RobuDog fetches, plays dead, has WiFi

France's Robosoft has just announced a new bot model set to roll off of its assembly line, dubbed the RobuDog. The Windows XP-programmable canine was shown at RoboCup this year and will be made available for public consumption sometime this Fall. The little pup has a 500MHz onboard processor, 802.11b/g, 17 joints, 2 infrared sensors, an "intelligent" color camera, and floor-contact sensors on each foot. The dog also features articulated ankles, which make it easier for it to find its footing and allow the bot do things like kick soccer balls or dance (if you're interested in those sorts of activities). Additionally, the dog can interface with Microsoft's Robotics Studio 1.5, which allows you to create actions in virtual simulations which you can upload back to the bot. Available soon for 3,200 Euros, or about $4397.

[Via Gearlog]

[L. Cyphre @ Jul 11th 2007 8:07AM]

That's one ugly mutt.

[Adam Filipowicz @ Jul 11th 2007 8:14AM]

Thats quite expensive for just a bunch of servos and some circuits..

i was thinking 500 bucks max

[strider_mt2k @ Jul 11th 2007 8:20AM]

While I like the WindowsXP thing, it leads one to ask:
Is it's head blue, or is it displaying a fatal error condition?

I'll be here all week folks, try the salad bar, -GOOD NIGHT!

[Geoff @ Jul 11th 2007 9:27AM]

I don't see why this thing costs over 4 grand, and the Sony AIBOS, which seemed to me more advanced, cost less than half that.

[Richard Lai @ Jul 11th 2007 9:58AM]

It plays dead, like by just switching it off?

[wakka_wakka @ Jul 11th 2007 1:14PM]

... or when XP crashes, but that may be more like a seizure than straight playing dead

[Matt E. @ Jul 11th 2007 11:28AM]

Meh, I clicked on their WiFiBot link...not what I expecting. I thought they meant WifeyBot.

[t-bone @ Jul 11th 2007 12:05PM]

I like my pet dogs, robotic or not, to have two eyes. One is just creepy.

[wakka_wakka @ Jul 11th 2007 1:12PM]

Finally! Dog-enabled WiFi!

I guess it's a good thing they started with a robotic dog, my projects of doing this to my dog haven't exactly worked out, and XP was just awful too the poor guy.

I kid.

[mike @ Jul 11th 2007 8:09PM]

*Robo puppy commence licking*
*Licking in progress*
*Licking complete*

[Gored Bushed @ Jul 12th 2007 9:51AM]

Too bad the price could have been under four grand, you are paying $398 for now defaunt XP.