Users can combine them to create unique dance routines. The Skill Store in the HEXA App allows users to download additional functions. One example is a "Bullfight" skill that uses image recognition to simulate a bull's behavior when detecting red. Development Features As a development platform, HEXA excels in its flexibility. From walking on uneven terrain to built-in sensors and rich development interfaces, it supports a wide range of customizations. The Skills used to operate HEXA are designed to help users create their own applications and turn HEXA into a powerful robot development tool. HEXA runs on the MIND OS, a Linux-based system optimized for stability and performance. Vincross also provides a complete SDK and documentation, supporting Go language programming and integration with third-party libraries like ROS and OpenCV. Even if you don't know how to code, you can use the 3D visual simulator to design new actions by simply moving the mouse. This makes it easy for anyone to experiment with new behaviors for HEXA. Beyond the app, Vincross has built a full ecosystem around HEXA. The Skill Store not only lets users download skills but also upload and share their creations, encouraging collaboration among developers and enthusiasts. Conclusion Whether it's industry development or policy support, robots are set to become one of the hottest fields in 2017. As a next-generation computing platform, the robot industry needs collective effort to truly advance. HEXA provides a great opportunity for those looking to enter the field of robotics. Like iOS and Android, Vincross has built a complete ecosystem around HEXA, covering hardware, software, web services, and community development. This lowers the entry barrier for robotics, making it easier for people to explore without needing to understand complex mechanics or hardware. HEXA is priced at 6,999 yuan, making it accessible to consumers. Currently, it's available on Jingdong with a crowdfunding price starting at 3,499 yuan, offering a half-price discount until October 19. Follow the NetEase Smart official account (smartman163) for the latest AI industry reports. General Purpose Diode,General Purpose Rectifier Diode,General Purpose Schottky Diode,General Purpose Power Diode Shenzhen Kaixuanye Technology Co., Ltd. , https://www.icoilne.com
