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Automated Sentry Robots

Posted by michael on from the angry-cat dept.

jimbob5 writes "New Scientist reports that you can now buy your own automated Room Defender. 'Who would like this gift? Any child, or anyone who saw the director's cut of Aliens and dreamed of owning one of those automated sentries.'" The New Scientist gift guide looks pretty useful.

10 of 216 comments (clear)

  1. I can see it now. by Le+Marteau · · Score: 5, Funny

    Once triggered, it issues a verbal warning then fires a warning shot (a foam disc).

    Oh yeah. I can see it now. How long before someone bolts their .357 to the thing, rigs up a solenoid trigger-puller set up to activate when the "foam discs" are supposed to launch.

    Jehovah's witnesses might have something to worry about.

    --
    Mod down people who tell people how to mod in their sigs
  2. I'm too late! by ArmageddonLord · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I've wanted to build one of these things for years. However my goals were a little higher. Complete motion tracking camera/servo system, and it would have fired paintballs or airsoft BBs... Too bad I never thought of the downgrade to common toy as a great selling point. Guess I'm and engineer and not a businessman.

  3. Exit the room or there will be... trouble! by mfh · · Score: 5, Funny

    I want this! But I won't get it. We have a little one running around and I can see what would happen some early morning around 4am...

    "Mommy, Daddy... I had a bad dream!"

    "Exit the room or there will be... trouble!" (fires warning shots, 1/4 payload)

    "AAAAARGGGGHHH!!!!! A MONSTER!!!!!" (flees, heavily pelted by nerf discs)

    "You were warned! Have a good day and stay out of... trouble."

    "ZZzzzzZZZzzZZZZZzzzZZZ" (mom & dad (in unison))

    "Waaaaaaahhhhhh" (cries to sleep)

    On second thought... that could make for some interesting Skinner experiments where we actually get to sleep for a whole night! Although the little one might not get to sleep at all, living in fear of the menacing turret monster. Hey maybe this could breed a new form of learned Tourette's Syndrome?? I mean what else is going to happen after being pelted by a nerf turret living in your parent's room for your whole childhood, until all you can do is swear randomly. (all the moderators with Tourette's are going to love this comment... can you imagine their reaction??? At least they won't be able to mod this down -- for a while)

    --
    The dangers of knowledge trigger emotional distress in human beings.
    1. Re:Exit the room or there will be... trouble! by pete-classic · · Score: 5, Funny
      On second thought... that could make for some interesting Skinner experiments where we actually get to sleep for a whole night! Although the little one might not get to sleep at all, living in fear of the menacing turret monster.


      What an age we live in, where people try to automate traumatizing their kids.

      Listen, save the money you'd spend on this thing and just beat the hell out of the kid every time he comes to your room.

      I recommend a belt.

      -Peter
  4. Lame by pmbuko · · Score: 5, Insightful

    All you have to do is train your dog to sit/stay obediently, then get him to take the shots for you until the ammo runs out. You're free to pillage the room unmolested after that.

    1. Re:Lame by drinkypoo · · Score: 5, Funny

      All you have to do is walk up and watch the foam discs bounce harmlessly off of your legs, then pillage the room. Get back to me when someone is selling one of these that launches shuriken or sharpened AOL CDs.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  5. I've had one of these for a while... by Rude+Turnip · · Score: 5, Funny

    I have an earlier model. The biggest change is that instead of shooting discs, it howls and then poops on the carpet.

    --
    Bill Clinton: Pimp we can believe in. - The Shirt!!!
  6. Overreaction. by mr_spatula · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This isn't impressive.

    If it said anything about actually TRACKING the target, I'd be impressed.

    As it is, it appears to be little more than a light sensor attatched to a rapid-fire nerf gun. i.e. Dumb-fire, no aiming.

    If it says otherwise, I'd love to know... but I saw nothing to indicate that.

  7. Defending my own room... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    ....wouldn't be as fun as liberating my sister's room. I want a unilateral robot room liberator/democracy imposer.

  8. All Fun Now but... by Laoping · · Score: 5, Funny

    What happens when the super intelligent monkeys get their hands on these? Seriously people, we can defeat the monkeys and we can defeat the robots, but not at the same time!!!!!