Slashdot Mirror
Linux In Robots, Windows in Handhelds
savuporo writes "Robots.net is reporting that Linux-based robots are far more common than Windows-based robotics. Especially various Asian robot builders are increasingly selecting Linux and other open-source software as a basis for robot products and research. Linux is also gaining ground in other embedded applications like PDAs and mobile phones." That said, prostoalex writes "50% of all the PDAs sold in 2003 had Palm OS, while Windows family accounted for 37.7% of PDA market. In 2004 Microsoft is the leader of handheld OS market with 43% market share, followed by Palm OS with 36.3%."
I'm not sure which OS I should use for my handheld robot.
over CP/M.
By the way, has Commodore released the C=64 CP/M cartridge yet? All my valuable early 80s software is orphaned!
Creators of robots use Linux to control them because robots would be far too dangerous when infected with spyware.
Imagine you forget to patch your mobile, appendage-laden Windows-running robot, connect it to the Internet and suddenly it wakes you up in the middle of the night with a mischievous look on its face.
I'm a big tall mofo.
Maybe it's because of the MLoR:
First Law:
A robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm, unless it interferes with making a profit.
Second Law:
A robot must obey orders given it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law, or interferes with making a profit.
Third Law:
A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law, or interferes with making a profit.
try { do() || do_not(); } catch (JediException err) { yoda(err); }
Lindows, of course.
Linux for vital production use, Windows for useless toys.