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Open Robotics Debuts at Penguicon 3.0

Posted by timothy on from the plug-it-in-plug-it-in dept.

thgreatoz writes "While attending Penguicon 3.0 in Novi, MI, I came across an interesting project. Matt Switlik of Swittech aims to do for robotics what the GPL did for Open Source Software - a completely open robotics platform. Dubbed the Open Robotics Peripheral Platform, or O.R.P.P, Switlik and his partner Jason Hunt have taken a completely modular approach to robotics, with the goal of making robot development as easy as homegrowing a PC. Will we see fleets of ORPP robots plowing our streets and mowing our lawns in the future?"

8 of 114 comments (clear)

  1. 3 Laws by Stibidor · · Score: 5, Funny

    Someone please make sure they read Asimov first!!

    --
    http://nerdfortress.com/
    1. Re:3 Laws by SunPin · · Score: 2, Funny

      Defective products should be returned to the manufacturer. That simple rule would have made Kubrick's AI a 10 minute story.

      --
      Laws are for people with no friends.
  2. Ok, great by TheDefenistrator · · Score: 1, Funny

    Taking the fun out of sitting-down-at-the-workshop-bench-for-hours-upon- end -so-that-you-can-prove-your-intelectual-advantage. ......one step at a time :)

  3. I think I'll wait... by CarlJagt · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...for the next major version. I don't mind skid-steer, but a heavy duty, chain driven four wheeler without even a rudimentary rack-pinion steering system? Meh. Too easy for the cat to dodge...

  4. Re:Why such sarcasm? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    noticed the first few posts were full of sarcasm at this topic. I would think something like this, that could bring cheap, efficient robotic sex-dolls to the massess would be lauded more on Slashdot. That aside, I think this is something that has much promise. I am a beginning science teacher, and projects like this can be just the thing for young minds (even in old bodies.)

  5. Penguicon? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Uh, that would be a convention for developers of Pen-based GUIs, I assume?

  6. "as easy as homegrowing a PC" by RebRachman · · Score: 2, Funny

    Well, if it's as easy as homegrowing a PC -- then lawnmowing robots under ORPP will be as common as Linux on home computers! The replacement of human workers with robots will approach the pace of the replacement of Windows PCs on the corporate desktop with Linux boxes!

    Now is the time to prepare for this imminent threat to factory workers worldwide. Oh, wait...

  7. Re:Jobs, jobs and jobs by orasio · · Score: 2, Funny

    "Perhaps I'm more optimistic about the average human IQ"

    Well, I believe it's 100, what do you believe it is?