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Taiwan University Students Build Tour-Guide Robot

BobB-nw writes "A group of engineering students and their professor at National Taiwan University have built a robot that can map out the area it's operating in and offer guided tours. The robot, named 'Hsiao Mei,' uses laser mapping and GPS technology to navigate on its own, including around corners and obstacles such as tables and chairs. In the first public demonstration on Thursday, an engineering student with a wireless remote control first took the robot through the floor of a small museum on the university's campus so it could create a map for itself. After the initial run-through, the robot was able to make an unaided journey around the floor."

7 of 35 comments (clear)

  1. Robot guide by Thanshin · · Score: 4, Funny

    "On your left, you may observe a thirteenth century representa... GZHRRRZT... ANNIHILATE HUMANS! ANNIHILATE HUMANS!"

  2. I love this by krou · · Score: 2, Funny

    Combine this with the evil and deceptive AI being worked on, and we can have a real laugh watching these robots direct museum visitors into open elevator shafts, or into puddles of water on marble floors. "Beep, you're on Candid Camera" will be all the rage amongst our new robotic overlords (which I, of course, welcome).

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    'If Christ had tweeted the sermon on the mount, it might have lasted until nightfall.' - John Perry Barlow
    1. Re:I love this by BSAtHome · · Score: 2, Funny

      Hello, I am your robotic overlord and tour guide for the day. Please keep your hands off and eyes on the exhibits. My camera system sees all and sensor array hears all. Please also note that I am equipped with multiple dead-man switches, for your convenience, and may explode at any time.

  3. I'm actually quite surprised at this by AdmiralXyz · · Score: 3, Funny

    I had sort of assumed that all university tour guides were robots. They sure seemed that way to me.

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  4. Not of much use ... by PPH · · Score: 2, Funny

    ... as a tour guide unless it can dodge traffic crossing an Italian traffic circle.

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    Have gnu, will travel.
  5. Huh... doesn't Hsiao Mei sound like by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    ..."show me"? If so, great name!

  6. Re:Easter egg by ArsenneLupin · · Score: 2, Funny

    There's a different between: "where the sun doesn't shine" and "where the satellite doesn't shine"