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Intel Demos A New Robotics Controller Running Ubuntu (hackerboards.com)

Posted by EditorDavid on from the plug-and-play-robot-brains dept.

Intel demoed their new robotics compute module this week. Scheduled for release in 2017, it's equipped with various sensors, including a depth-sensing camera, and it runs Ubuntu on a quad-core Atom. Slashdot reader DeviceGuru writes: Designed for researchers, makers, and robotics developers, the device is a self contained, candy-bar sized compute module ready to pop into a robot. It's augmented with a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, GPS, and IR, as well as proximity, motion, barometric pressure sensors. There's also a snap-on battery.

The device is preinstalled with Ubuntu 14.04 with Robot Operating System (ROS) Indigo, and can act as a supervisory processor to, say, an Arduino subsystem that controls a robot's low-level functions. Intel demoed a Euclid driven robot running an obstacle avoidance and follow-me tasks, including during CEO Brian Krzanich's keynote (YouTube video).
Intel says they'll also release instructions on how to create an accompanying robot with a 3D printer. This plug-and-play robotics module is a proof-of-concept device -- the article includes some nice pictures -- but it already supports programming in Node.js (and other high-level languages), and has a web UI that lets you monitor performance in real-time and watch the raw camera feeds.

21 comments

  1. The next upgrade... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    To 16.04 is when systemd^H^H^H^H^H skynet will become self aware.

  2. Javascript on a robot?!?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Blech! A robot programmed by the horrid Javascript language. Is there anyplace safe from that vile demon?

    1. Re:Javascript on a robot?!?! by K.+S.+Kyosuke · · Score: 1

      I'm pretty sure you could run Lua(JIT) or Chez on it.

      --
      Ezekiel 23:20
  3. It's got collusion avoidance! by RogueWarrior65 · · Score: 1

    Cool! Maybe we need to install these all over Washington.

    1. Re:It's got collusion avoidance! by vlad30 · · Score: 1

      Tesla could use a couple

      --
      Your'e all thinking it, I just said it for you
    2. Re:It's got collusion avoidance! by RogueWarrior65 · · Score: 1

      I think you mean "SolarCity"

  4. How much and where do I buy? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    This is my dream computer. I've proposed it to a few companies that I've worked for, glad someone's finally making it. Where do I buy?

  5. About Intel's Response to Robotics. Really? by LifesABeach · · Score: 1

    When I think Intel, I believe that their robotics introduction should be a little bit more than some chinese knock off of a toy. Try this out for a robotic controller design. 128 motors asynchronously; with position feed back for each. 1024 16-bit input asynchronous sensors. Maybe, just maybe, the H1B's at Intel should learn to start eating red meat. And if this is the best they can come up with, maybe retraining is in order here?

    1. Re:About Intel's Response to Robotics. Really? by SlaveToTheGrind · · Score: 2

      128 motors asynchronously; with position feed back for each. 1024 16-bit input asynchronous sensors. Maybe, just maybe, the H1B's at Intel should learn to start eating red meat.

      Maybe, just maybe, they want to sell more than 3 of them?

    2. Re:About Intel's Response to Robotics. Really? by LifesABeach · · Score: 1

      Maybe, just maybe there are more than 3 people willing to do more than be amused by some blinking moving light can. Think 3 Laws.

    3. Re:About Intel's Response to Robotics. Really? by SlaveToTheGrind · · Score: 1

      Because of course those are the only two choices -- "some blinking moving light can" or some massively overengineered boondoggle that has zero real-world applications.

    4. Re:About Intel's Response to Robotics. Really? by LifesABeach · · Score: 1

      I was thinking of harvesting water melons. Even those who do would not mind this kind of help. Maybe you at your job could use some help picking up the grass?

    5. Re:About Intel's Response to Robotics. Really? by SlaveToTheGrind · · Score: 1

      Oh, wow. Dude. You can throw out incoherent insults. Everything else you said must be right 'n' stuff.

      That being the case, here's what you should do immediately if not sooner: Design it yourself, sell hundreds of thousands, and retire a billionaire by age 17. I'll be looking for the Kickstarter project for a 128-axis motion controller any day now. LOLOLOLOL

    6. Re:About Intel's Response to Robotics. Really? by LifesABeach · · Score: 1

      In order to do that, I would need a prototype. If I had a prototype, then all I would have to do is demo it in a Mellon field. If I demo'ed it in a Mellon field, then I would get advertising via the various news outlets. I would then have more investors contacting me than all the VC's of FaceBook. Why do I need to share any future funds with Kickstarter? And why would I consider selling a tool I made for myself? I could use my prototype to build prototypes, and with the funds generated harvesting Water Melons pay back the borrowed moneys from certain VC's that lent me that money. Then maybe I can consider other products to harvest, like anything associated with minimum wages. I promise, I won't automate your job of gathering grass for your supervisor.

  6. Lack of comments by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Wow. I really thought this was a prime /. topic. Was expecting to see people either talk about how they might use it or how they had built their own using toothpicks and solder. 9 posts. Just wow.

    --XYZZY--

    1. Re:Lack of comments by serviscope_minor · · Score: 1

      Eh.

      It's just not that exciting, really. People who work on robots already have control systems. Often those take the form of low level MCUs for the timing sensitive stuff and a bigger, faster processor for everything else, such as a small form factor PC of some sort. The thing is, small form factor PCs already exist in quantity. Other than that it's got an IMU (useful but not rare), a bunch of peripherals like bluetooth and wifi, which are again useful but not rare. And it runs ROS which runs on any old PC anyway and so is useful, but again not rare. Oh and it's got a depth camera which is again useful but not rare. Not to say this isn't useful as an entry to the market, but it's not exactly revolutionary. The only thing that'll really matter is price: if it's cheaper than buying the separate parts then it'll be interesting.

      It has a battery, but a snap-on battery isn't vastly useful for robotics: you'll need a big battery to power the motors and you can just hang the computer off that.

      --
      SJW n. One who posts facts.
    2. Re:Lack of comments by roger_that · · Score: 1

      Love your Adventure reference. :) Perhaps these controllers could help explore the Colossal Cave. :)
       

  7. Ubuntu? by ebvwfbw · · Score: 1

    Seems like Ubuntu is becoming the cockroach of Linux. They don't care about security, do crazy crap, it's junk. Why are companies using it when they know places like the Government and companies can't use it for that reason?

    Yea, I'm a bit bitter because some good stuff is out there, only on Ubuntu though. For that reason I can't use it.

    1. Re:Ubuntu? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Because it's still Linux and it's not Winblows or Mac. No matter what Ubuntu releases, because it's still essentially an easy to install Debian Linux at it's core, it can always be modified to fit your needs and security requirements.

      It's always amazed me that all the years Linux enthusiasts have longed for Linux to be recognized and used by more people, then Ubuntu comes along and makes huge strides to become recognized and used by more and more people, and then those same enthusiasts put it down for being the "scourge" of Linux. I guess they really didn't want Linux to be recognized? It just confuses me. It's like when people reject what was once their favorite music bands that become tremendously popular just because they are popular.

  8. Integration? by NicknameUnavailable · · Score: 1

    How long until this makes it to the systemd feature list?