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Robots Do The Darndest Things

Posted by timothy on from the and-then-they-take-over dept.

alito writes "15 years ago they couldn't get them to walk, now they are rollerskating (video). Read more about the 2004 Intelligent Robotics and Systems conference in this New Scientist article, and at the conference's site. Also shown at IROS, a childbirth simulator for obstetricians, a capsule that crawls through your intestines, and a 3-mm long swimming robot. (No, I don't get paid by New Scientist.)"

9 of 145 comments (clear)

  1. As long as they don't get them confused... by datastalker · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...we should be okay...

    Doctor: Okay, put the robot in.

    Patient: Doc, this feels a little funny...

    Doctor: Nurse, which robot did you use?

    Nurse: Oh dear god, I think I used the roller skating one!

    Patient: AAaagggh...

    Doctor: D'oh, there goes another one!

    Nurse: Well, I'm off to check on the obstetrical robot!

    Doctor: Make sure that one's not wearing rollerskates!

    --
    Find out about the Lexus Rx400h Hybrid!
  2. what's the point? by wintermute1000 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    You know, not only did I not think that robot was great at roller-skating, I just can't think of any real use for a roller-skating robot even if it were a real ace at the sport. Meanwhile, my house could use cleaning, and there aren't any robots to do it for me (well, Roomba et al, but I'm talking real cleaning). I think there needs to be a reevaluation of priorities in the robot design field. Who needs another goddamned dancing/skating/stairclimbing robot?

    1. Re:what's the point? by horrens · · Score: 5, Insightful

      actually it's a pracitce in balance
      if you ever have tried rollerskating then you should know that it requires quite good balance and body control

    2. Re:what's the point? by arose · · Score: 5, Funny

      Just because the Quake bot looks female and plays with you doesn not mean she's your girlfriend.

      --
      Analogies don't equal equalities, they are merely somewhat analogous.
  3. Rollerbot Mirror by hardlined · · Score: 5, Informative

    Here is a mirror for the Rollerbot Video:

    http://shell.athenet.net/~files/rollerbot.wmv

    It'll probably get slashdotted too, but to sources are better than one right?

  4. Rollerskating robots.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I think you may be missing the point. Rollerskating, running, walking, what have you, are important fundamental tasks that must be worked out before you will *have* a robot that can do something advanced like wash your dishes or walk you dog. If it can't rollerskate with perfection how do you expect a robot to perfrom a mundane task competently. I for one welcome rollerskating robots.

  5. Robot isn't autonomous, its remotley controlled by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    The robots is a small version of the Honda robot, both are not autonomous as they are controlled by a human operator. Just like UAV with a human on ground guiding it with a joystick.

    These Japanese are playing stricks with the media saying they have advanced robots when in fact they are nothing more than radio controlled "toys"!

  6. Mirror by paul248 · · Score: 5, Informative

    Here's a mirror of the video. Not sure how fast it'll be.

  7. That robot is NOT rollerskating by Scrameustache · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Its walking akwardly while wearing wheels on its feet.

    Which, to anybody who's learned to skate, is of course remembered fondly as those first steps before you learned why they made you wear those uncomfortable wrist guards.

    Its a nice little robotic achievement, but its not skating.
    Actual skating would involve a phase of sliding along between "steps".

    --

    You can't take the sky from me...