👍 Recommendation A solid 4.3 out of 5. The SunFounder GalaxyRVR is a versatile and customizable robot that can be programmed to perform a wide range of tasks, from simple movements to complex behaviors. The GalaxyRVR is an excellent choice for anyone who is interested in learning about robotics and programming, and it is suitable for both beginners and experienced enthusiasts. Some extra testing needs to go into making the Wifi connectiion easier to setup, and more reliable. 👍 Recommendation SunFounder GalaxyRVR Review Features & Functionality Whats in the box User instructions & Documentation Ease of use Availability Asthetics Price Build Quality Packaging Environmental Summary Review Score SunFounder GalaxyRVR Review The SunFounder GalaxyRVR is a robot kit that is designed to be an educational tool for learning about robotics and programming. It is a versatile and customizable robot that can be programmed to perform a wide range of tasks, from simple movements to complex behaviors. The GalaxyRVR is an excellent choice for anyone who is interested in learning about robotics and programming, and it is suitable for both beginners and experienced enthusiasts. Features & Functionality The GalaxyRVR features: 6 individual TT motors 6 wheels 2 infrared sensors 1 ultrasonic sensor 1 Wifi camera for POV control Smartphone app for remote control Arduino Uno R3 microcontroller LiPo Battery Solar panel for recharging RGB Led underlighting The robot has several modes of operation and functionality, including: Remote control via smartphone app Autonomous mode using the ultrasonic sensor Camera mode using the Wifi camera Obstacle avoidance mode using the infrared sensors and ultrasonic sensor RGB LED lighting control Whats in the box The box feaures 3 main boxes of components: Aluminum Chassis, wheels and motors Electronics and sensors, Solar panel and battery Tools & Screws The electronics include: SunFounder (Arduino Uno R3 clone) Board GalaxyRVR Shield ESP32 CAM Camera Adapter Board Ultrasonic Module 2x IR Obstacle Avoidcance Module RGB LEDs Strips Servo (for camera tilt) 6x TT Motors Solar Panel Lipo Battery Pack User instructions & Documentation The kit includes easy to understand instructions with clear diagrams and explanations. There is also a comprehensive online resource with tutorials and example code to help you get started with programming the GalaxyRVR. Videos are also provided to help with assembly and setup. Ease of use Assembling the robot is a couple of hours of fun, and easy to do with the provided instructions and tools. The programming is done using the Arduino IDE, and the SunFounder website provides example code to get you started. I did have some issues with the wifi connectivity - As this is used to connect to the SmartPhone App, I wasn’t able to test this aspect of the robot. Availability The GalaxyRVR is available from the SunFounder website and from Amazon for around $129.99. Asthetics The robot looks great, with the underlighting and camera giving it a futuristic look. The aluminum chassis is sturdy and well made. The unusual wheel design is a nice touch too, making it look like a Mars rover and able to traverse rough terrain. Price $129.99, which includes the Arduino Uno R3, the GalaxyRVR shield, and a wide range of sensors and motors, is a great price & value for a robot kit of this quality. Build Quality The overall build quality is excellent with a mixure of aluminum and plastic parts. The motors are strong and the wheels are well made (though I did have to replace one of the parts with a 3d printed replacement as it had the wrong hole in it for the wheel; I contacted SunFounder about this). The electronics are well made and the custom PCB and connectors make it easy to assemble. Packaging The box and internal boxes are all made from recyclble cardboard, however there are a lot of different types of plastic bags containing the various sizes of screws and components. Environmental The solar panel is a nice touch, and the inclusion of a lipo battery is a great addition. The robot is designed to be used outdoors, and the solar panel can be used to recharge the battery. Summary Review Score Below is the Kevs Robots review framework. First, each product is scored out of 5 for each of the 9 areas. The total score is then calculated by adding the scores for each area and dividing by 9. The total score is then rounded to the nearest whole number. Scoring area 1 2 3 4 5 Price Very Expensive, verging on not worth it Expensive, but worth it for the value add Affordable, similar in price to competitors Cheap / great value for the parts and features Free / Very low cost Ease of use Hard to use, complex operations requiring multipe steps Many steps, some of which as complex. Some steps to construct or operate, some of which are complex Few steps, simple to do Very easy to use / use is obvious and clear Functionality Very little innovation or usefulness Does less then you’d expect, but still useful Practice, does what you expect but no more Quite a few innovative functions, does more than you’d expect Amazing features & innovation, industry leading Availability Very difficult to get hold of any variation or version Little available; some variations or versions are available Available in some countries and stocks mostly available Available in most countries & mostly in stock, short wait for stock replenishment All versions and variations widely available in all countries & in stock Aesthetics Design is not pleasing to the eye; poor colour choice, parts do not fit together, no cohesive design Design is acceptable, some elements do not work together well Design is functional, no overall cohesion Design is functional with some flair, most elements work together well Very pleasing to the eye, complimentary colour choices, great fit and finish, with an overall cohesive design Build Quality Poor construction, with gaps or overlapping parts. Poor quality materials used Functional construction, cheap materials Functional construction, acceptable materials used Durable design, some parts are high quality, most are acceptable Solid construction, parts fit together as intended with no unexpected gaps or overlapping parts. High quality materials and parts used Documentation Single language instructions, no diagrams, basic features only Basic instructions, technical specifications in a few languages, little no diagrams, no example code Basic instructions, technical specifications in a few languages, diagrams for use. Some example code Documentation available in multiple languages, with all features covered and diagrams for use. Some example code Documentation available in multiple languages, with all features covered and simple diagrams for use. Mechanical and circuit diagrams also included. Example code. Advanced topics covered too Packaging Little to no thought given to environment. Wasteful use of space leading to higher shipping costs. Excess layers of packaging Some thought given to environmental packaging & recycling. A few layers of packaging Some thought given to environmental packaging materials & recycling. Single layer of packaging Environmentally friendly, packaging designed for recycling with some effort. Packaging is has mostly efficient use of space to cut down on shipping costs Environmentally friendly, packaging designed for easy recycling. Packaging is small with efficient use of space to cut down on shipping costs Environmental No consideration given to sourcing, production, supply, delivery or disposal of product, with toxic chemicals used in production No consideration given to sourcing, production, supply, delivery or disposal of product Product is efficient to operate, but may have poor environmental production or disposal impacts Most of the product is sourced from recycled materials, no toxic chemicals used in production, some thought given to production and delivery energy used Product is sourced from 100% recycled materials, with no toxic chemicals used in production. produced with clean energy, packaging designed to lower delivery costs and disposal of product is taken care of total is 4.3 🎁 See the transparency notes for details.