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Hardware Hacking In The WSJ

Posted by timothy on from the it's-been-in-low-rider-for-years dept.

NaDrew writes "The Wall Street Journal has an interesting piece called "So Your Roomba Vacuums ... Does It Also Take Pictures?" (No reg. req.), profiling a couple of hardware hackers. Phillip Torrone has modified a laptop-brained robot to follow his Segway, which he is modifying to follow a pink ball. He's also modded his Roomba with a built-in Webcam. The article goes into a bit of the history of hardware hacking, from the CueCat to Andrew 'Bunnie' Huang's Xbox hacks."

11 of 104 comments (clear)

  1. Eek by StevenHenderson · · Score: 5, Funny

    With the help of small digital video cameras, Mr. Torrone is modifying the Segway to automatically follow a pink ball.

    Better make sure you don't walk around the house naked or the Segway will chase your nutsack. :)

  2. Re:My Roomba doesn't take pictures by Sc00ter · · Score: 1, Funny
    It's also funny that the people that are wearing tinfoil hats because they're afraid of being monitored spend all their time monitoring themselves/frieds/others and putting cameras in everything.

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  3. Roomba webcam by 1gor · · Score: 2, Funny

    He's also modded his Roomba with a built-in Webcam

    Gives new angle to those dinner parties...

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  4. Also on the cards... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    modifying his RealDoll (tm) to more closely resemble a woman. Sadly, obtaining the specs for this modification from an actual woman is proving somewhat difficult.

  5. Re:What. The. Frig. by David+Horn · · Score: 2, Funny

    Phillip Torrone has modified a laptop-brained robot to follow his Segway, which he is modifying to follow a pink ball.

    I'm sorry, but anyone who modifies a Segway scooter to follow a pink ball has way too much time on their hands. On the other hand, it would be pretty funny to see the reactions on people's faces if a Segway trundled by, riderless, on the pavement.

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    PocketGamer.org - For the gamer on the go!
  6. Re:What. The. Frig. by John_Allen_Mohammed · · Score: 1, Funny

    A riderless segway with the handlebars turned backwards @ steve jobs funeral procession? Seems appropriate.

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  7. Hardware Hacking In The WSJ by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    All those who immediately thought "scissors?" please raise your hands.

  8. so he hasn a by geekoid · · Score: 3, Funny

    roomba with a view?

    thank yiou, All be here all week!

    Don't forget to tip your sysadmins.

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    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    1. Re:so he hasn a by geekoid · · Score: 4, Funny

      gah, I re-read that twice before submitting, and it still looks like it was typed by a man with hooks instead of hands.

      stupid cold medicine

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      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  9. OK Wait a Second by Gudlyf · · Score: 3, Funny
    "Phillip Torrone and his wife share their Seattle house with five Sony Aibo dog robots, two Segway motorized scooters, a suitcase-size robot whose brain is a laptop computer, and dozens of other gadgets."

    Phil Torrone has an actual, flesh in blood wife?! Are we sure that's Phil Torrone's wife, or one of the robots he put together by beowulfing sixteen PocketPC's, a Garmin eTrex GPS, three Aibos, a Roomba and a Segway together?

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  10. Careful..... by HAL9OOO · · Score: 2, Funny

    I notice that the device carries an "iRobot" logo I think the MPAA might have something to say about that you know (snicker!)

    "Say it with Flowers" (send her a Triffid!)