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Remember The Heathkit HERO? Check Out '912'

moorley writes "The 912 Mobile Platform built by White Box Robotics based on VIA motherboards as part of their PC Bots program. Still in prototype but they are projecting to have it out by Summer 2004. They have no prices yet, but estimate 'building or buying the 912 for about the cost of a decent PC.'"

13 of 143 comments (clear)

  1. Next year... by soapbox · · Score: 5, Funny

    And the Rev. B "security" models will contain combat programs to rid your business of unwanted Time Lords, just like real Daleks... Exterminate! Exterminate!

  2. ....a GIRL robot! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Is there an add-on kit so I can use this to complete my dream of building a robot.....a GIRL robot/

  3. I'd like it medium-brown, please by Deraj+DeZine · · Score: 5, Funny

    So this thing is a toaster, correct? Will it finally solve the problem that is switching between toast and Pop-Tarts? I don't want to give either of these delicious foods up and I don't have space in my dorm for two toasters set to different levels.

    --
    True story.
  4. Re:What the hell is that? by JUSTONEMORELATTE · · Score: 5, Funny

    And this is just plain disturbing.

  5. Great..... by flewp · · Score: 5, Funny

    The "HMV" patrols your home or office, recording any disturbances and e-mailing your PC, cell phone, or even the authorities!

    Great, so by the time you check your email the intruders are already gone and have your TV, jewelry and other valuables.

    --
    WWJD.... for a Klondike bar?
    1. Re:Great..... by Fooby · · Score: 5, Funny

      Not to mention a really cool robot.

  6. Um ... by rholliday · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Because I really need to hug my DVD player ...

    Wait a sec. "The 912 "MP3" also features fighter jet technology "video glasses" to view e-mails ..."
    Ignoring the "fighter jet video glasses" for a second, isn't this some sort of jwz corollary? All home appliances expand until they can read e-mail.

    --
    Xbox reviews.. We think they're funny.
  7. HMV.. by bishiraver · · Score: 4, Funny

    Cause, as we all know, large grills (Especially on robots) make them more durable.

  8. virtually unstoppable? by tsunamifirestorm · · Score: 4, Funny

    it looks like all you have to do to stop these is to tip the thing over. The other question... what would an intruder actually have to stop it from doing? running into its legs?

    1. Re:virtually unstoppable? by youngerpants · · Score: 4, Informative

      They have motion detectors, every time it detects motion it emails a pic/ video to your account.

      Having a few of these patroling a warehouse, for example, would be a nice addition to any security system (as well as being exceptionally cool)

    2. Re:virtually unstoppable? by Mr2cents · · Score: 5, Funny

      I think the pseudocode goes something like this:

      while not intruder_is_dead
      move_to_intruder
      eject
      eject -t
      done

      --
      "It's too bad that stupidity isn't painful." - Anton LaVey
  9. Re:features? by Deraj+DeZine · · Score: 5, Funny
    what kind of AI does it have

    Have you ever played System Shock 2? I imagine that it will be something like that.

    --
    True story.
  10. Re:features? by kfg · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's a PC with wheels and sensors. Which is why it will cost about as much as a PC.

    It's as fully programmable as any PC, which means you can make an 802.11g beowulf cluster that will chase the cat around the house.

    Obviously the big thing here is the propriatary AI programing, so I can't tell you anthing about that, but other than that you could whip one of these things up yourself for a few hundreds of dollars of used parts.

    The "other than that" clause is a biggy though, if you don't have a few years to dick with AI software.

    If you do you'll have more fun building one than buying it anyway, but already know that.

    KFG