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ED-209 Patrols University

Posted by michael on from the it-gives-me-a-headache-just-trying-to-think-down-to-your-level dept.

Joel writes: "A security robot called Marvin is patrolling the corridors of Waikato University (New Zealand). Science students at the university's mechatronics laboratory built the 1.5m-high Machine, which runs on two 12-volt car batteries and can patrol the university corridors at up to 35 km/h."

8 of 109 comments (clear)

  1. He'll be there forever by precize · · Score: 4

    They say he'll be upgraded...do you know how often a working project is upgraded at a university?

    "`The first ten million years were the worst,' said Marvin, `and the second ten million, they were the worst too. The third ten million I didn't enjoy at all. After that I went into a bit of a decline.'"

    --
    www.code-fix.com
  2. Robots need love too by WIAKywbfatw · · Score: 4

    How long before he gets bored on the job and starts flirting with the vending machines?

    --

    "Accept that some days you are the pigeon, and some days you are the statue." - David Brent, Wernham Hogg
    1. Re:Robots need love too by Xoro · · Score: 5

      How shallow. Looks aren't everything, you know.

      Vending machines are like people. It's what's inside that counts.

      --
      Kill, Tux, kill!
  3. Unfortunatly he got fined... by Sabalon · · Score: 5

    Turns out the GPS on him showed him doing 35km/h in a hallway that had a posted speed limit of 25km/h. ACME car rental sent then a notice of the violation.

  4. Re:Cost / benefit by Tim+C · · Score: 5

    The benefit is research. They're not suggesting that people rush out and buy these things, they're learning stuff the old-fashioned way - by doing it.

    If you want AI and autonomous robots and other (imho) cool tech like that to be developed, there's going to have to be a lot more "useless" stuff like this done first.

    Cheers,

    Tim

    --
    It's official. Most of you are morons.
  5. I can just see it now... by swf · · Score: 5
    Robber: Out of my way you little robot.
    Marvin: I'm afraid I have been left here to stop you.
    Robber: You? Stop me? Go on.
    Marvin: No, really I have.
    Robber: What are you armed with?
    Marvin: Guess
    Robber: Guess?
    Marvin: Yes, go on, you'll never guess.
    Robber: Errmm... laser beam?
    Marvin: No
    Robber: No, too obvious I suppose. Anti-matter ray?
    Marvin: Far too obvious
    Robber: Yes... Er... how about an electron ram?
    Marvin: No, not one of those
    Robber: I know, you must have one of those new Xanthic Re-Struction Destabilised Zenon Emitters.
    Marvin: Nice, aren't they?
    Robber: That what you got?
    Marvin: No.
    ...

    And so on until the police arrive.

    Credit to Douglas Adams.

  6. Guard worth more than the guarded? by Rogerborg · · Score: 5

    This thing is worth $10,000? And it actively seeks out intruders?

    • Marvin: Halt, evildoer!
    • Evildoer: Here boy! C'mon! C'mon boy!
      (Squeal of robot tyres on floor tiles)
    • Marvin: Cease your ambulation, meat creature!
    • Evildoer: This way! This way boy!
      (Rumble of robot tyres on wooden ramp)
    • Marvin: Resistance is... Bzzzt... scanning new environment...
      (Sound of van door slamming. Squeal of van tires on tarmac. Sound of cash register as Evildoer sells $10,000 robot.)
    --
    If you were blocking sigs, you wouldn't have to read this.
  7. What ELSE has come from Waikato? by Tyler+Eaves · · Score: 5

    Why the BOFH of course....

    --
    TODO: Something witty here...