Build a Robot out of a Car?

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Posted by ryuzaki0 on Friday March 12, 2004 @02:41PM from the why-the-heck-not dept.

SomeRobotGuy writes "A researcher in the U.K. is in the process of building an autonomous biped robot out of a Mini Cooper r50. Its functions are controlled by six computers running RTLinux and it's powered by an internal combustion engine. And the thing's not tiny, at over 10 feet tall! The site includes videos showing some impressive results."

31 of 264 comments (clear)

Standard Bending Unit? by mod_critical · 2004-03-12 14:41 · Score: 5, Funny

Now it just needs a loudspeaker and a recording of "BITE MY SHINY METAL ASS!"
1. Re:Standard Bending Unit? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-12 16:55 · Score: 0, Funny
  
  That sounds like a line from UT2004
  
  Your statement is unacceptable on slashdot. Please leave.
  
  Please educate yourself
Huh? by TapTapTheChisler · 2004-03-12 14:43 · Score: 5, Funny

They could have picked any transformer and they pick BUMBLEBEE?
1. Re:Huh? by noidentity · 2004-03-12 16:18 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Transformer Refuses To Change Back Into Volkswagen
  
  CYBERTRON -- Following an intense battle with Megatron and his evil Decepticons Monday, former robot-in-disguise Bumblebee refused to revert to his natural state as a yellow Volkswagen Beetle. "I hid my existence in this world by taking the form of a vehicle! I revealed my true nature when I was called upon to protect earth!" said Bumblebee, a member of Optimus Prime's heroic Autobots force. "I refuse to change back into a humiliating bubble-shaped compact car!" Bumblebee added that Megatron arrived on earth with one goal: Destruction!
  
  (from The Onion)
More than meets the eye... by The+Only+Druid · 2004-03-12 14:43 · Score: 1, Funny

I dub him Bumblebee...

--
"Stumble before you crawl"
1. Re:More than meets the eye... by Gary+Yogurt · 2004-03-12 14:47 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Actually he's Bumblebee's British cousin, Nigel. (He visited Cybertron during the short-lived Transformers sitcom.)
Next up by bartyboy · 2004-03-12 14:44 · Score: 4, Funny

They should use a red tractor trailer to build Optimus Prime.
1. Re:Next up by Epistax · 2004-03-12 14:56 · Score: 1, Funny
  
  Optimus Prime is jewish?
  
  (/nothing to see here, you don't get it>
wow by AssProphet · 2004-03-12 14:44 · Score: 5, Funny

The things you can do with photoshop...
Bubblegum Crisis by RadicalBender · 2004-03-12 14:44 · Score: 3, Funny

Holy crap! It's a Motoslave!

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RadicalBender.com
Poor publicity... by Akki · 2004-03-12 14:48 · Score: 4, Funny

For something claiming to be "the fastest Web server ever". It certainly doesn't seem to be standing up to a slashdotting very well.
1. Re:Poor publicity... by Alien54 · 2004-03-12 15:12 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  For something claiming to be "the fastest Web server ever" [zeus.com]. It certainly doesn't seem to be standing up to a slashdotting very well.
  Of course they are the fastest. They ran away.
  
  --
  "It is a greater offense to steal men's labor, than their clothes"
2. Re:Poor publicity... by Myco · 2004-03-12 15:14 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Oh, I don't know... it went down pretty fast.
  
  --
  My deviantArt site
Geez. by Azureflare · 2004-03-12 14:48 · Score: 2, Funny

That's great. Link to a small site with a bunch of medium mpeg files. Give them no warning. Has slashdot no shame???
Seems like it's become a custom around here to destroy small hobbyist sites. *sigh*
From what I got to see of it, it is truly awesome! The amount of work this guy has put into this project is just amazing. Makes me realize even more how much I want to get into the field of robotics.
HOLA! by GoMMiX · 2004-03-12 14:49 · Score: 3, Funny

Now THAT is a toy!!

I'll take a dozen!
They should have run the by pair-a-noyd · 2004-03-12 14:55 · Score: 3, Funny

server on the cooper engine.
MORE HORSEPOWER!!
And the winner is.... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-12 14:57 · Score: 5, Funny

I would hate to be the other robot when this thing makes it to battle bots.
Site is Farked... by d0st03vsky · 2004-03-12 14:57 · Score: 4, Funny

...er, I mean /.-ed...
Decepticon Millennium Copyright Act by SunPin · 2004-03-12 14:58 · Score: 4, Funny

Clearly, this is an unacceptable use of an automobile.

--
Laws are for people with no friends.
DARPA?? by pvt_medic · 2004-03-12 15:02 · Score: 2, Funny

i wonder if it would qualify for the Darpa competition. I think it would be an interesting twist if it did.

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30% Troll, 50% Underrated, 10% Interesting
Score:5, Troll
Next Project by Catnapster · 2004-03-12 15:05 · Score: 5, Funny

Take an F-15 and turn it into Starscream.

Or, optionally, find a thirty-foot-long alien ray gun and turn it into Shockwave.

Don't forget Unicron!

--
The world can be wrong today for once.
Yeah. by CosmeticLobotamy · 2004-03-12 15:17 · Score: 5, Funny

Note to self: If I ever make a web server, don't put advertisements for it on "Error 503: Server Broke" page.
Mini? by M.+Baranczak · 2004-03-12 15:20 · Score: 2, Funny

Six computers in a Cooper Mini? Hell, they'd never fit. This must be fake.
Red Green by Saeed+al-Sahaf · 2004-03-12 15:21 · Score: 4, Funny

Red Green already did this with a K-Car. And a few rolls of duct tape.

--
"Who are in control, they are not in control of anything - they don't even control themselves!" - Glen Beck
I liked it better by aexandria1 · 2004-03-12 15:25 · Score: 3, Funny

when they called it KITT. All they need now is a couple of LEDs on the front of the car and William Daniels in the trunk.
Transformer? Please. Battlemechs Rule! by craXORjack · 2004-03-12 15:29 · Score: 2, Funny

No way man! A BattleMech is way cooler than any fruity ass robot that transforms into a refridgerator. Put a .50 cal on it, some recoilless rockets, maybe a laser or two and send it out looking for Osama bin laden.

--
Liberals call everyone Nazis yet they are the closest thing to it.
Re:Reply From Builder (Colin Mayhew) by Doches · 2004-03-12 15:48 · Score: 2, Funny

He Quoted Arthur C. Clarke! I Love Him!
Re:I just love photoshop... by ruprechtjones · 2004-03-12 15:57 · Score: 4, Funny

Well, to avoid a robot-car gap, I have to turned to my driveway to see what I can do. Mini Cooper r50, prepare to meet '82 Dodge Colt RS! And mine has a sun-roof...

we meet at dawn.

--
Kip Hawley is an idiot.
If you're going to steal a post by KalvinB · 2004-03-12 16:00 · Score: 2, Funny

at least have the sense to attach it as a reply to a lame attempt at first post at the top.

Ben

--
Work Safe Porn
Re:Isn't it amazing? by vivin · 2004-03-12 21:30 · Score: 2, Funny

What?! Are you telling me my 9 dollar bill is not real?

--
Vivin Suresh Paliath
http://vivin.net

I like
Re:Must be French! by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-13 00:47 · Score: 2, Funny

Yes. Because if it was American it would've shot all it's allies...