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iRobot Moves Into Your House
MacAndrew writes "An NYT article today expands beyond an earlier /. and annoying futurism to a multiplying line of robots from iRobot, founded by some tinkering MIT grads in Somerville, MA. The robots have found applications ranging from chasing dust bunnies ($200) to exploring the Great Pyramid to bumping around Afghan caves for mines (a war reporter is another possibility), and so appear to be moving beyond the gee whiz Rosie Jetson stage of technology. I'm intrigued that their company name so bluntly builds off of Apple and Asimov symbols, and the prospect that a product with such a chummy name will doubtless soon be sporting lethal force (cf. Predator's recent adventures. So -- anyone get one for Xmas? Chanukah? Or just fun?"
This is welcome news, I'm very lazy and I've always wanted something else to do my cleaning, pyramid exploring and killing for me.
Robots, anime, Microsoft. Robots, anime, Microsoft.
I think we understand.
Second, of what use would a relatively slow delivery system be? The whole point of guided munitions is rapid movement, so the target can't get out of the way.
It would be great for attacking blind and crippled people.
The robot doesn't know what to make of the animal? Or the animal doesn't know what to make of the robot?
It will just end up with it forcing me to do house work,
kind of the same strategy as my wife.
Note to self: get smarter troll to guard door.
.. but all I got was a dancing robot alarm clock. Still, with a little work, I think I could modify it to destroy my enemies, rob banks or something else equally useful...
Roving Web-Teleoperated Robot
The animals don't know what to make of the Roomba.
The dog stares at it like a deer in the headlights; the cats can't seem to decide if it's chasing them, they should be chasing it, or if they should ignore it.
Karma: Food Fight (Mostly affected by Date Plate).
Headline around Christmas in 2006:
"New Roomba Virus Released; Owners Advised to Lock Roomba (or Pets)"
AP -- NYC
A new strain of CatLover Roomba virus was released yesterday by a Russian hacker. When infected, Roomba will apparently start chasing household cats and dogs and try to electrecute them. Owners are advised to download the lastest patch from roombavirusnomore.com to prevent tragedies. Authorities in US and Russia are collaborating closely in pursuit of the suspect..."
OMG, the horror!
I got a Roomba for Christmas, and honestly, it's one of the best cat torture devices I have ever seen.
I got a Roomba for my boyfriend and my Mother for Christmas...
Hmmm... wonder what I could get for my wife and kids? Not much, I'd wager...
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