Slashdot Mirror


Build a Robot out of a Car?

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."

20 of 264 comments (clear)

  1. Standard Bending Unit? by mod_critical · · Score: 5, Funny

    Now it just needs a loudspeaker and a recording of "BITE MY SHINY METAL ASS!"

  2. Huh? by TapTapTheChisler · · Score: 5, Funny

    They could have picked any transformer and they pick BUMBLEBEE?

    1. Re:Huh? by noidentity · · 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)

  3. Next up by bartyboy · · Score: 4, Funny

    They should use a red tractor trailer to build Optimus Prime.

  4. wow by AssProphet · · Score: 5, Funny

    The things you can do with photoshop...

  5. Bubblegum Crisis by RadicalBender · · Score: 3, Funny

    Holy crap! It's a Motoslave!

    --
    RadicalBender.com
  6. Re:More than meets the eye... by Gary+Yogurt · · Score: 4, Funny

    Actually he's Bumblebee's British cousin, Nigel. (He visited Cybertron during the short-lived Transformers sitcom.)

  7. Poor publicity... by Akki · · 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 · · 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 · · Score: 4, Funny

      Oh, I don't know... it went down pretty fast.

  8. HOLA! by GoMMiX · · Score: 3, Funny

    Now THAT is a toy!!

    I'll take a dozen!

  9. They should have run the by pair-a-noyd · · Score: 3, Funny

    server on the cooper engine.
    MORE HORSEPOWER!!

  10. And the winner is.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I would hate to be the other robot when this thing makes it to battle bots.

  11. Site is Farked... by d0st03vsky · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...er, I mean /.-ed...

  12. Decepticon Millennium Copyright Act by SunPin · · Score: 4, Funny

    Clearly, this is an unacceptable use of an automobile.

    --
    Laws are for people with no friends.
  13. Next Project by Catnapster · · 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.
  14. Yeah. by CosmeticLobotamy · · 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.

  15. Red Green by Saeed+al-Sahaf · · 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
  16. I liked it better by aexandria1 · · 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.

  17. Re:I just love photoshop... by ruprechtjones · · 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.