Slashdot Mirror
R/C Vehicle For The Desktop
Slide100 writes "Just found the coolest desktop toy while browsing my latest R/C Aircraft magazine (
It's a 4" long tracked R/C vehicle with plenty of torque and a 200 foot range. Four frquencies are available (racing, anyone?).
You can also get a single board B/W UHF transmitter for remote telepresence!
Check the website for more information"
Inspired by NASA Planetary
... Marvelous
Exploration Missions, Plantraco's
Desktop Rover is a Telepresence
Capable R.O.V. (Remote Operated Vehicle) that enables the user to
have a little taste of what it feels
like to actually explore an "Alien Landscape" remotely!
This Marvelous Miniature Tracked Vehicle can be very precisely controlled! Independant Control of the Tank Tracks allows you to spin in place and maneuver in all directions. With Plenty of Torque, the Rover can climb over books and keyboards like a Mechanical Billygoat.
At 4 Inches in Length, The Desktop Rover is ready for play wherever you go!
Its Radio Controlled Fun that can fit in your pocket! And it won't take over your closet space - The Storage Case fits on your Bookshelf! Miniature Radio Control is Fun for Father and Son!
Add our Miniature Wireless Video Camera (The PTV16) to the Desktop Rover and now you have a Remote Operated Telepresence Vehicle that can transmit a view of the world from the Rover's perspective - throughout your home! Place the Rover in the dining room and maneuver precisely by using the broadcasted television picture as your objective navigational reference.
This Miniature Mobile Rover will Appeal to both executive and child. Hey, If you are a child executive, you need our entire product line! Well, back to the point here, The Desktop Rover is a really cool Desk Accessory - Discard that Brass Clock with the Mont Blanc Pens and lay down a Rover .
If you DO bring it to work to play on your desk, we would suggest you purchase an extra set of batteries because you may not get to play with it much. Better yet, Take the Rover and the small 50's style remote with you wherever you go - Its one of the most pleasant ways to spend a moment. Yes, people will think you are crazy for playing with a "Toy" in public, but the feelings of joy that you will experience as you climb over your keyboard and push a coffee mug across the table will outweigh the social rejection and envy that will be glaring at you from all angles.
Independantly Controlled Tracks allow you precision control that only a Tracked Vehicle can deliver!
This Miniature Mobile Mechanical Masterpiece's Maneuvers Makes Most Mom's Mad
Bookmark our site and come back later to see some of the interesting "Modules" that will be available for the Desktop Rover!
http://www.desktoprovers.com/
Site down. Found at the Google cache here:w ww.plantraco.com/product_dtr.html+&hl=en
http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:TWUhtrUri0E:
God bless Google
For great justice.
Do not read this sig.
http://www.necrosys.net/mirrors/desktop-rover.html
It's just the page linked to from the article, nothing more.
In Soviet Russia...michael would be rotting in Siberia!
Manufacturer page: http://www.kyosho.com/cars/kyod37x1.htmlh tml
My preferred supplier: http://www.towerhobbies.com/promos/00so/kyod49sm.
Real mini R/C cars. That little tank thing looks like some low-quality stuff. These things are fairly fast and have a real suspension, but they do cost a shade more than the crap tank and are a whopping 5" (instead of the tank's 4")... They've got 7 frequencies, though.
There is a great mirror located Here:l
http://www.necrosys.net/mirrors/desktop-rover.htm
Much faster response time, seems this server won't be slashdotted as quickly as the original.
I've got one... pretty fun little thing.
It'll probably go 10'/minute. It's a bit noisy (think of the sound of 2 DC powered motors) and it'll climb a 1" book without a ramp. I had it roving around my desktop, up and over magazines, folders, keyboards... It can be a fun diversion in the middle of a hectic day.
As for the video, the camera body that is supposed to come with it isn't made yet. They promise to send one out to all who purchased them. I've got my camera jury-rigged to the top using a zip-tie and some tape. The picture quality is nominal - it's highly suseptable to multi-path interferance (ghosting.) Mostly in a closed office space.