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Fujitsu To Ship Linux Powered Robot in July
Radical Rad writes "The Register is reporting that Fujitsu will be shipping a consumer robot in July called HOAP for Humanoid Open Architecture Platform and it will be running a real-time version of Linux. They plan to release info on the controls system to make it possible to program using C/C++. The 7 kg robot is wired with USB and can have an optional 802.11b transceiver." This thing could be a lot of fun to program and send around the house.
Do they have a custom Linux distribution for this robot? I have a great name for this! HOAX
"Flyin' in just a sweet place,
Never been known to fail..."
Maybe its me, but every time I see one of these pint-sized robots demonstrated or released, my first impulse is to sing an Oompa-Loompa song in my head. I just picture a crowd of these, milling around my house taking care of random tasks, and singing moral lessons to all my visitors.
Then again, I do wear a purple top hat.
"Stumble before you crawl"
I can see Butler Bots appearing. Maybe an aftermarket for "Robot Modules", sort of like software now? Could be fun!
Note that the HOAP-1 ran about $48,000.00USD; unless the price drops significanty, it'll probably not be your next tech toy.
More info and video (in Japanese) from Fujitsu here.
Roving Web-Teleoperated Robot
A robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
Wouldn't it be funny if you had set this up on your network from which you could command it to then do the housework, then someone hax0rs you and uses it to rob you in the middle of the night. That would be hilarious.
Checking out my form of escapism.
"This thing could be a lot of fun to program and send around the house."
;) e.g. open the door, clean floor, etc.
Sure could, but I don't want to see the price-sticker.
Actually I don't think the ideal helper-bots are humanoids. I beleave specialdesigned bots will do better. One bot does one thing, and does it good
Hey! That's my sig you're smoking there!
nobody needs a limpy robot.
The SDR-4X II. While it's not as customizable (And therefore I'd rather have the other one), it looks like it could be fun as well.
i know if i were a robber, and i saw a robot coming after me, i would flip out and find the quickest exit.
it wouldn't be that hard to develop either, just setup a keyword that would stop the robot, and only give that to people that are supposed to be in the house. you don't even have to teach the robot to attack, just to chase after, make noise, and flash some lights if it detects motion. all you need is a cheap camera, motion detection software, and some voice recognition software. I think most of that stuff is already developed.
Why read the article when I can just make up a snap judgement?
This is good news for companies and institutions that consider switching their desktops to Linux.
The robot would visit each room in the office, tell the occupant that it's about to switch his os, and then plug itself in the computer and start uploading Linux. After the upload is complete the robot could stick around to answer questions and teach the use of Linux.
Isn't there a better way to build a body than upright, two limbs for perambulation, two for manipulation. I mean, our species is sort of stuck with the design. But would it be easier to design something more like an arthropod.
Is the idea that it's be easier to relate to a bipedal critter? Is it easier to program a two legged thing? I'd've thought the balance problems alone would make it much harder to create a humanoid robot.
Any MIT calibre eggheads want to weigh in?
I'll program it to be Bender.
It will sit around all day watching soap operas and say, "Bite my shiney metal ass, meatbag"
Three short mpegs of this strange thing. http://www.automation.fujitsu.com/products/product s092.html (click on the screenshots)
It better not. I don't want my $60,000 investment thinking its a superhero because of law number one.
Screw law number two. If I want it to poke you in the eye with a stick it should.
We can change law number three to, "Do your master's bidding, and try not to break yourself. If you can, beat up other robots for parts. Your master isn't the richest man in the world and you're moving out when you turn 18!"
I really liked the look of the new toshiba robot, it looks like it can do more than interact with a doll house, which seems to be the design criteria behind these tiny humanoid bots.
802.11, LCD screen, and voice recognition could make it a very cool extension of your PC. It can find you, show (or read) your email, let you send replies via voice, etc. If your PC is connected to your entertainment system if could be a rolling video jukebox. Have it display your divx collection and send a signal to the PC to play the video on the TV.
There's a lot a "PC on wheels" can do now with 802.11b and broadband. I think the "ethernet everwhere" crowd would be better served by a central and movable programmable device than putting an ethernet card in the fridge and in the toaster.
A real usable robot will not look like a man, it will look like an appliance. Preferably with a cup holder and magazine rack. Oh, and a vaccum attachment would be nice too.
When these bots are able to do something other than be bots for the sake of being bots then we'll be seeing some real innovation.
Oh well. I guess I can always stuff it in a penguin suit.
"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them." -- George H. W. Bush
for when the metal one decides to come for you?
And he will.
xox,
Dead Nancy