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Cell Phone-Controlled Household Robot Revealed

Posted by timothy on from the unfortunate-name dept.

rocannon writes "Cellular News reports that Fujitsu Laboratories has developed a new robot for the home, the MARON-1, as a follow-up for the HOAP-1. MARON-1 is equipped with a wide range of functions including telephone, camera, remote control, timer and surveillance equipment, and can be remotely controlled by a cell phone to operate home electronic appliances or monitor household security."

5 of 83 comments (clear)

  1. More details on this on 12 October by jukal · · Score: 4, Informative
    This is seems like a rather interesting bot, but the currently available information on it is very weak.

    The company will release more details at the Japan Robot Conference, which opens on 12 October at Osaka University.

    So, I quess more info will be available here in a couple of days.

  2. But does it go up stairs? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    From these pictures below (Fujitsu.com), it doesn't look like it.

    http://pr.fujitsu.com/en/news/2002/10/7.html

  3. Here's Fujitsa's spec sheet for the MARON-1 by KNicolson · · Score: 4, Informative
    http://pr.fujitsu.com/en/news/2002/10/7.html

    Ugly little beastie, isn't it?

  4. Re:A cellphone to control a remote control by MacJedi · · Score: 2, Informative
    New Remote Control Can Be Operated By Remote

    I love the onion. :)
    /joeyo

    --
    2^5
  5. Bad news, good news... by X86Daddy · · Score: 4, Informative

    Bad news:
    With the mention of the cell phone software being designed for DoCoMo handsets, I have a feeling this will be released for the Japan market, and much later, if ever for those of us in the US.

    Good news:
    Not nearly as multi-function, but arguably more useful is a robot that was just released in the US. Like the multi thousand dollar electolux sold in europe, the Roomba robotic vacuum cleaner was just released by the people at iRobot, and is available now at Sharper Image and similar stores. Oh, and it's only $200. PC Magazine has a review.

    Also, there's been a robot available for home monitoring and general wandering around in the US for some time called the Cye. It's brain is your PC, but with their advanced kits that include a camera, you can have it do remote monitoring, etc... too. This thing is currently about $3k, but it used to be under $1k!

    Anyone have an idea of the estimated price on MARON-1?