Transforming a Laptop into a Robot

NathanZ writes "Evolution Robotics is selling what looks like a docking station on wheels as a way to transform a laptop into a robot. I'm not exactly sure how this can be useful since the "robot" has no arms. According to their website, "you can train your robot to do things like recognize objects and places, send email, take pictures and video, respond to voice commands, and more!". Yipee. At least it would give me something to do with that old Toshiba laptop sitting in the closet."

Comments

Specs: Rugs, steps, thresholds, dirt, obstacles...

[dpbsmith]

Forget "video capture resolution."

The specs _I_ want to know are: how thick a rug can it run on? Can it go over a 3/4"-high threshold? How is it at navigating obstacles? How resistant to floor dirt is it (hint: some of us have Newfoundland dogs, they shed, the hair is long enough to wind around a vacuum cleaner beater bar and jam it...)?

What about stair-climbing?

Looks like it's only useful in a space that has a single, flat, clean floor. How many readers live in a space that fits that description?

Now, as a way of ferrying parts around a factory floor like those big "Pronto" systems...