WowWee Rovio specific
NOTE: To use your Rovio Robodance over Skype, you need to have a Windows PC connected to your home network running Robodance 5. Since most broadband users have leave their PC on this is not a problem for most people.
Rovio over Skype!
Rovio can work over Skype using Skype's video call service. The benefits of using Skype are huge and include:
 Much easier hassle free setup for your Rovio
Eliminates the need to learn how to expose Rovio's ports to the Internet, a task known as port forwarding . Also eliminates the need for a Dynamic domain name service account and the accompanying Rovio setup required to use one. (The port forwarding operation and Dynamic domain name service account are necessary so you can access your Rovio from outside your home. With Robodance 5 and Skype, they are not required.)
Instead, all you need are two free Skype accounts and installing Skype is a very easy one click process. In some cases you may need to tell your Firewall to give Skype access to the Internet but that usually takes only a few seconds. In fact, most Firewall's will ask you if you want to give Skype access the first time you run it.
IMPORTANT!: If you want to find out if Rovio + Skype will work for you, run this simple test. Install Skype on a Windows PC at home, Windows 2000 or newer. Then, install Skype again on the remote device or find a device that can run Skype and use it for the test. Note the two Skype accounts will have to have different Skype names, one for the PC at home and one for the remote device. From a remote location, call in to your PC at home. If you can connect, you can use Robodance + Skype.
- High quality audio in both directions regardless of what browser you use
If your laptop or other web enabled device can run Skype's video call service, you can have audio in both directions. (Without Robodance, you need IE 6 or better to have audio support. Note, Rovio's audio sounds noticeably better over the Skype link than it does with IE's ActiveX control).
- Secure audio, video, and login
This makes using a public access WiFi point much safer since your login user name and password are not being transmitted in plain text to the WiFi access point, like it is without Robodance. Also, your video and audio are encrypted by Skype, along with your Skype login, so WiFi hackers that use "sniffers" can't eavesdrop on your connection or steal your login details. (Note, if you are using a Rovio account with administrative rights, which is a bad idea, the hacker/sniffer can log in to your Rovio, change your password, and lock you out of your own Rovio until you get home. You don't need to worry about that with Robodance since it uses Skype to provide the external connection and hides your Rovio connection behind it).
- Let others access your Rovio easily
Allowing others access to your Rovio is much easier. Currently you have to create addtional user accounts to allow others to access your Rovio, and delete those accounts or change the passwords to revoke that access when you need to. (There's nothing like having your drunk friend dial in to your Rovio at 4 in the morning when you're sound asleep!). With Robodance you just add or remove their Skype name to and from the authorized callers list. Note: By using Skype, direct access to the Rovio is hidden by Robodance and Skype, which acts as shields between you and the Web. You get all of the benefits of remote access, but without the risk of exposing your Rovio’s ports to the Web, as described above.
- “Skype only mode”
If the web enabled device you will use to log in to Rovio remotely is capable of running Skype's video call service, but can not run Robodance, then you can use "Skype only" mode. In this mode you control your Rovio using your voice and/or the number keys. This is made possible by Robodance 5's support for voice commands and DTMF recognition. (As an alternative see “Robodance remote mode” below
(Skype uses DTMF tones when you press the 0-9, # and ‘*’ keys).
More Features for Rovio in Robodance 5 (not Skype related)
- Docking status monitor
Robodance will alert you via E-mail if your Rovio is unable to Dock successfully and requires your attention.
- Scheduled patrol routes
Robodance can have your Rovio execute patrol routes at certain times of the day without your intervention (currently you have to call in to Rovio to execute them yourself via the web interface). This is good for patrol routes you set up with Rovio that have photographs taken at different waypoints on the route that are sent to you E-mail account.
- “Robodance remote mode”
If your remote device is a Windows PC, you can run a second copy of Robodance in remote mode, and use a complete web interface to control Rovio over Skype. Remember Robodance is free so running additional copies costs you nothing extra.
Support Added for Many New Robots
Here's a list of robots that were added to Robodance 5's supported robot list:
- Rovio
(Note: Rovio does not require any additional hardware like an infrared transmitter to work with Robodance. The ones below do).
- Femisapien - WowWee’s first female robot ever and an amazing dancer!
- Tri-Bot - Omnidirectional 3 wheel base, tells jokes, and plays games with you
- Wrex The Dawg - a cartoon character come to life in robot dog form
- Roboboa - WowWee’s big, bad, robot snake
- U-Command Wall-E - Your own little planet saving trash compacting robot
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This adds to the already long list of the robots supported by Robodance which currently includes: Robosapien, Robosapien V2, i-SOBOT, Robopet, Roboraptor, Roboreptile, Roboquad and Animatronics T-Rex.
General improvements
Upgraded Script Editor
- Cut and Paste of Command Blocks
The script editor now has full cut and paste facilities allowing you to cut and paste Command Blocks between scripts and between different parts of a script.
- Scheduled Scripts
You can attach a time of day to a Script and Robodance will execute that Script when the time comes.
Fresh New Interface
Robodance's user interface has been redesigned. The individual overlapping module screens are gone and have been replaced with a convenient new Tabbed design, just like your web browser.
Roboremote Support
Robodance 5 will have support for WowWee's inexpensive and versatile new infrared transmitter, the Roboremote. Robodance is free but you'll have to get Roboremote from a third party. (Please do not buy a Roboremote until Robodance 5 is officially released just to be safe!)
Previous features
Remember, this big list of new features is in addition to Robodance's already lengthy list of features which include:
- Full Voice Control of any supported robot.
- Full control of your robot using the Nintendo Wii Remote (WiiMote) including the use of arm gestures to control the i-SOBOT robot. Requires a WiiMote and a Bluetooth transceiver, but the Wii console is not required.
- Advanced scripting features.
- And much more!
Estimated Release Date
People who are not already on the Robodance newsletter list and want to know when Robodance 5 is available, should subscribe to the Robodance newsletter.
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