by David Geer
Contact the author at geercom@windstream.net
The Ultimate Buzz Lightyear
Programmable Robot
Ultimate Buzz Lightyear walks forward,
backwards, turns left and right, shoots an arm
laser, talks to his arm communicator, has over 100
sayings in the original Tim Allen voice, and turns
his head and blinks his eyes. What more could you
want in an action figure? Well, quite honestly,
Buzz has a whole lot more goin’ on.
The variety of speech and motion options
he has seems to go to infinity and beyond!
(Okay, maybe not beyond infinity, but he is
packed with lots of impressive features.) Buzz
can “give you 5,” speaks with synchronized lip
movement, has multi-direction motion detection,
obstacle avoidance, and an autonomous
roaming mode. These are just some of the
highlights sure to whet any roboticist’s appetite
for hacking!
Just like in the movies, Buzz believes he’s a
real Space Ranger that has crash-landed on a
strange planet. If you tell him he’s a toy, his
behavior changes. The “Space Ranger” and “Toy”
modes each offer their own unique set of phrases.
10 SERVO 03.2010
With seven motors, a
microprocessor, and multiple
sensors, your favorite Space
Ranger is no slouch among
modern, commercially
available robots.
There is also an interactive target game in
which you engage in an intergalactic battle with
Buzz using the included infrared remote control.
Buzz will be sure to tell you if your shot is a hit or
miss.
Seven powerful motors take care of the eye,
mouth, head, arm, waist, and leg movements.
There are 15 command buttons for the original
voice, actions, sound effects, animation, as well as
other aspects of the robot.
Buzz was a winner of the 2009 Honors Award
from the NAPPA (National Parenting Publications
Awards). He stands 16” tall and you’ll need about
14 batteries for full-function play.
Let’s go through some of the different options
a little more closely, to really see what the “buzz”
is all about.
Programming and Walking
Buzz is endowed with a programmable
puppeteer feature that records animated
movements and poses that you create. Press the
Programming button (the red button below the
Lightyear chest emblem) and listen for the
confirmation sound. Buzz will stand at attention
with his arms at his sides. This is where you then
move Buzz into the desired stance you want and
press the Programming button again. You’ll hear a
dual beep.
