LiPoly + extra brains?

[alex_r]

Hi,

Has any of the robo-hackers in the forum considered replacing the standard battery package with a
package containing a smaller LiPoly of the same capacitiy + some extra processing or IO circuitry occupying the remaining space and connected to Pleo e.g. via the debug port?

One obvious idea would be to place a wireless interface in there, similar to what AiboHack did with XBee, but without any extra hardware hanging under the belly of the beast...

Or a voice recognition box based e.g. on Sensory's RSC-4x chip or similar, probably with its own microphone to avoid brain surgery...

[pleoWhisperer]

The LiPoly battery Ugobe seems to be working on is (of course) same size as the existing battery (can't tell if they just added padding to a smaller battery). Anyone have contacts in Taiwan who could verify? It's listed at 7.4v 2800mAh

[Xasher]

I hope Ugobe has considered all the problems associated with using Lipoly batteries. The biggest one that comes to mind is the fact that if you drain Lipoly batteries below 3 amps you could ruin the battery. I think if they use Lipoly's they should have Pleos monitor the amount of amperage and have him shut down if it drops too low. The other is the nasty tendency for Lipoly's to explode and burn if they are damaged. I don't know if I would hand a child a Pleo with a Lipoly battery in it. Just some thoughts, it is the best alternative to the NIcads they are using now and Lipoly batteries are cheap.
I think the best idea for a battery for longevity would be a lead acid battery. They make small ones for childrens ride toys. A lead acid battery beats all others as far as how long they last, of course the weight of them can overide that. I think the best option is to get Pleo to recharge himself on his own, it wouldn't cut back on the down time but would allow users to deal with him as a pet.

[epheli]

yeah it would be best if pleo could just use foot pad replacments with small contacts on them and a small mat on the ground that he can walk to and recharge while in a sleep mode.i have thought about the li-poly thing too..it wouldnt be that hard..but as stated eairlier( if you drain a li-poly battery below 3 volts per-cell you will have problems)..i beleve they would be usuing most of pleo's battery tray if its supposedly 2800mah even at 12c discharge rate thats a pretty dence pack( its size will naturally be about the same as pleos current pack..at 20c rating it would'nt even come close to fitting)..