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Roomba + Tablet PC = ?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the because-you-can dept.

ptorrone writes "Using "off the shelf parts" I have constructed another pretty good mobile robot for my home. A Tablet PC is the brain and the Roomba robot vac is the locomotion. I'm currently working on sending the IR commands from the pc to the Roomba and having the robot "do a tour" and post photos / video automatically to the "roblog" (my robot photo blog). So yah, the Tablet PC sucks ;-]"

16 of 116 comments (clear)

  1. I have been thinking about doing something similar by dj28 · · Score: 5, Informative

    Also, here is a list of other home-built robot projects on the web. They are interesting, however many of them are not as complex as this person's robot.

    Some interesting projects include: OmniPede and TuteBot.

  2. Just pics on that site? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    This shouldn't get posted until there are detailed instructions on how to build :)

  3. lots of graphics... by chrisopherpace · · Score: 5, Funny

    hope that robot can double as a webserver!

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  4. I for one... by ixplodestuff8 · · Score: 5, Funny

    I for one Welcome our new unstable likely to crash and overated tablet overlords

  5. Infa-Red? by Ianoo · · Score: 5, Insightful
    ...IR commands from the pc to the Roomba...
    Doesn't the tablet have Wi-Fi? Why not use this as your communication medium instead? You wouldn't need to have a line of sight or even write special software (just ssh into the robot and type commands at the console ;)).

    Using a suitable video application (streaming server?) it would be possible to look through the webcam and steer around the house. The advantage of using a standard x86 tablet PC are that all of the things you need are already available, and there's very little to "work on".

    Very nice idea, though.
  6. good to know by BobTheLawyer · · Score: 5, Funny

    finally someone's discovered a use for a Tablet PC

  7. Re:Function? by moonbender · · Score: 5, Funny

    Function? It's a computer that can see and move. That is its function. If you need more than that, Slashdot might not be the best page to view. ;)

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  8. What is significant about it? by xanthines-R-yummy · · Score: 5, Insightful
    I'll be the first to admit I'm not an engineer or know anything about robotics, but how is this a significant robot again? I used to build RC cars/trucks and those were controlled by simple electronics which I'm sure could easily be controlled by a computer like a Palm pilot. The tablet PC is pretty cool-looking, but beyond that it doesn't seem to actually do very much. Why does the robot need a big diplay itself? Since it's on a vacuum you'd have to bend over pretty far to see anything on the screen. Or at least I would, because I'm over 6ft tall (183cm)!

    Still, it has a pretty high geek-cool factor!

  9. Re:Function? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Easy. Clippy says: It looks like you're trying to build a collection of home made porn. Would you like me to use my webcam to peek under skirts?

  10. Roomba + Tablet PC = ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    A device that simultaneously sucks and blows.

  11. great! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    i've always wanted to find a way to scare my cat, take pictures of it, and clean my room all at the same time.

    anybody else think he looks kind of like the killer boyfriend in scream 1?

  12. Are you crazy ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    the sticker quite clearly says, its designed for Windows(TM) not floors !

  13. Re:cost by toesate · · Score: 5, Insightful

    On a similar note on cost..

    Maybe I am thick here, but why use a tablet?

    Wouldn't a cheaper notebook, or trashware with LCD panel serve similar purpose?

    The upfront economics do not make sense. If someone could elaborate..

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  14. Great project for old Palm Pilot? by vjlen · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I seem to remember a number of Palm robot projects out there. Add a Palm to a Roomba? Could be fun AND cheap.

  15. Re:cost by koreth · · Score: 5, Funny

    Yeah, heaven forbid someone should spend $2000 on a hobby. What a moron.

  16. You can do it cheaper by Heathkit · · Score: 5, Informative

    A friend and I did the exact same thing a while ago, but using a hacked virgin webplayer. It's an internet appliance you can get for about $50 off of eBay. We just ran it off of NiMH batteries and woila, instant robot.

    The details are here. We wrote up all of our notes, including the pinout of the roomba board in case anyone else wants to do this.