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Cisco and iRobot Create Sheldonbot-Like Telepresence System
sweetpea86 writes "Cisco has teamed up with robotics firm iRobot to create their own enterprise version of the 'Sheldonbot' from US comedy series The Big Bang Theory. The robot, known as Ava 500, brings together iRobot's autonomous navigation with Cisco's TelePresence system to enable a remote worker sitting in front of a video collaboration system to meet with colleagues in an office setting or take part in a facility tour."
The robot, known as Ava 500, brings together iRobot's autonomous navigation with Cisco's TelePresence system to enable a remote worker sitting in front of a video collaboration system to meet with colleagues in an office setting or take part in a facility tour."
You could take a facility tour or do a video conference with someone holding a smartphone for a LOT less money.
There are excellent uses for telerobotic systems. This is not one of them. This is a solution looking for a problem.
It needs a robot arm. So that I can buy my Mountain Dew and Hot Pockets at the grocery store without ever leaving my house.
sudo make me a sandwich
Sheldonbot is a Texai Remote Presence System from Willow Garage, so recreating Sheldonbot is just copying some other company's product.
I have always prefered Bernadette myself, She just has curves in the right places.
If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
Oh lord, I can hear it now. "They don't even have to immigrate anymore to take our jobs!"
Everything is better with chainsaws.
You must be just a miserable person.
Here is a little tip for life, being overly critical of everything isn't proof that you are smart or know what you are talking about.
I like the show, however sometimes I feel they go too far to try to portate the stereotype of the geek, but once you realise that, just let it slide and enjoy the show. You probably won't get a life awakening moments in it, but get a few chuckles out of it.
It is probably the best show around that express Geek type culture out there without it, being overly negative about it. These guys do find Girls, they do work past some of their personality flaws. They are shown as Humans, not as some sort of freaks. Is it perfect, no. But I wouldn't expect it to be, otherwise it wouldn't appeal to much of an audience.
If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
There have been quite a few of these things. MantaRobot, Vgo, Anybot, and Texai/Suitable, all have commercial, mobile, telepresence robots available now. They all shove a videophone in someone's face.
Vgo probably has the best use case. They sell it to medical facilities, so doctors don't have to move around as much. This is an indication of the market. Telepresence only works if the person operating the device is someone the listeners have to suck up to.
1. immediately proceed to the bathroom, become known as "that bathroom robot that slowly sings 'bad romance' by lady gaga all day long"
2. have conversation with boss in which you slowly inch further away from her until you're nearly down the hallway.
3. only one speed: bat-out-of-hell fast. insist a racing stripe, cubicle nametag change to 'the crimson terror'
4. stand near vending machines, stare forcefully into coworkers eyes.
5. "Leave" work at the end of the day, exit parking lot, local intersection, merge onto freeway.
4. attend meetings, take your place at the table, begin slowly rotating around and around. do not stop until the meeting ends.
3. telepresence camera can and will be pointed at anything. this becomes a known fact as your attendance on tuedays is now referred to as 'that electric bellybutton on wheels'
2. once per day, fly out the door, race through the parking lot and directly into the quarter panel of the most expensive car you find. insist this is a bug.
1. show up to work, insist the use of the telepresence robot during all interaction. refuse any requests that do not utilize it.
Good people go to bed earlier.
It needs a robot arm. So that I can buy my Mountain Dew and Hot Pockets at the grocery store without ever leaving my house.
There is a neat invention for that that already exists. It's called a friend. Try one out sometime.
(I kid, I kid...)
demolition man
crappy movie
He doesn't know how to use the three seashells!
the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
It's a sitcom for people who enjoy laughing at stereotypes presented in that show.
It's like a show about Asian people where the punchline is "those crazy Asians - they're so funny when they're all Asian and stuff".
Or a show about black people where the punchline is "them crazy niggers - they're so funny when they're black and stuff".
Or a show about women where the punchline is "those crazy cunts - they're so funny when they're all cunty and stuff".
Cases above were inspired by a colleague's review of "Will & Grace".
It went something like "Do you watch Will and Grace? Those homos are so funny".
Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens
Damn, I wish I'd looked at the front page when I was home at lunch instead of replying to messages in the /. message center; I can't log in here. But DUDE!!!
* Not funny
Not if you're not smart enough to understand the jokes.
Not brainy
The actress who plays Amy holds a PhD in neuroscience (note that she plays a neuroscientist). Nobel winning astrophysicist Dr. George Smoot guest starred in an episode; he's a fan. Hilarious line from Dr. Smoot: "With all due respects, Dr. Cooper, but are you on crack?" Stephen Hawking is a fan as well and guest starred twice (Sheldon's reaction when Hawking pointed out a math error Cooper had made had me rolling on the floor). Not brainy? WTF? Of course, my answer to #1 explains #2, for example in The Terminator Decoupling it begins with an electrical terminator but the episode is about them riding on a train with Summer Glau.
Not relevant
With all due respect, Dr. alphatel, but are you on crack? Not only has Dr. Smoot and Dr. Hawking guest starred, so has Buzz Aldrin (you know, the guy who went to the moon with Neil Armstrong?) and most of the casts of ST:OS and ST:NG, most of whom play themselves. Slashdotter Wil Wheaton (I'll point out that he's Wesley Crusher since I doubt you're a nerd) is a recurring guest. If you think it isn't relevant I'm wondering if maybe you're on the wrong site? I guess you think HHGTG is not funny, brainy, or relevant, either.
Sheesh, dumb kids.
mcgrew here, I'll log in tonight and verify my identity.
PS, the moderators got it wrong (unless Wheaton was moderating in which case "flamebait" was indeed accurate). Whoever modded you up doesn't belong here any more than you do.
Obviously you're going to get flame baited here, but those of us that enjoy art would agree. The show sucks. Can't watch it. Its the worst sitcom I've seen in years. It has the quality writing, acting and directing of a Disney Channel show.
Well.. maybe. Or Maybe not. But Definitely not sort of.
Not to be "overly critical of everything" but you just had two typos.
Teh first typo was a normal geek letter transposition I illustrated in the first word of this sentence, the second wasn't a typo but rather British spelling. Both show that he wasn't using a spell checker which shows that he is, in fact, literate.
When you bash fans of that show you're bashing Buzz Aldrin, Stephen Hawking, Nobel-winning astrophysicist George Smoot, and the actor Wil Wheaton, all of whom have said publicly that they are fans.
If you don't think it's funny it's because you're not smart enough to understand the humor. In fact, my daughter bought the first two seasons on DVD for me saying "I know you'll like this, you'll get all the jokes."
Sorry for your lack of intelligence, son.
Free Martian Whores!