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Wi-Fi Security Robots?

John Hering writes "It was bound to happen.... Security Robots that are "Wi-Fi" enabled and capable of enterprise-grade tasks. Details have emerged about a robotics platform that combines cutting edge security and wireless technologies and is capable of integration with buildings' central heating and cooling systems, security systems, air quality controls, wi-fi networks, and even lighting and power systems to provide valuable building services and emergency back-up. It can even greet guests, guide them to their destinations or lead building tours! Similar projects in the past have pushed these robotics technologies forward and spawned numerous new projects , especially amongst the linux community."

107 comments

  1. security? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Has anybody thought about the security flaws/exploits that would obviously be a problem with such a device? Im not so sure Id want such an extensive robot so open to potential attacks/interference.

    1. Re:security? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Im not so sure Id want such an extensive robot so open to potential attacks/interference.

      Why the hell not... that plot worked in Runaway

    2. Re:security? by KrisHolland · · Score: 3, Insightful

      "Im not so sure Id want such an extensive robot so open to potential attacks/interference."

      You mean you would much rather have a human security guard that can be blackmailed, bribed and bought off.

    3. Re:security? by AndroidCat · · Score: 1
      PatrolBot systems have been used at companies including Hewlett-Packard, Pfizer Global Research and Victoria's Secret.

      Exploits? Sweet!

      --
      One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
    4. Re:security? by Craig+Maloney · · Score: 1

      Hell, just get a strong cordless phone near these babies, and they're pretty much toast. :)

    5. Re:security? by hassassin9 · · Score: 1

      The funny thing is just about anything can be exploited once it's created. In fact, most advances in technology are borne of the desire to exploit and the necessity to not be exploited. It's a constant work in progress, so kudos to the people that aren't so Nihilistic that they stop trying to create because of knowledge of how it can be used.

    6. Re:security? by TLSPRWR · · Score: 1

      The difference between this and a security guard...
      Maybe you can bribe one guard for a certain ammount of time, but not all are going to succumb to the same bribe. With hacking a robot, it's pretty universal and gives you unlimited control until the next patch is released.

  2. Lets hope that by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Its secure enough to not let this happen:

    Some one hacks one of these things and it opens the front door for them.

    1. Re:Lets hope that by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Forget doors, I'm worried that someone will get the idea of giving these things laser rapiers...

    2. Re:Lets hope that by metlin · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Some one hacks one of these things and it opens the front door for them.


      Worse - someone hacks into one of these things and has access to your entire network.

      Now *that* would be some security breach.

    3. Re:Lets hope that by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      of course! they can use the latest and greatest windows 2003 server, fully patched, its great!

      no security problems whatsoever!

    4. Re:Lets hope that by Dogers · · Score: 1

      They just need to add a few features, like AI, face/voice recognition, etc :)

      I can see it now, 2007 a company unveils their new building and internet security system, Sky.Net!

      --
      I am a viral sig. Please copy me and help me spread. Thank you.
    5. Re:Lets hope that by modder · · Score: 1

      "opens the front door for them"

      As long as it doesn't open Windows we're okay.

    6. Re:Lets hope that by GregAndreou · · Score: 4, Insightful

      As opposed to someone that hacks into your network and has access to your entire network?

      --
      My freedom ends where someone else's begins
    7. Re:Lets hope that by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      In my experience, network hosts don't go walking around outside...

    8. Re:Lets hope that by Master+of+Transhuman · · Score: 1

      Wireless ones DO "walk around outside".

      And these things are wireless - which means they can be hacked from 300 feet away from your site.

      Another product from your standard Geek Moron.

      --
      Richard Steven Hack - This sig is TOO GODDAMN SHORT TO DO ANYTHING USEFUL WITH! MORONS!
  3. Excellent!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    It can even greet guests, guide them to their destinations or lead building tours!
    Not to mention, it can even serve as an unknowing relay while I download copious amounts of pr0n, send out a spam run or two, and do my own "tour" of the building and its computers! Thank you, Johnny Wi-5!
  4. What operating system... by JessLeah · · Score: 5, Interesting

    ...do these security robots run? I just know I'm going to get modded Troll for this, but with all due respect, I wouldn't feel terribily comfortable with a company whose security bots run Windows. I'll feel especially freaked out when the security bots advance to the point where they are actually armed. Can you imagine Windows BSoDing on one of these things, and causing a gun to fire? Gives me the shivers. And I'm sure it's only a matter of time before it happens... (shit, if the Navy can base an entire warship around Windows...)

    1. Re:What operating system... by metlin · · Score: 4, Informative

      If you had read the article, you would have realized that they do not carry arms themselves - they merely assist the guards by carrying equipment and the like into dark and unsafe places. They're primarily built to be surveillance robots, that is all!

      It's not just the software being Windows or Linux or whatever - its the hardware too. There is a reason NASA had chosen x86 for a lot of its missions - reliability and hardware dependability.

      And quite honestly, I find it really unlikely for any of these things to be running anything close to Windows (if they ever wanted, it would be CE, which again is not really a good option). These things would have to be built for realtime apps, coupled with networking capabilitis and the like and would perhaps be happier running something like QNX.

      Or ofcourse, customized Linux/*BSD kernels.

      And oh, Naval ships do run Windows within the ship - perhaps not the control centers, but still, a significant chunk of the (active and on-duty) Navy does use Windows.

    2. Re:What operating system... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      To be truely secure it should probably run an embedded OS on a nonwriteable medium.

    3. Re:What operating system... by Hortensia+Patel · · Score: 4, Funny

      I just know I'm going to get modded Troll for this


      Yes, because dissing Windows on Slashdot is really sticking your head into the lion's mouth. You wild, untameable, devil-may-care, free-speaking rebel, you.
    4. Re:What operating system... by azaris · · Score: 1

      Can you imagine Windows BSoDing on one of these things, and causing a gun to fire?

      "Command link severed. Default setting: Crush, Kill, Destroy."

    5. Re:What operating system... by bigdd · · Score: 3, Informative

      NASA uses the X86 because it is the only CPU that has been hardend to withstand the rigors of space flight(stuff like radiation).

      Navy ships do use Windows, but not for any "Mission Critical" systems. Unix is used for all the sensory input type stuff. By law ships are only allowed to use computers as "navigation aids." Computers cannot be used as the primary means of navigation. On a navy ship the Quartermasters still get out their Sextants and "Shoot Stars" and other hevenly bodies every night to check the ships position against what the computers/GPS are telling them.

    6. Re:What operating system... by MrNonchalant · · Score: 1

      Why would a BSoD mean it fires weaponry? More likely it BSoDs and nobody notices until somebody really needs it. Not to mention XP hardly ever BSoDs anymore (as in next to never).

      But yeah, equiping them with semi-autos and using them as corporate security is the logical next step. Security is part of your payroll that only proves useful about 2 days out of every year and does tedious, boring (read: sitting or pacing) work the rest of the year. Exactly the kind of work robots are best suited for. Never sleep, one time investment, never get careless, harder to kill, integrated fully with the alarm system.

    7. Re:What operating system... by subtropolis · · Score: 2, Interesting

      they merely assist the guards by carrying equipment and the like into dark and unsafe places. They're primarily built to be surveillance robots, that is all!

      Yeah sure, for a while. But human nature...

      guard 1: Johnny-5 just came back from the ventilation system; says a M4d gang of h4xx0r5 have penetrated into the NOC - and they're armed with some really stoopid hardware.

      guard 2: I'm not crawling around in there. Here, give Johhny you're shotgun...

      --
      "Our interests are to see if we can't scale it up to something more exciting," he said.
    8. Re:What operating system... by GileadGreene · · Score: 1
      There is a reason NASA had chosen x86 for a lot of its missions - reliability and hardware dependability.

      Except that NASA doesn't use the x86 for its "reliability and dependability". Most NASA mission up until the early 90's used some variation of the MIL-STD 1750 rad-hardened processor (for its reliability and dependability). The early 90's saw the advent of faster, better, cheaper, and a bunch of the Small Explorer (SMEX) missions, such as TRACE, WIRE, and FUSE, used x86 processors. But I suspect that was more due to cost than anything else.

      Pretty much all of the more recent NASA missions (Deep Space 1, Mars Pathfinder, SIRTF, Mars Exploration Rover) use the RAD6000 processor, which is a rad-hardened version of one of the RS/6000 family of processors (progenitors of the PowerPC). Even the next-generation SMEX bus, SMEX-Lite, uses a RAD6000. Future missions that are being planned right now are mostly all baselining RAD750 processors, which are rad-hardened PowerPC 750's. There is a rad-hardened Pentium out there (developed by Sandia National Labs) but I haven't heard of anyone actually using it for a flight project.

  5. Hmmm by crawdaddy · · Score: 3, Funny

    A walking, talking robot? Is his name Johnny-5?

    1. Re:Hmmm by Motherfucking+Shit · · Score: 3, Funny

      No, his name is Johnny Wi-Five...

      --
      "BSD: Free as in speech. Linux: Free as in beer. Windows 10: Free as in herpes." --Man On Pink Corner in #52607549.
    2. Re:Hmmm by JaredOfEuropa · · Score: 1

      No, it's 'Awesom-o'. It farts, too.

      --
      If construction was anything like programming, an incorrectly fitted lock would bring down the entire building...
    3. Re:Hmmm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And does it look at the girl in the bathtub like on Short Circuit?

    4. Re:Hmmm by Harald74 · · Score: 1

      I have always thought that Johnny-5 was the most realistic combat robot that Hollywood ever dreamt up. And I find it a bit ironic that it was invented for a comedy flic...

      --
      A)bort, R)etry or S)elf-destruct?
  6. Rat Thing by Lord_Dweomer · · Score: 1
    So when will I be able to buy my own Rat Thing, and will it actually be able to neutralize an intruder?

    --
    Buy Steampunk Clothing Online!
    1. Re:Rat Thing by psiphre · · Score: 0

      Jack the sound barrier. Bring the noise.

    2. Re:Rat Thing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Sure, they can neutralize an intruder. By following him around, getting underfoot, and getting tangled in his clothing.

    3. Re:Rat Thing by AndroidCat · · Score: 1

      I think the first models will be more like Sleeper than Snow Crash. "Woof woof. Hello, I'm Rags. Woof woof."

      --
      One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
  7. Well! What's new? by PhrozenF · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I hope you all have seen Sony's QRIO ROBOT. It's that humanoid robot. More like an AIBO in the human form.

    Can do all that the AIBO can, and can do it all a lot better cause it can carry a lot more equipment. It has Wi-Fi, and a customizable software that lets you control all cameras / motion / etc. It can be used as an autonomous creature, or be remote controlled.

    A customized version could easily do security robot tasks.

    Read more about it here.

    1. Re:Well! What's new? by metlin · · Score: 1

      Ofcourse, all that is true if you forget the important part of the text that says -

      Availability: Long time to go
      Price: N/A


      A commercially unavailable robot is not much use for my security plans now, is it? :)

  8. Imagine if this got hacked by crem_d_genes · · Score: 1

    Not wi-fi yet - but can that be far off?

    Loss of robot in Iraq from iRobot

  9. Reality check in aisle four, please! by igrp · · Score: 4, Insightful
    Cute? Check.
    Futuristic-looking? Check.
    Create enough hype to get VC, DARPA and NIH funding? Check.

    In reality though, these are a far cry from being practical, cost-effective replacements for human security or maintenance personell. Well, maybe HP R&D does use them but that's about it as far as practical applications go (at least at this point). It just doesn't make sense to employ these outside of a tradeshow or R&D environment from a business point of view.

    What happens, for instance, if an intruder does decide to jam the WiFi network (not really that hard to do)? Do the robots have the AI required to perform their scheduled tasks autonomously? Or will they require human supervision and internvetion (in that case, they aren't really anything more than cool, mobile surveillance cameras).

    I'm sorry but I just don't see any practical applications (aside from, maybe, logistics) for these robots at this point.

    1. Re:Reality check in aisle four, please! by TheTreeFrog · · Score: 3, Interesting
      What happens, for instance, if an intruder does decide to jam the WiFi network (not really that hard to do)?

      That in itself tells you something. If you're wireless networks being jammed, somethings wrong.

      Don't think human replacement, think human augmentation. One human security guard from a safe central terminal can monitor a bunch of automated surveillance drones. The drones can be in multiple places at once, carry thermal imaging cameras, fit in small places, etc, etc. The guard functions as the control for the cluster, if any of the drones hit something suspicious they flag the guard who can take a look for himself.

      Pretty neat actually, it would allow one guard to cover a lot more physical territory at once, and 'go' places that might be dangerous in an industrial environment.

      You're using the wrong paradigm. Don't think human replacement with robots, think cyborg humans only with the hardware mounted externally, and with some simple AI to cut down on the need for direct attention. After all, we are basically using computers right now as artificial memory/intelligence augmentation by using them to do things the human brain isn't well set up to do. Now we can do some simple physical augmentation as well. Pretty cool really.

    2. Re:Reality check in aisle four, please! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Pretty neat actually, it would allow one guard to cover a lot more physical territory at once, and 'go' places that might be dangerous in an industrial environment.

      Neat doesn't pay the bills.

      I'm betting that for the cost of one of these puppies, you could install a *lot* of passive sensors and video cameras.

      The big problem with humans watching a bank of consoles is the sheer boredom factor. Putting the sensors on a mobile platform really does nothing to alleviate that issue.

  10. Good timing... by danielrm26 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Kind of ironic that Assimov's "I,Robot" trailer just hit theaters this weekend. Anyone who hasn't, by the way, needs to read Bill Joy's "Why The Future Doesn't Need Us."

    --
    dmiessler.com -- grep understanding knowledge
    1. Re:Good timing... by Captain+Nitpick · · Score: 1
      Kind of ironic that Assimov's "I,Robot" trailer just hit theaters this weekend.

      "It's not ironic, it's just coincidental." -- Bender

      --
      But then again, I could be wrong.
  11. The Fools!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    Didn't they ever rent any cheesy videos when they were growing up?

    Chopping Mall

  12. Not particularly breaking news ... by foobsr · · Score: 3, Informative

    ... there is a company here (de) which has a product out since ~2001.

    See ...(with product videos).

    Disclaimer: I am not an affiliate.

    CC.

    --
    TaijiQuan (Huang, 5 loosenings)
  13. Uh oh.. by poohsuntzu · · Score: 2, Funny

    security systems, air quality controls, I can see it now.. someone logs in trying to use an unencrypted signal. HAL: "What are you doing Dave? How do you feel?" Moron: -gasping for breath-

    --
    "We're breaking out the ramen noodles. . . "
    "Really? Is it someone's birthday?"
  14. "enterprise-grade tasks" by UrGeek · · Score: 3, Funny

    "enterprise-grade tasks" Would that be NCC-1701/A/B/C or D? What a load of marketing crapspeak.

    1. Re:"enterprise-grade tasks" by isorox · · Score: 2, Funny

      Would that be NCC-1701/A/B/C or D?

      NCC-1701. No Bloody A, No Bloody B, No Bloody C, and No Bloody D

  15. MY Wi-Fi bot... by Tsunamisan · · Score: 5, Funny

    The idea was of a micro air vehicle with a CCD camera and an intercom that I could control via the campus Wi-Fi network. I could sit at home in my underwear eating Cheerios and literally "land" my little robot on my desk at the 8AM antenna theory class and "attend" lectures :-)

    My biggest concern would be lag that would cause me to lose control and crash into a door or the professor's head. Then again, imagine this: You're happily strolling to class and right as you get to the closed door, this tiny robot aircraft hovering there starts talking to you "Hey, little help with the door, please?"

    Awesome :-)

    1. Re:MY Wi-Fi bot... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Nah, a tiny robot aircraft wouldn't suffice. If I'm going to buy something like that, it had better be able to go get me a beer out of the fridge, too.

    2. Re:MY Wi-Fi bot... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I want the sphere from Phantasm. :)

  16. I've seen this design before by Jotham · · Score: 1

    Now all I need is a Death Star so I can have these running around the corridors.

  17. Robocop by ChronoWiz · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Please put down your weapon! - You have 20 seconds to comply!
    You now have 15 seconds to comply!
    You now have 5 seconds to comply! 4...3...2...1..."

  18. Social Impact by Rui+Lopes · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Did anyone thought of the social impacts these "wifi robots" can bring? i mena, here at Portugal this kind of job is usually done by retired men and young people that couldn't find another job. If these robots substitute humans, more unemployed people will appear. Social-unfriendly technology isn't the way to go, IMHO.

    --
    var sig = function() { sig(); }
    1. Re:Social Impact by Peridriga · · Score: 1

      And the car (or taxi) you drive must be stopped because it was made with machines. Imagine how many metalsmiths it putout of business

      The house you live it was made from lumber cut by machines. TEAR IT DOWN. Imagine the number of carpenters you put out of business.

      Those circuit boards in your computer were created by a machine. DESTROY IT. Pay a retired electrical engineer to fashion you one from scratch..

      Those shoes you are wearing were created by a machine. BURN THEM. Go pay a cobbler to make your a pair..

      GET THE POINT?

      Now go sit back down....

    2. Re:Social Impact by Cyno01 · · Score: 1

      no, the shoes were probably made by kids in elbonia or somewhere

      --
      "Sic Semper Tyrannosaurus Rex."
  19. What operating system... by PacoTaco · · Score: 1

    ...do these security robots run? I just know I'm going to get modded Troll for this, but with all due respect, I wouldn't feel terribily comfortable with a company whose security bots run OS/2. I'll feel especially freaked out when the security bots advance to the point where they are actually armed. Can you imagine OS/2's poor drivers acting up on one of these things, and causing a gun to fire? Gives me the shivers. And I'm sure it's only a matter of time before it happens... (shit, if banks can base entire ATM networks around OS/2...)

  20. Money does NOT grow on trees, you know! by malia8888 · · Score: 4, Funny
    From the article: Once a PatrolBot scans its work areas, it travels automatically to perform tasks: mapping temperatures to improve central heating and cooling efficiency; measuring wi-fi signal strength to improve coverage; enabling security guards to remotely investigate several problems simultaneously, and carrying light, emergency supplies or other equipment into an unsafe or dark building.

    One of these PatrolBots was modeled after my dad. He walks up and down the halls in his blue flannel robe shutting off the lights; turning down the heat; mumbling that the company is NOT made out of money.

    --
    Harpo Tunnel Syndrome--my wrist feels funny.
    1. Re:Money does NOT grow on trees, you know! by Eamon+C · · Score: 1

      Apparently, it does.

  21. How about... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    ...a girl robot. It'll be the best p0rm ever. [sic]

    (tv commercial)

  22. I can see it now... by Undefined+Parameter · · Score: 5, Funny

    Dave: Let me out, HAL! I have to get to work!
    HAL: I'm sorry, I can't do that, Dave. A fatal exception 0E has occured at 0428:C000A313 in VXD VMM(01) 00009313. The current occupant will be terminated.
    Dave: Oh, crap.

    ~UP

    --
    Eat the Path.
  23. How about a cyborg like... by antdude · · Score: 1

    Robocop? I am pretty sure he had Wi-Fi parts. :)

    --
    Ant(Dude) @ Quality Foraged Links (AQFL.net) & The Ant Farm (antfarm.ma.cx / antfarm.home.dhs.org).
  24. Three laws? by HawkinsD · · Score: 3, Interesting
    Yes, but are these units Three Laws safe?

    I'm not sure how well Windows XP runs on positronic brains.

    --
    Never attribute to malice that which can be explained by mere idiocy.
    1. Re:Three laws? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What makes u think UNIX would do better than XP?
      Why would one believe than Win CE with stopped services all services but one ecrypted control protocol are less secure than any Linux-like OS.

      In the worst case, once in a while someone could get killed because of some Windows bug, while Linux robots will amputate fingers, break furniture and do lesser evils far more frequently - all because of people who won't patch their software properly or typos in dot-conf files.

      Three laws: of course they "don't support" the three laws of robotics. Cars and motorcycles don't either.
      Jump in front of a big robot or take it for a walk in rainy weather and you'll get killed.

  25. DRD by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I always wanted one of those robots that combine the coolness of Bender (without the killing me/stealing part) and the small form factor of a Farscape DRD.

    Cleanup job, repair functions, companion and all the extra gizmos we get on our mobile ;-)

    1. Re:DRD by Cyno01 · · Score: 1

      I like farscape, but DRDs were a ripoff of MSE-6 Droids, but those were probably a ripoff of something else.

      --
      "Sic Semper Tyrannosaurus Rex."
  26. you mean... by hak1du · · Score: 1

    "It was bound to happen.... Security Robots that are "Wi-Fi" enabled and capable of enterprise-grade tasks.

    You mean, as seen in video games like HalfLife, DeusEx, Quake, and who knows what else? And probably numerous SciFi movies and TV shows as well...

    1. Re:you mean... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ...And there it was, the Microsoft complex on One Microsoft Way. I quickly grab the scramblergrenade from my inventory which I picked up in the training mission - SCOolblasting - as I seek cover behind the big ugly logo. I throw 2 of them to the security bots and duck again. I hear shooting, that must have been their elite security guard catching some led. Then I sneak my way into the building, placing EMP grenades on key spots. Ye gods, there's a music box sound throughout the whole place! It's so happy it's giving me a headache. Quite clever.
      Oh no, a giant spider bot ahead. All it's AI parameters are set to Hate. I try to be very silent as I search for a comm panel. Ah, there it is. I start ICE Breaker and alter it's AI with a very user friendly 'Alter Bot AI' button straight after login.
      Oh drats, Bill Gates found my InfoLink frequency... No hiding anymore now. I get out of the airshaft into a toilet, I hear farting, YE GODS ITS STEVE BALLMER. It's absolutely awful. I quickly tranquilize him and go to the corridor. There's a camera but I can bypass that. Then someone sees me and punches the alarm panel. The EMP's are doing their work, most bots are disabled as I run towards the marketing departement. I pick the lock and ye gods, it's like borg drones man... can't describe it better. I quickly try another scramblergrenade but they're still at me! Dammit, they really do keep the security patches for themselves to score better in the vulnerabilities and risktime charts. Then I notice this big power plug in a wallsocket that goes to a big rackcase. I seek shelter, grab a flask and throw it in the opposite direction. They are distracted. I pull the plug real hard and I get it out, getting a burst backwards from the pull. The drone's are offline.
      Then I notice these little spider bots from like Minority Report. I simply squished them and ran off to the sales departement where...

  27. I think by kop · · Score: 1

    Colin is more likely

  28. Uh oh.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Someone just used "wireless," "security," and "lighting and power systems" in the same sentence.

    I hope theres a list of places that end up using these...so I can avoid them.

  29. Arrrgh I never thought of it like that before.... by NoMercy · · Score: 1

    Though our continued progress towards a world where people can move around without any disibility stoping them from doing so, we allow not only these robots to access anywhere, but the Dalics can invade without problem! *goes into a deep paranoid psychosis*

  30. Give Us McNeal! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Or we will raise the temperature of your building 1 million degrees for 5 days!

    This thing is begging to be hacked.

    1. Re:Give Us McNeal! by SeregonSandgrain · · Score: 0

      I hope SCO gets a few of these...

      You're sitting at your desk late at night, working overtime. It's a nice cool day out. You have your window open. Suddenly, the bars drop over your windows. As you make your way into the lobby, you notice the security doors pulled down. Suddenly, a small security robot rolls up to you from behind a desk and says, "Give us the head of Darl McBride, or be boiled alive!"

      --
      My User Agent: "Where is the pr0n?"
  31. Oops, I hacked your robot by Beast1979 · · Score: 1

    Can you imaginge wardrivers for these robots. Oh look mom, our robot is attacking our dog! Why is it trying to weed from our neighbor again! So where do I buy one?! Come on JOHN HERING! GOCHNAUER - Grant Gochnauer

    --
    --==--Grant Gochnauer--==-- http://www.gochnauer.org
  32. Sorry, but.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This is Old News

  33. I ROBOT "CRUSH KILL DESTROY" by asbestos_tophat · · Score: 1

    I ROBOT "CRUSH KILL DESTROY",

    No one will ever suspect the toaster ;O) ROTL

    I guess the engineers gave up trying to make robots that were actually helpful.

    Perfect Security + Humans == Perfect Crime

  34. Wi-fi pleasure by madcow15 · · Score: 0

    Now I can make the fem-bot that I have always wanted, a Wi-fi pleasure bot, think of the possiblities!!!

    --
    Ohh my spleen
  35. Can they... by segfault7375 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Can they go to meetings for me and just smile and nod? If so, where do I sign up? :)

  36. jammer by tasinet · · Score: 2, Insightful

    It is not only about vulnerabilities and exploiting the robot's software, even simpler things could be a great issue in such cases..

    For example, a jammer. Operate a jammer in the 11 wifi bands and you got it isolated.

    Simple?

    1. Re:jammer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Jam hell! HERF it and be done!

  37. iRobot and Raytheon by zogger · · Score: 2, Informative
    --already being developed, the fighting armed robot. They are starting with just surveillance and whatnot, but quickly got to the point in the article and through the hemming and hawing they dropped Raytheon's name, which is a good indicator to me of an example of a "extreme violence is highly profitable" corporation.

    Here's the link to the Wired article about it

    I think it's a valid concern, because you know they will keep developing these things all the way, I have expected it.

    There's already enough trouble dealing with human guards and police in the civilian sector if they get incensed or follow illegal orders and go mad dog on you. In strict military terms it's alwas been thus because the objective is to "kill the other guys" basically and any accidents are classed off as "collateral damage". We barely have any sort of reasonable expectation anymore of arguing a differing point of view in the civilian world, exploring what might be a mistake in intent or circumstances, before getting maced, beat or shot, but not with a robot, you won't get that. Binary. Won't really matter which OS it's running because even when it's running "well" it will still be dumb as a rock, they aren't even close to having the intelligence a good guard dog has, let alone a human. But, they are well past "close enough" to make them mobile and armed, a pretty dangerous situation, IMO. They won't wait for AI to equal just the mundane functionality, not when "collateral damage is almost always acceptable" is their over all mindset on achieving objectives. These sorts of robots won't be able to do the critical reasoning necessary to be effective in all cases, and you can bet that there will be a lot of cases of "collateral damage" with them once they are armed and programmed for aggression.

    In the military it's a no brainer for them,of course, it's just a smart tank sort of logical progression, various sizes. And predator is getting closer to the concept on the aerial platform, and cruise missiles I think could be classed as almost fully robotic in nature, and are in widespread use now, as are all the other complex "fire and forget" type munitions.

  38. The inevitable response... by WillDraven · · Score: 3, Funny

    I for one welcome out new wi-fi enabled robot overlords.

    --
    This is my sig. There are many like it but this one is mine.
  39. Extreme lengths by JonnyRo88 · · Score: 1

    If anyone wonders why nerds go to such extreme lengths to avoid early classes, they simply have to realize that most nerds work until 3 or 4am on their projects. It's really just a shifted lifecycle.

    Now if only engineering schools could be more understanding of their primary audience. BTW, I really like your idea. What would be awesome if there was a built in laser pointer so the "flying bee robot" could point at the white/blackboard while asking questions.

    --
    The Ro Factor - Jeep/Linux Weblog
  40. Central control...? by Kithraya · · Score: 1

    These robots will continue to provide valuable security services for your enterprise until a small bank of people from a competing company you're about to crush manage to destroy your droid control ship, right?

  41. Video of one of the robots in action... by jgarland79 · · Score: 1
    --
    Microsoft Windows runs on stress and frustration.
  42. Wi-Fi Robots Need Cognitive Architecture by Mentifex · · Score: 1

    AITree Cognitive Architecture -- AI Has Been Solved for Wi-Fi Robots
    The mind-modules below are ordered in such a way that you may comprehend the internal structure of the AI4U Mind-1.1 software at a glance. Notice for instance how many subroutines are nested beneath the Sensorium module. You may click on any mind-module listed here to read its documentation and to inspect its source code in Forth or JavaScript. This primitive AI-has-been-solved implementation is an invitation for you to build upon the current cognitive architecture by enlarging it or by specializing in your own favorite mind-module.

  43. Scenario from Family Guy: by stfvon007 · · Score: 1

    Robot: PRESENT HALL PASS
    Little girl: Right here *shows hall pass*
    Robot: SECOND REQUEST PRESENT HALL PASS
    Little girl: uhhh Right here... *shows hall pass again*
    Robot: SECURITY BREACH! SECURITY BREACH! *ZAP ZAP ZAP*

    -Family Guy

    --
    All misspellings and grammatical errors in the above post are intentional and part of my artistic expression.
  44. Scenario from Robocop by monkeyfinger · · Score: 1

    ED-209: Please put down your weapon. You have 20 seconds to comply.

  45. just call me jc denton by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    now we just need multitools to bypass these 'bots.

    where are my biomods!

  46. Lights OFF by The+Tweaker · · Score: 1, Funny

    Maybe we could get one of these things to keep the light on in the restroom at work. Stupid think turns off after 5 minutes!
    More than once I've been sitting there and the light goes off! Behind the stall door stuck in the dark what a 'bummer' LOL! Nothing like being in total darkness with your pants down!

    No job is finished until the 'paper work' is done!

  47. These are fairly easy to get rid of by Rouven · · Score: 1

    You beat them with the wrench a couple of times and they break, usually dropping a battery which you can use for your flashlight or stun gun.

  48. evolution ER1 by gad_zuki! · · Score: 1

    Can do a lot of these tasks and its $299 (supply your own laptop).

    Info here

  49. Try one of these... by Cyno01 · · Score: 1

    Dragan Flyer... Its not wi-fi controlled, but you could probably replace the camera with the guts of a wi-fi camera or something.

    --
    "Sic Semper Tyrannosaurus Rex."
  50. No, it's name is Ed... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0


    A walking, talking, Wi-Fi, SECURITY robot.

    ED 209

    "You have 30 seconds to comply...."

  51. Hack one robot wirelessly, take over the entire building.

    Real smart.

    --
    Richard Steven Hack - This sig is TOO GODDAMN SHORT TO DO ANYTHING USEFUL WITH! MORONS!
  52. Wardriving by The+Other+White+Meat · · Score: 1


    Wardriving - It's not just a euphemism anymore...

    --

    --- Generation X: The first generation to have SIG lines inferior to their parents... ---