Robots Go Spelunking

Posted by michael on Wednesday July 31, 2002 @11:03PM from the i,-robot dept.

anakog writes "Yahoo! News runs a story about robots being used by the military in Afghanistan to search caves. The article features a few slides with pictures and comments. This seems to be the first time robots are used as tools for combat, although the article does not say if they have encountered any resistance yet. There is no mention of the manufacturer of the robots, however, I am fairly certain that they are the PackBots manufactured by IRobot. I happened to visit Real World Interface (which later merged with IRobot) a couple of years ago and saw the PackBots' predecessors, which were called Urban Robots. The company had a contract with the Department of Defence. As the name implies, the military were envisioning to use the robots to scan buildings in urban areas back then."

4 of 130 comments (clear)

Min score:

Reason:

Sort:

Bender by Viking+of+the+north · 2002-07-31 23:24 · Score: 1, Funny

I am fairly certain that they are the PackBots manufactured by IRobot.

Well I'm sure you are wrong. It is just Bender bending his way throug the caves

--

All work and no play makes me a dull boy
Re:so by ComaVN · 2002-07-31 23:29 · Score: 3, Funny

yes, but they have added a fourth one:
4. Except if it looks like a terrorist.

--
Be wary of any facts that confirm your opinion.
Re:From the PDF: "Operating System: Linux" by JPriest · 2002-07-31 23:30 · Score: 3, Funny

Any questions ?
yes, what dependencies do I need to install guided-missle-system-0.98.5.i386.rpm?

--
Saying Java is nice because it works on all OS's is like saying that anal sex is nice because it works on all genders.
Where are the "caving" elitists... by Anonymous Coward · 2002-07-31 23:35 · Score: 1, Funny

...to tell us "spelunking" is a newbie term?