Evolving the Wireless Robot

An anonymous reader writes "This article is one of the first to discuss wireless robotics from an integrated approach. It explains the ins and outs of wireless robots: their components, their shortcomings, and how they can interact in a competitive or cooperative team within professional environments. Learn how smarter robots can relieve us of the most tedious -- and dangerous -- tasks."

Comments

Tedious Tasks

[Archangel Michael]

Like reading Slashdot articles on SCO vs IBM? Slashdot Dupes?

For all tasks

[Faust7]

Learn how smarter robots can relieve us of the most tedious -- and dangerous -- tasks.

I tell you, if I had a wireless robot, I would never have to use my hand again. Hands. I meant plural. For typing.

Dangerous Tasks?

[H0NGK0NGPH00EY]

Wireless robots performing dangerous tasks? You mean like competing in death matches inside "the box?" Hmm...

ok, if they want my money here's how:

[newsdee]

Make me miniature RF-controlled mechas, controlled by a PC, so that I can have a real-life table-top equivalent to Battlechess and Carnage Hearts (PS1). Of course, they should repair themselves, I don't want to have to clean up and glue them together after every match. :-)

If they're under $100, I'll buy more than one. Under $50, I'll buy a lot. Under $10, I'll buy tons. :-)

Ok time to stop dreaming. :-)

Re:ok, if they want my money here's how:

[burns210]

you want self repairing remote controlled robots, the size of which must fit on your table, that are strong enough to battle against each other, all by being controlled by wireless internet via your home pc... and you want this for under 10 dollars?

I think I heard of a guy you should talk to... something about ocean-front property in arizona, or somesuch thing. :)

Security

[Kallahar]

"Pitfall 4: Security. Hackers can exploit a robot's vulnerabilities and turn it into a weapon or completely disable it. Solution: Install safeguards to counter these vulnerabilities."

Brilliant, I say.

Kallahar

If American Cinema has tought me anything...

[Telastyn]

It's that evolving robots and humanity don't mix!

Re:Been around for years

[bulletproof troll]

Uh... We all know that missiles' ranges are limited because they're hooked by Cat5 to silos.

Radio Shack

[Anonymous Coward]

Radio Shack sells wireless/radio controlled robots for $19.95. I use mine to roam the halls with a wireless X-10 camera. Skirt cam is online!!! Just be careful to shield your eyes when it runs into that fat chick down in accounting. I don't know if she doesn't wear underwear or if she does and it is simply lost in those huge rolls of fat but, which ever it is, it is grosser than most men can stand!!!!!

the most tedious -- and dangerous -- tasks

[darth_MALL]

Like starring in a movie with Steve Gutenberg?

Ode to C

[GillBates0]

Pitfall 3: Development. Using C and C++ to program your robot might cause problems with arrays and pointers. Solution: Use Ada to help you apply software-engineering principles and better track the progress in each life cycle stage, from concept to deployment.

May your signals all trap
May your references be bounded
All memory aligned
Floats to ints rounded

Remember ...

Non-zero is true
++ adds one \
Arrays start with zero and,
NULL is for none

For octal, use zero
0x means hex
= will set
== means test

use -> for a pointer
a dot if its not
? : is confusing
use them a lot

a.out is your program
there's no U in foobar
and, char (*(*x())[])() is
a function returning a pointer
to an array of pointers to
functions returning char

http://www.netfunny.com/rhf/jokes/90q2/ode.html

Robot Pitfalls

[SimHacker]

Pitfall 9: Analog to Digital Conversion. When using wireless technology for robot communication, human agents and external objects are impacted by the technological limitations in converting analog inputs into digital outputs. For instance, the conversion process can distort soft sounds in voice recognition (analog "hear" converted to digital "held"). Solution: Take advantage of conversions not significantly affected by technological limitations.

Alternate Solution: Poke the human agent's eyes out with a sharp stick, to mask the impact of the bandwidth limitations of wireless technology on the analog human visual input system.

-Don

Article Text

[stratjakt]

Hi, this site is all about robots, REAL robotS. This site is awesome. My name is Robert and I can't stop thinking about robots. These guys are cool; and by cool, I mean totally sweet.

Facts:

1. robots are mammals.

2. robots fight ALL the time.

3. The purpose of the robot is to flip out and kill people.

Testimonial:

robots can kill anyone they want! robots cut off heads ALL the time and don't even think twice about it. These guys are so crazy and awesome that they flip out ALL the time. I heard that there was this robot who was eating at a diner. And when some dude dropped a spoon the robot killed the whole town. My friend Mark said that he saw a robot totally uppercut some kid just because the kid opened a window.

And that's what I call REAL Ultimate Power!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you don't believe that robots have REAL Ultimate Power you better get a life right now or they will chop your head off!!! It's an easy choice, if you ask me.

robots are sooooooooooo sweet that I want to crap my pants. I can't believe it sometimes, but I feel it inside my heart. These guys are totally awesome and that's a fact. robots are fast, smooth, cool, strong, powerful, and sweet. I can't wait to start yoga next year. I love robots with all of my body (including my pee pee).

Q and A:.

Q: Why is everyone so obsessed about robots?

A: robots are the ultimate paradox. On the one hand they don't give a crap, but on the other hand, robots are very careful and precise.

Q: I heard that robots are always cruel or mean. What's their problem?

A: Whoever told you that is a total liar. Just like other mammals, robots can be mean OR totally awesome.

Q: What do robots do when they're not cutting off heads or flipping out?

A: Most of their free time is spent flying, but sometime they stab. (Ask Mark if you don't believe me.)

It's close enough to the article text - trust me.

I have a wireless robot.

[mrklin]

Otherwise known as my boss.

So do bomb sqad unions claim...

[geekee]

that these robots are taking away their jobs. Re:"Learn how smarter robots can relieve us of the most tedious -- and dangerous -- tasks" :-)

Pitfall: The walkthrough and strategy guide

[teamhasnoi]

Pitfall is an exciting game by Sierra! Here we discuss the different levels in the game and how best to navigate the obstacles to get the power-up and win the game!

Pitfall 1: Vibration. Many robots vibrate due to their fast motors. Vibration can cause a robot to move from its designated location and not perform its task successfully. Solution: Test the robot for stability and reliability and change parts when necessary.

This is an easy level.

Pitfall 2: Overload. A robot can overload when it underutilizes tasks with respect to its speed. Solution: Change the design to properly balance out the tasks and the speeds needed to perform those tasks.
Slightly more difficult. Watch those barrels!

Pitfall 3: Development. Using C and C++ to program your robot might cause problems with arrays and pointers. Solution: Use Ada to help you apply software-engineering principles and better track the progress in each life cycle stage, from concept to deployment.
Easy if you keep a calculator nearby.

Pitfall 4: Security. Hackers can exploit a robot's vulnerabilities and turn it into a weapon or completely disable it. Solution: Install safeguards to counter these vulnerabilities.
Tough level, but liberal use of your Mountain Dew weapon will make short work of the Hackers. Secret level: Mom's Basement - many power-ups here!

Pitfall 5: User Expectations. Users sometimes unrealistically expect that robots can make decisions. Solution: Educate users on what robots can do (learning tasks and motions) and cannot do (reasoning and making decisions).
Very Difficult. Users are unpridictible, and can make trouble for you. Avoid Users.

Pitfall 6: Viruses. PCs that are wirelessly communicating with robots might contain viruses. Solution: Install anti-virus programs and present security awareness programs for programmers and users.
Easy. Viruses are overrated, and usually accompanied by FUD. Shoot the FUD, and the Viruses will flee. The Linux bomb helps on this level.

Pitfall 7: Dimensions. The mouse can only provide two-dimensional positioning for a three-dimensional robot. Solution: Use a program that lets you create and view a three-dimensional robot or a game of robots in progress.
Medium Difficulty. The robots will attack and steal your medicine if you make a noise in the Robot Game Room. Sneak above them on the ledge. Watch for an ambush from behind.

Pitfall 8: Batteries. Battery power can wear off and slow down, for example, the speed of the arm and the agility of its fingers. It can cause the fingers to accidentally drop an egg, creating a mess on the floor. Solution: Implement power management software that can sound an alert when the robot reaches a low power level; redesign the robot to lengthen the battery life; or switch to better-grade batteries.
Difficult. Batteries are the key to winning Pitfall: Overload. Collect as many as you can, and when they are exhausted, be sure to drop them off in a hazardous waste receptacle. A Power Adapter can help in this situation.

Pitfall 9: Analog to Digital Conversion. When using wireless technology for robot communication, human agents and external objects are impacted by the technological limitations in converting analog inputs into digital outputs. For instance, the conversion process can distort soft sounds in voice recognition (analog "hear" converted to digital "held"). Solution: Take advantage of conversions not significantly affected by technological limitations.
Difficult. Dodging ones and zeros you must make your way to the output. If caught and questioned, use buzzwords and the guards will fall asleep, allowing escape. You're almost there!

Pitfall 10: Bandwidth. Bandwidth problems during wireless transmissions might cause a sensor, say vision, to produce jittery outputs. Solution: Optimize bandwidths so the human eye cannot notice the jittering.
Amazing

Yeah sound's easy

[Stonent1]

Pitfall 4: Security. Hackers can exploit a robot's vulnerabilities and turn it into a weapon or completely disable it. Solution: Install safeguards to counter these vulnerabilities.

If it were truly that easy, there would be no hackers. It sounds like a movie solution.
"The bad guy is hacking us!"
"Enable safeguards!"
"He's backing out sir! It's working!"

Re:I have never read such crap in my life

[elpapacito]

Today we learned that
1) Yes, you can spot the obvious
2) Yes, you know better than him/her yet you're paid a lot less (?) or not paid at all.
3) Yes, you spent 5 minutes of your life realizing all of that, writing it down and giving in out for free to slashdot, which is proof prooved you're not slimy so you can't be a consultant (or not slimy enough, given today standard of BSitting)