PLEN Robotics Cube PC020B User manual

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PLEN Cube PC020B
Instruction Manual
(Crowd-funding model: equipped with an onboard battery and display screen) (191105-1)
Thank you for purchasing PLEN Cube.
Please read this manual in its entirety for the correct use of this pr
oduct before operation.
●PLEN Robotics Inc is not liable for any damages or accidents caus
ed by failing to observe the items and precautions described.
●The diagrams and illustrations provided in this manual are repres
entations. Actual images and form may differ in the received pro
duct.
●Specifications are subject to change without notice for product i
mprovements.
●Unauthorized copying or reproduction of any of the contents of th
e product or this document is prohibited.

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【Precautions for Safe Operation】
PLEN Cube is a precision machine and there are many moving parts. If used incorrect
ly, it may lead to the failure of a mechanism / electronic component, or result in
a serious accident. Please begin operation only after fully reading and acknowledgi
ng the full contents and precautions of this manual:
●Do not let any water or dirt into any cracks, holes, or components of the pro
duct
●Do not store, charge, or use the product in excessively hot or humid environm
ents, near fire, or near water sources (ie: baths, lakes, etc…)
●Do not use or leave the product on an unstable or unbalanced surface
●Never open, disassemble, or modify any components of the PLEN Cube or its acc
essories
●Use and store out of reach of small children.
●Use and store out of reach of pets.
●Do not forcefully impede, manually move, apply a strong force, or torque to a
ny actuating or moving parts. Forcefully moving components beyond their inten
ded range may damage the mechanisms.
●Do not operate with wet hands.
●Always operate within easy reach and turn off the power when not operating or
leaving the product unattended for extended periods of time.
●Do not attempt to charge the device with any charger other than the one provi
ded.
●Do not insert any wires, tools, or other invasive objects into the openings
●Do not operate when there is an abnormality or malfunctioning component due t
o failure or damage, including water damage.
●Be careful to keep fingers away from the moving parts.
●If there are any unusual smells, smoke, or sounds, immediately turn off the p
ower and stop using the product.
●Follow the instructions of your local municipality when disposing of the PLEN
Cube as would be done for other electronic devices and batteries.
【Battery Charging 】

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The PLEN Cube is equipped with a lithium-ion battery. Improper operation may signi
ficantly shorten the battery life, damage the battery, or cause fire. Please read t
he following carefully and follow the instructions provided for use and charging:
●Use the charger provided with the PLEN Cube to charge the device. The charger
is for domestic use only.
●Follow the precautions and directions of use of the charger as listed on the
adapter.
●Please charge the device at least once every six months to prevent any shorte
ning of the battery life.
●Do not hit, drop, or apply any impact shock to the device while charging
●When unplugging the charging cable, hold and pull from the head of the connec
tor and not the cable
【Components 】
●x1 PLEN Cube main unit
●x1 USB charging adapter
<Component naming and location>

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① LED light (white)
② Camera
For photos, videos, and face recognition functionalities
③ Motion sensor
Not used in this model
④ Speaker
⑤ IR (infrared) remote control
For recording and sending IR signals to control home appliances

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⑥ Power switch
⑦ USB micro-B terminal
For charging the battery
⑧ Status LED (red)
Illuminated while the battery is charging
⑨Status LED (green)
Indicates the current status of the PLEN Cube such as startup (solid illumin
ation) and errors (flashing)
⑩ Microphone x4
Mounted on the upper surface of the PLEN Cube head. Used for sound direction
recognition, voice recognition, and general sound recording
⑪ LCD display (Only for models with LCD)
Displays symbols, images, and information.
⑫Built-in antenna
Located on the inside wall of the PLEN Cube head. Covering with hands or obje
cts may affect connectivity.

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【Charging the PLEN Cube 】
Before turning the PLEN Cube on please completely charge the battery. Insert
the USB micro-B connector side of the charging adapter in the proper orientation in
to the charging terminal located on the back of the bottom half of the PLEN Cube.
※ Please charge the PLEN Cube using only the provided charging adapter
※ If the adjacent status LED light is flashing red, immediately remove the USB con
nector from the terminal and stop using it.
【First-time Operation 】
A smartphone, tablet, or computer is required for initial setup.
< Network setup >
This section will describe how to connect the PLEN Cube to a local WIFI
network.
The PLEN Cube will automatically try to connect to the most recently se
tup network proceeding the initial operation and setup. The PLEN Cube
will voice its IP address of the current connected network during start
-up. If the PLEN Cube cannot recognize or connect to any available net
works, the network setup procedure must be conducted again.
Please follow the described steps whenever connecting to a new network.
1. Turn on the PLEN Cube by pressing and holding the power switch button, locate
d on the back of the bottom half of the PLEN Cube, for 3 full seconds. When
the start-up procedure begins, the front white LED light will turn on for a s
hort time. Please wait approximately 1 minute for the start-up process to fu
lly complete.

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For the first time start-up, the PLEN Cube will be in hotspot mode and the fi
xed IP address will be 【10.42.0.1】
When the PLEN Cube is connected to a network, it will voice its IP address wi
thin that connected network, which may differ between different networks.
2. For the first time use or when the PLEN Cube is not connected to any network,
the PLEN Cube will start-up in “Hotspot Mode.” From Hotspot Mode, please fo
llow the following steps to connect to a new network.
3. The PLEN Cube creates its own limited WIFI network while on HotSpot Mode. On
the smartphone, tablet, or PC device, please open the list of available WIFI
networks and change the current network to the hotspot created by the PLEN Cu
be beginning with <plencube… >. When asked for a password, please input
the security key <plencube>.(※)
※Password should be entered without the angle brackets “<” and “>”
4. While connected to the “plencube...” hotspot network, open a web browser (G
oogle Chrome recommended) and enter the hotspot IP address of the cube: 【10.
42.0.1】and the network connection screen for the PLEN Cube will be displaye
d.
When the PLEN Cube has successfully connected to the entered network, it will
voice the name of the network it has connected to and follow by voicing its n
ew IP address within this network. Please note this new IP address voiced b
y the PLEN Cube and do not lose it.

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The complete functionality of the PLEN Cube cannot be used until the user re
gistration has been completed.
※ In the event the voiced IP address was lost or misunderstood, please turn off the PLEN C
ube by pressing and holding the power switch for 5 full seconds and then turn the PLEN Cube
back on by holding the power switch for 3 full seconds. During this new start-up, the PLEN
Cube will again voice the network name and IP address it is currently connected to. It is i
mportant to take note of this voiced network and IP address to connect to the PLEN Cube.
※ If the PLEN Cube voices the hotspot network and IP address, or starts up in Hotspot Mode
after turned on, the connection to the networks known by the PLEN Cube has failed. This pro
cedure to connect to a network from the PLEN Cube hot spot must be repeated.
※ Please conduct the network connection procedure in a location to the WIFI network where t
he connectivity is strong.
※ It will not be possible to connect the PLEN Cube to networks with 2-step verification tha
t may be used in certain companies, schools, or other protected organizations.
5. Close the browser used to input the desired WIFI network. Again open list of
available networks on the smartphone, tablet, or PC and connect the device to
the same network that the PLEN Cube was connected. Open a new web browser se
arch bar and input the new IP address voiced by the PLEN Cube and the PLEN Cu
be application will once again be displayed on the screen.
When connecting with a smart device to the PLEN Cube that is also connected t
o the internet, the user registration page will be displayed.
6. User registration is required to begin using the PLEN Cube. New users who ar
e also Crowdfunding Backers of the PLEN Cube can register for free.
Enter a valid mailing address and desired password for the new PLEN Cube acco

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unt to be associated, confirm the new registration, and restart the PLEN Cube
by clicking the “Restart” button, or by pressing and holding the power swit
ch for 5 full seconds and then turn the PLEN Cube back on by holding the powe
r switch for 3 full seconds.
While the PLEN Cube is connected to a WIFI network with internet access, the intend
ed functionalities such as weather reports, IFTTT control, music services(※), and
firmware updates will be carried out normally.
※Music functionality is not implemented as of October 2019 and access is scheduled for 2020.
Initial set up has now been completed

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【How to use the PLEN Cube 】
1. Voice commands
Basic functionalities of the PLEN Cube can be controlled through the use of s
peaking the trigger word followed by a command word.
Begin by speaking the trigger word “Hirakegoma” (hee-rah-kay-goh-mah), mean
ing “open sesame” in Japanese. If the PLEN Cube has successfully heard and
understood the trigger word, it will turn to face the user and a “pong” sou
nd will be heard.
The user can then voice one of the following commands in a clear, slow voice.
<This will definitely need an english translation >
If no command is given, or the command is not recognized by the PLEN Cube, th
e device will gesture misunderstanding and no commands will be carried out.
The trigger word must be voiced before giving any command word. A command wo
rd will not be carried out if the trigger word is not first clearly stated, o
r if the command is not given to the PLEN Cube within the default listening p
eriod of 7 seconds.
[basic action]
IP address
What is the wea
ther?
what time is i
t?
hello
how are you?
good night
flashlight on
flashlight off
turn on the TV
turn off the TV
Vocals commands
[Media]
take a photo
take a video
take a panorama

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2. Web Application
It is also possible to control the PLEN Cube using a smart device or PC that
is connected to the same network as the PLEN Cube.
A list of the voice control commands can be found in the “Settings” tab in
the menu on the web application and then select “Voice Commands.”
【Camera Functionality Instructions 】
There is a camera mounted on the top half of the PLEN Cube that can be used f
or photos, videos, and panorama capturing.
<Taking photographs and videos >
1. Speak the trigger word “Hirakegoma” to the PLEN Cube in a slow and cl
ear voice and wait for the PLEN Cube to completely finish moving and a
“pong” sound will be heard from the PLEN Cube’s speaker.
2. Say clearly the command “take a photo.” The PLEN Cube will then ring
3 “pong” sounds followed by the sound of a camera shutter.
3. The photo or video that was just taken will be displayed on the screen
on the top of the PLEN Cube.

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Videos can also be captured following the same steps described above. Howeve
r, in step 2, instead speak the command “take a video.” The default video
length is 15 seconds.
Photos, videos, and other camera functionality can also be controlled with th
e web application under the “Camera” tab in the drop down menu on the left
of the PLEN Cube web application.
The camera functionality can also be controlled manually in this page by sele
cting the camera icon or play icon to take photos or videos respectively. Th
e camera and video settings can also be changed here to adjust the length of
time a video can be recorded. The maximum length possible that can be captur
ed is 15 minutes in one recording. The video recording will automatically sto
p after the maximum time has elapsed.

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※ After recording a video, the PLEN Cube must process it. During this time, use of th
e camera will not be possible. Video processing length depends on the size and length
of the video file recorded.
Selecting the icon of a face in the Camera menu will activate the face-tracking fun
ctionality of the PLEN Cube. While this command is active, the camera will follow
the user’s face.
<Captured Photos and Videos>
Captured photos and videos will be saved in the internal memory storage of th
e PLEN Cube. These will be found in the “Media” tab of the drop down menu on the
PLEN Cube web application. The captured media are organized into three categories:
photo, video, and panorama. Selecting the desired tab and captured image will give
the user the option of saving or deleting the file.
【Music Streaming Services 】
The PLEN Cube has the ability to connect to various internet streaming platfo
rms (KKBOX, Tidal, Napster). However, this functionality is not currently availabl
e. Music services will be offered beginning in the year 2020.

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【Infrared (IR) Remote Control Instructions】
The infrared output (sending) LEDs are located on the left, right, and back f
aces of the PLEN Cube, while the input (IR signal receiver) is located on the right
face with one of the output LEDs. The receiver is capable of recording IR inputs f
rom other device signals (ie: IR remote controls for televisions, air conditioners,
IR controlled lights, etc…).
※As of October 2019, the voice commands “TV On” / “TV Off” / “Light On” / “Light off” have
been implemented and are available.
<Recording new IR signals>
1. The open hold on the right side of the PLEN Cube’s top layer is where the I
R signal receiver is located.
2. In the PLEN Cube web application, open the “Infrared” from the menu panel,
choose a command to record a signal from the drop down menu, and select “Rec
ord Signal.” The PLEN Cube will immediately start recording any infrared si
gnal entering the receiver sensor. Push the desired button on the remote con
trol to record that IR signal to the PLEN Cube while pointing the sending LED
of the controller at the hole on the right side of the PLEN Cube (with the IR
receiver).

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【Weather Report Setup 】
In order to have the PLEN Cube give accurate weather reports, the PLEN Cube’
s current location must be set up. In the PLEN Cube web application menu, select
“Set Location,” input the required information into the bars and select “set” a
t the bottom.
【Connecting to a new network 】
Follow this procedure to input and connect to a new network that is different
from the initial network introduced during first use of the PLEN Cube.

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Choose the “Settings” option in the web application menu and select “Network set
tings”. Click on the “+” icon at the bottom of the screen to add a new network
manually. Enter the SSID and password of the desired new network. Ensure this new
network is running and available, and ensure that the PLEN Cube is in a location to
receive a strong signal from the new network.
After the new network has been entered and the “Connect” button pressed, the PLEN
Cube will speak out the name of the new network it has connected to if the connecti
on was successful. Now that the PLEN Cube is connected to a new network, the web a
pplication will no longer update nor be able to control the PLEN Cube. The PC or s
mart device must also change its connected network to the new network with the PLEN
Cube.
※ If the PLEN Cube speaks out “Hotspot” instead of the new network name, the connection has failed.
Please ensure that the desired new network is running and available, that the SSID and password infor
mation are correct, or that the signal is strong enough for the PLEN Cube to receive, and then restart
this “Connecting to a new network” process.
※ It will not be possible to connect the PLEN Cube to networks with 2-step verification that may be u
sed in certain companies, schools, or other protected organizations.
When the new network connection is successful and the PLEN Cube speaks the new netw
ork name, it will also speak the new IP address for the web application access. Ple
ase take note of this new IP address.
In the event the spoken IP address was lost or misunderstood, the IP address can b
e retrieved by two ways:
1. Turn off the PLEN Cube by pressing and holding the power switch for 5 full seconds and t
hen turn the PLEN Cube back on by holding the power switch for 3 full seconds. During this

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new start-up, the PLEN Cube will again voice the network name and IP address to which it is
currently connected. It is important to take note of this voiced network and IP address to
connect to the PLEN Cube.
2. Speak the trigger word “Hirakegoma” to the PLEN Cube in a slow and clear voice and wai
t for the PLEN Cube to finish moving and ring the “pong” sound. Speak in a slow and clear
voice “IP address.”The PLEN Cube will then nod and speak its current IP address
※ Note that the spoken IP address may be the address of the PLEN Cube hotspot or of another network t
hat the PLEN Cube has previously successfully connected to if the new network is not available.
After switching the smart device or PC to the new network, open a new web browser a
nd input the new IP address that the PLEN Cube has spoken into the search bar to ac
cess the web application.
【Current Time Setup】
The PLEN Cube will automatically adjust it’s current time when it has succes
sfully connected to a network with internet.
【Updating Software and Firmware 】
Updates will be available regularly for the PLEN Cube and will be downloaded
and updated automatically. Updates will take some time, please do not turn off the
PLEN Cube while it is updating.

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【Troubleshooting 】
1. The PLEN Cube does not respond to the trigger word
●Ensure the environmental background noise is not too loud. If it is eq
ually as loud as the spoken trigger word, the PLEN Cube will not recogn
ize it.
●Confirm if there is a “pong” sound ringing from the speaker after the
trigger word is said. If there is a “pong” sound, please refer to th
e “2. The head will not move or rotate” troubleshooting.
2. The head will not move or rotate
○The battery is low. Please connect the PLEN Cube charger and try agai
n.
○Check the status light at the back of the PLEN Cube beside the power sw
itch. If the light is flashing red, something has interfered with the
head rotation and it has been locked. Press the power switch twice (fo
r 1 second or less) and the head will become unlocked.
○In the case that the head does not become unlocked after following the
above procedure, or the situation is outside of one of the above condit
ions, please restart the PLEN Cube by pressing and holding the power sw
itch for 5 full seconds and then turn the PLEN Cube back on by holding
the power switch for 3 full seconds.
3. The PLEN Cube does not turn on when the power switch is held for 3 seconds
○Confirm if the green LED at the back of the PLEN Cube beside the power
switch is on. If so, confirm if the speaker is used by the PLEN Cube d
uring the next 60 seconds of start up. If the speaker is heard, please
see “2. The head will not move or rotate” troubleshooting.
○Please connect the PLEN Cube charger and wait approximately 5 minutes t
hen try the power switch again while the PLEN Cube charger is still con
nected.
○If none of the above conditions solve the issue, please contact PLEN Ro
botics Inc. for guidance.
4. The PLEN Cube will not charge
○Plug in the provided charger into the PLEN Cube and an electrical outle
t. If the red status LED beside the power switch turns on solid, the P
LEN Cube is currently charging. Please wait approximately 5 minutes be
fore attempting to turn on the PLEN Cube if the battery has been comple
tely used up. If the red status LED does not turn on, the battery may
already be 100% charged.
○Check if there is any dust or obstructions in the micro-B USB terminal
in the PLEN Cube and remove it. Plug in the charger and try again.

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○If the red status LED beside the power switch is flashing while the pro
vided PLEN Cube charger is connected to the terminal and an electrical
outlet, a charging error has occurred. Please do not use the PLEN Cube
and contact PLEN Robotics Inc. for guidance.
5. The web application display will not update
○Try reloading the browser.
○Try accessing the PLEN Cube application with a different browser (Googl
e Chrome recommended).
If the troubleshooting recommendations above do not solve the issue, or if a differ
ent issue not listed above is discovered, please contact PLEN Robotics support at:
[e-mail]

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【Specifications】
Product Name
PLEN Cube PC020B
Dimensions
apprx. 74 x 74 x 74mm
Weight
Battery Included model: apprx.320g
Head motion range
Pitch/Roll:±15°Yaw:350°Up-Down: 10mm
Display
320 x 240 pixels(PC020DB only)
Camera
Full HD
Microphone
4 microphones (MEMS)
Sensors
Motion sensor(pyroelectric)
Wi-Fi
IEEE802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth
4.1
Infrared Sensor
LED signal: 3 (left, right, and back faces) Receiver: 1(right fac
e)
Battery Capacity
(Battery Model Only)
3450mAh
Charging time
(Battery Model Only)
apprx. 2 hrs (dependant on product use)
Operating time
(Battery Model Only)
Waiting：apprx 3 hrs(varies depending on use)
Constant video streaming：apprx. 1 hr (varies depending on use)
Main Functions
Photos / videos / panoramas / live video streaming /
voice control / internet connection and services / IR appliance control /
Bluetooth connection / face recognition / Real time face tracking