OK then.. Instructions on how to make a Yellow Drum Machine :)

By fritsl
2008-06-23 18:53

EDIT:

OK - Here we go, Instructions on this page :) (Thanks for all the kind e-mails etc :)

A few months ago, I made a robot, and aparently hit a nerve; Yellow Drum Machine must by far be the most famous home made robot in the world by now.

Building it is really not that hard, and I thought more people would read the "Start here" (see top menu), and make many robots like it - but instead I get bombarded with "Can you make one for me" - mails.

Problem is; It uses many in-and outputs, and the code fills out the entire memory on the little chip, and there are so many different alterations that one can make - so it is really not that easy for me to make a walkthrough that absolute beginners can just create from.. Not in a weekend, however :)

It would be so easy if just Mattel would listen - but apparently it is very hard to get them toy companies up from the chairs - I have been knocking on doors for a couple of months - with zero outcome but a standard reply here and there, and a nice lady from California that is trying to push the idea to her boss.

But hype is (still, aparently) high, I think I get 10 mails a day regarding this project, and many asking me "how can I get one"

SO!

I am considering just making some sort of kit myself: Online instructions on where to find the parts, and how to build & code the basics.

Then, if you need help with the coding as well: For a fee (USD 75, perhaps?) people can buy a copy of my code (and various "fun modes" that I program), and for another fee (USD 25 ?) I will give support.

All support is online, free for everyone to read (but only given to those with a support-number), and all code is kindly asked to be kept with the person purchasing.

I think I am going for this one - any comments will be welcome.

I will be rude enough to make a special menu-item at the top of letsmakerobots.com: Yellow Drum Machine - but hey - I pay for hosting etc, and many people come in here because of this robot, so I guess it will be alright, and not spoil the rest of the website?

Please feel free to comment - If the idea is well accepted, (and still no Toy-Companies get moving) I will move on.

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By jklug80 @ Mon, 2008-06-23 19:23

I would sell a kit for twice

I would sell a kit for twice the cost of components (if not more). Include instructions so someone who has decent solder and glueing skills can put it together. Some parts are assembled already. If they need further help they pay for the assistance. Of course some people will have no soldering skill whatsoever and complain they were sold a kit that can't be made. I would spell it out VERY clearly that it requires soldering skill, assembly, and several hours of work and tweaking to get it right. The other problem is getting people to glue stuff in the right spot. If the bass drum isn't in the right spot it wont hit the ground. If the sticks are in the wrong spot it will get in the way of the sensor.

Just make sure you make enough profit to make it worth your while. you know you will get hit heavy with questions. Limit the number of kits sold per month and have the support expire 1-2 months from time of delivery. Spell out that if it breaks it isn't your fault or people will claim they were given cheap parts and want you to replace them for free.

By GobliZ @ Mon, 2008-06-23 20:12

Sounds like someone with

Sounds like someone with experience here :)

OT: Altough I personally wouldn't pay 75 USD for code, I think it is a good idea. Making money with something you really enjoy is the best.

Check out my robots - http://letsmakerobots.com/user/319/robots

By fritsl @ Mon, 2008-06-23 20:31

Problem is; I would have to

Problem is; I would have to risk to get stuck with a stock!

I am not going into selling any HW!

(Thanks for the input)

By GobliZ @ Mon, 2008-06-23 20:46

Maybe you can first get the

Maybe you can first get the orders for the kit from people, and then order the hw for the kit. And then after some time when things are running smootly and you get a lot of order you can build up a little stock. That way (if you only order, if someone ordered at you) you won't be stuck with a stock. Down side of this is that people have to wait longer for their kit. (you first have to order it, then wrap it up or something, put a nice manual with it, and then send it to the one who ordered it.)

I'm not sure but I think that if people learn the electronics and know how to build a YDM, they also (eventualy) will be smart enough to figure out the code I think. And the danger of this is that someone will publish your code, or something similair self made. And then all your hard effort will be for nothing, because people will then use this code.

Best thing would be if you found a toy company or something / someone who is willing to invest in this, and make a nice kit, including all hardware and a nice manual, CD with code etc. But I can imagine this is hard.

Either way, good luck with it!

Just my 50 cents.

By jklug80 @ Tue, 2008-06-24 03:20

If it were me (and

blank_pageIf it were me (and I drop on my knees and thank the Lord God Almighty that it isn't), I would buy stuff for 3 kits. If the kits don't sell you could use the parts for something else. Have the website state CLEARLY that the "KIT" takes 2-3 weeks to build and ship. Also have it keep track of your inventory (3 kits) and sell out (stop orders) when sold out. When you make and ship those 3 (jack the price up if they sell fast) and allow the website to sell a few more. Maybe even make a queue where people can be emailed when more are available. If you get a large number of people in the queue order in quantity (to make it cheaper on you, but keep your price point).

I can see this making you very busy so price it accordingly to make the supply demand curve in your favor ;)

EDIT: If you only sell the code you will get a LOT of people asking hwo to put it together because they have never made a plastic model much less a robot. This would be a lot of headaches. If you could make a kit with a few items they have to put together and (maybe already have the code on the chip) turn on you would spend more time putting parts together and less tiem telling someone how to solder, glue, and feed themselves.

By fritsl @ Tue, 2008-06-24 04:23

Thanks again.I like it to be

Thanks again.

I like it to be "fair and transperant". If I overprice for parts, people will see that I am overprizing. But my P&P and taxes etc would be too hard to look through, so no. I am NOT going to sell HW :)

If people want support from me, it is USD 25. ANd I help "in public", so the instructions get improved every time..

By exxxalonn1256 @ Tue, 2008-06-24 00:48

OMG

how much would one these kits cost? or a list of components and code? THANK YOU!

By SCgolfer7 @ Tue, 2008-06-24 07:24

This is a great idea

I am very interested in building robots, and yours is very intriguing to me, i would love to build one myself, but the code would be too much for my pea sized brain. So purchasing the code and seeing instructions on how to assemble would be very helpful!

By jgillick @ Tue, 2008-06-24 23:16

Great idea and not rude at all

This is a great idea and I don't think it's rude at all to want to sell the instructions and promote it on this site. I know first hand how much work it is to maintain a site which provides free information and services (http://mozmonkey.com). As much personal and emotional satisfaction that you get from helping others, nothing beats a little money for your hard work.

Here are some thoughts on kits. Don't do the stock and e-commerce yourself, find another site which already sells all the parts and have them sell the kit for you. You write the instructions and code and let them package and sell it. You could probably get a company like SparkFun or Pololu to do this for.

To keep the kit super easy you can download a circuit board design program and have a company fabricate the boards. This way all the parts that need to be soldered are already marked on the board. I've heard that this is pretty cheap and you could probably have the middle-man site (as mentioned above) do this for you.

But then again, this might not be the direction you want to take it. :)

To prevent turning into a support help desk where all you do is answer questions from people who don't "get it", create a forum so that other people can answer questions and collaborate.

Just a few thoughts. Either way, this is a great idea and I hope it works really well for you.

By fritsl @ Wed, 2008-06-25 08:01

Thanks :)I'd like to do some

Thanks :)

I'd like to do some colaboration with a company wrapping it all - but just as my knocking on doors to toy companies, I just get nothing back.

"They would not listen, they did not know how.. Perhaps they'll listen now!" :)

By jgillick @ Thu, 2008-08-21 00:24

Sparkfun

Sparkfun just posted that they are looking for things like this to sell: http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/tutorial_info.php?tutorials_id=92

Sounds like they would work with you on design, packaging, etc. Seems promising, if you want to go down that road.

By riiidaa @ Wed, 2008-07-09 07:27

Do it man, go for it I'd

Do it man, go for it I'd buy!

Even better, start it out as a home business and sell with online ordering the part kits in the way someone already suggested and offer a turn-key option for a heftier price tag for lazy bums and that could be the 2 fingers up to the toy companies to make them see you can do it without them and make yourself a mint!

RIIIDAA, of www.riiidaa.com