Evolution Robotics' ER1 Reviewed

Anonymous Coward writes "A useful review of Evolution Robotics' ER-1 by the boys at Techfocus. It covers: construction, customization, hardware requirements, best features, programming, durability of equipment -- and all that good stuff. One interesting factoid is that the robot can recognize objects until the object is blocked - up to 40% - by something (like a piece of furniture). Techfocus aptly points out the Orwellian implications... Another thing that rocked my world is the notion that the robot is not as much of a drag on CPU as one might suspect. TF ran the unit on an NEC Versa VXi running Windows 2000, with a 900mhz CPU and 128mb of RAM, and encountered absolutely no problems. Encouragingly, if you want to further customize your robot, why not just write a script in C or Perl -- the manual even points users toward an app primarily based in Linux. What's not surprising: it's pricey. Also some nice pictures of how the robot really looks right out of the box."

Comments

I think I'll hold off...

[TopShelf]

Until Azimov's 3 Rules come standard.

Re:I think I'll hold off...

[el-spectre]

Yeah, but when the 0th law takes effect, we're in trouble again...

What no LASERS?!?!!

[PopeAlien]

Anybody moding their bot with lasers? You know for returning library books and stuff..

Librarian: This book is overdue
Geek: 'click'
Robot: *whir* BZZZZ
Librarian: We'll just take that fine off.. can I help you with anything else?

Re:Real world robots

[immanis]

"I have yet to walk down my street and see a mowing robot or visit a friends house and see a robot cleaning the windows."

That's because I'm walking down the street a block ahead of you and kidnapping them to add to my evil army of homicidal housecleaning gardening robots.

Orwellian Implications?

[EnVisiCrypt]

Techfocus aptly points out the Orwellian implications...

robot: TARGET RECOGNIZED. PINCHERS ENGAGED

me: OH NO! IT'S DELICATELY PINCHING MY ANKLES. DAMN THIS POLICE STATE I LIVE IN!

Puh-lease. The image recognition will only be Orwellian to my cat, and *everything* is Orwellian to cats.

Re:Orwellian Implications?

[z84976]

If I were the type of person that liked to have a .sig, I think *everything* is Orwellian to cats would be one of the better ones.

Nice...

[newsdee]

In the near future: a PDA that follows you around and carries all those electronics that doesn't fit in your pocket anymore. :-)

You just will have to watch out for water, and thieves. :-)

"optional gripping arm"

[burgburgburg]

optional gripping arm retails for an additional $199

If it's my robot, that's not exactly optional.

This sad statement brought to you by the Internet. If this had been a real sad statement, you'd have been instructed to look away, murmuring in pity. Thank you.

Grampa Simson Quote

[freeze128]

"The Laptop is getting away!"

girlfriend?

[siskbc]

The day that slashdot announces that a tactile sensor can distinguish between my girlfriend's nipple and her elbow, then I will be sufficiently impressed!

Considering all the body parts on a blow-up doll are made of plastic, that will be a good trick indeed.

Re:CPU usage depends on tasks

[Anonymous Coward]

Umm, excuse me.

Here on slashdot we only pretend we know everything about how a computer works.

Well, you see

[Faust7]

Where are they though? I have yet to walk down my street and see a mowing robot or visit a friends house and see a robot cleaning the windows.

That's because the first use that the sorts of people that fanatically follow robot news would have for a robot would be as a sex toy. They're all inside.