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Toy Robots Can Guard Your Home

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the outside-is-for-suckers dept.

Orome1 writes "Worried about burglars ransacking your house? Buy yourself some toy robots! It is what Robert Oschler, a Florida-based programmer, did. He bought a Rovio — a Wi-Fi enabled mobile webcam robot that can be picked up from toy sections of many stores — and modified it to suit his needs. The robot already has a camera, a microphone and speakers, but the improvements he made to the software allowed him to enhance the audio and video quality of this existing equipment, and to create specific routines for the robots. This way, every time he feels the need to check what's going on in the house, he simply goes online with his laptop and directs the robot through the house."

5 of 151 comments (clear)

  1. More useful... by Monkeedude1212 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Is simply multiple cameras.

    If I was Burgling you, and I heard a noise from downstairs starting to head up, I might sneak into the nearest closet - wait for that thing to pass, then bolt out the door.

    Whereas if you simply had a realtime view from many angles - there's no real chance I'd be able to dodge you seeing me - and possibly identifying me.

    1. Re:More useful... by natehoy · · Score: 5, Funny

      Because then you'd be up all night wondering when you're going to hear [Knock! Knock!] "Candygram!" on the bedroom door, knowing it'll be the last thing you ever hear other than your own screaming.

      Land sharks can never be trusted.

      --
      "This post contains words, known to the State of California to cause thought. Wash brain thoroughly after reading."
    2. Re:More useful... by dave562 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      If I had the balls to break into somebody's home, I'd probably just take the robot to spite them.

  2. Re:Say... by burisch_research · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand." - Mark Twain

    My money is on the heavily armed and armored killing machines.

    --
    char*f="char*f=%c%s%c;main(){printf(f,34,f,34);}";main(){printf(f,34,f,34);}
  3. All it can do is watch? by Gulthek · · Score: 4, Funny

    Bart: Milhouse. You were supposed to be the night watchman.

    Milhouse: I was watching. I saw the whole thing. First it started falling over, then it fell over.