Three Alternatives to a Nao Robot

Do you want to build your own humanoid Nao robot? Humanoid robots projects are really cool, but also much more difficult to design and build. If you don't have enough money to get a Nao robot, here are the next best 3 solutions.

1- The soccer robot: Darwin-OP

In fact, the first alternative is Nao Nao robot is not cheaper than, but you can build yourself, do what you want, or buy the kit, if you prefer. Darwin-OP is called.
OP stands for Open Platform and the robot is both open source (to run popular Willow Garage ROS) and Open Hardware: You can get the plans for each sub-free on the net.
You can also directly Korean robotics company Robotis, which makes them popular Bioloid humanoid.
Darwin-OP has a better processor but a smaller number of sensors. And "faster and easier, and has been optimized to play soccer in RoboCup. Nao, however, was mainly as a research tool, and offers almost endless possibilities and a powerful software development choreographer. Vs The debate over Darwin's Nao -OP is hot, but not as important as robots are actually very different.
2 - Hobby Robot: Bioloid
Another Bioloid humanoid robot. What is cool with the Bioloid is that it costs much less or Not Darwin-OP, but may behave autonoumous.
While you can buy the kit for Bioloid humanoid, it is necessary to create a humanoid robot. The main feature of Bioloid, which are connected in series, can perform any kind of robot.
A graduate student at my university told me that he designed thesis Bioloid humanoid robot servants of his master, but according to his purpose. He loved that computers do not require wiring, which in itself is a big problem for the humanoid robot with 20 motors +.
3 - Create your own robot?
You should create your own robot Nao alternative to many other kits. To name a few, we have: The robot Kondo (Japan), Robonova, Manoi ... But it's always different when you actually build your own humanoid robot.
It's hard to be sure, the robots keep in mind the project: electronics (motor, motor controller, microcontroller, all wiring), mechanical parts (material, weight against the power not joint locking) and AI (balance, standard handling .)
All these problems are very complex, and if you have a lot of time and knowledge can help you. You form a team, as they do for RoboCup would be better. Once you do one, you can easily copy other people on the computer. And the feeling of satisfaction for creating this awesome robot is really great.