Text | Bu Yan When we think about robots, images like the rusty but beloved Wall-E, or the sleek and skillful ones 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, the reality is often far from that idealized vision — as the old saying goes, "The ideal is full, but the reality is sharp." Looking at today’s robotic market, most products are either too expensive and only showcased in labs, out of reach for ordinary people, or they’re just toys dressed up as robots, 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 entering the robotics field. So, how does HEXA stand out? Let’s take a closer look. Design First, let's look at HEXA's appearance. Unlike typical wheeled or crawling robots, HEXA features a six-legged design, resembling a small crab at first glance (don’t worry, it doesn't steam). Each leg has three servos, allowing for 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 any issues, so you don't have to worry about it getting twisted or stiff. The top of the head has an LED display showing the connection status of HEXA. HEXA weighs 1.75kg, stands 40cm in diameter, and is 15cm tall. It can easily fit into a backpack when not in use. For beginners, this compact design lowers the barrier to entry, making it easier to experience robotics. Hardware Configuration Looking at the front of HEXA, we see 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 you need more flexibility, opening the white shell reveals USB, audio input/output, GPIO, I²C, and other secondary development interfaces. This allows for endless creative possibilities. The bottom of the robot includes a power switch, wired charging port, and a wireless charging module. A wired charge takes about 1.5 hours, while wireless takes 2 hours. With a standard battery life of 4 hours, HEXA is perfect for outdoor use. Operating Experience After covering the design and hardware, let's move on to the actual operation. Vincross has developed a unified app called HEXA App, which acts as a control terminal for the robot. After connecting, users enter the main interface to start using it. Vincross has implemented multiple software packages similar to mobile apps, where each function is referred to as a "Skill." The home screen looks like a mini smartphone interface, with two preloaded skills: Explore and Dance. The Explore skill allows full control over HEXA, with real-time camera feed. Virtual joysticks and buttons let you control walking direction, gait, head movement, camera mode, and sport mode. Features such as drilling, climbing stairs, and greetings can all be achieved through this program. Development Features As a development platform for tech enthusiasts, HEXA's strength lies in its robust development capabilities, including all-terrain movement, built-in sensors, and rich secondary development interfaces. The Skills used to operate HEXA are designed to help users create their own applications. HEXA runs on MIND OS, a Linux-based system optimized for stability and efficiency. Vincross also provides a complete SDK and documentation, supporting Go programming and integration with third-party libraries like ROS and OpenCV. If you can't code, there's still a 3D visual simulator that lets you design actions by simply moving the mouse. No coding required. Vincross has built a complete robotic ecosystem around HEXA, including a Skill Store where users can download or upload their own skills. This encourages collaboration and innovation within the robotics community. Conclusion With industry growth and policy support, robotics is set to become one of the hottest fields in 2017. As a next-gen computing platform, the robotics industry needs collective effort beyond individual contributions. HEXA offers a great opportunity for anyone looking to enter the field. Like iOS and Android, Vincross has built a full ecosystem around HEXA, combining hardware, software, web services, and a community of developers. This makes robotics more accessible, lowering the learning curve and enabling users to explore without needing deep technical knowledge. In terms of price, HEXA is available for 6,999 RMB, offering a truly consumer-level price point. Currently, it's on JD crowdfunding, starting at 3,499 RMB — a half-price discount until October 19. Follow the NetEase Smart Public 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
