Hybrid robot runs on gasoline

We've seen a lot of wacky approaches to the mobile power needs of robots, but this "hybrid" robotics platform solves the problem in that most American of ways: with an internal combustion engine. Using a 2.5-horsepower Subaru engine and a car alternator, developer Ken Gracey was able to build an outdoor bot with what he describes as an "unlimited power budget." Buffered by a battery that essentially acts as a large capacitor, the juice for all the systems on the bot is generated by the engine, a solution that will probably make the coming robot uprising sound like a lawnmower rally. Check a video of the bot in action after the break.

[Via Hack A Day]

[Jeremy K. @ Sep 23rd 2007 10:39AM]

omgwtfbbq... steorn is totally pwn'd!11!

[John @ Sep 23rd 2007 11:01AM]

I for one, welcome our lawnmower robot overlords...

[Grizz @ Sep 23rd 2007 11:35AM]

I think Engadget is confusing robot and RC Car.

[Eldiablo @ Sep 23rd 2007 11:12AM]

Right, I think we all need to get onto burning more fossil fuels, as quickly as possible. The sooner they're all gone, the sooner the Robot uprising can be stopped in their tracks.

[Bloobie @ Sep 23rd 2007 11:21AM]

Ah, we learn so little from Hollywood. Once they run out of fossil fuels, the robots will just turn to us humans for battery power. :)

[Dr Buzz0 @ Sep 23rd 2007 1:48PM]

How did I know this would have a "fossil fuel" comment in it? Or "I thought we were trying to move away from gasoline"

The reason that it makes sense to build a robot that runs on gasoline is the same reason that cars run on gasoline and probably will continue to do so for the next few years at least. Gasoline and other hydrocarbon fuels offer considerably better energy density than any battery-based technology currently avaliable (although they are getting better). It's also much easier to refuel and preforms better with less expensive and complex equipment than any hydrogen fuel cell based system and can provide more power than something like solar energy could in such a device.

Granted, the internal combustion engine is something that will (hopefully) be replaced by something more sustainable and with comparable practicality and energy production. Batteries have gotten a lot better, but they've pretty much hit the theoretical ceiling of electrochemical storage. Nano-capacitors look very interesting and hydrate-based hydrogen systems have some promise too.

But seriously do we need to bring up the idiocy of badmouthing a gas powered robot from your coal-powered computer? Seriously... it makes sense and I'm really a lot more concerned about power plants, vehicles, industrial processes and wild coal fires in that whole area.

I don't expect the price of fuel to be effected or the world to get significantly hotter because of the robots...

[Eldiablo @ Sep 23rd 2007 7:07PM]

Whooooshhhhh - The the sound of the sarcasm from my original post going straight over your head. :)

[Grant @ Sep 23rd 2007 8:50PM]

I diagree,
the sooner that occurs, the sooner they will turn to renewable energy sources.
Let them build their army, THEN we use up all the fossil fuels.
they won't have enough gas to power themselves to upgrade!

[Zach @ Sep 23rd 2007 12:00PM]

I thought we were trying to move away from gasoline.

[adaminc @ Sep 23rd 2007 12:45PM]

I find the steam powered robots more impressive

[Spyvie @ Sep 23rd 2007 12:46PM]

This is in no way a robot.

This is an RC car with a crude hybrid powertrain.

[Ken @ Sep 24th 2007 11:24AM]

This robot is demonstrated in an R/C mode, but it may also be autonomous or guided by GPS. The purpose of that video clip was simply a demo under R/C of the engine-alternator under power - that's all.

[BoneJob @ Sep 23rd 2007 2:52PM]

What does this "robot" do?

[pyro @ Sep 23rd 2007 3:58PM]

If you read the article, the reason why it's not mechanically powered by the engine is because he wanted it bi-directional and theres no transmissions for engines like that. It's still very inefficient and stupid. Not worthy to be posted here if you ask me.

[Wwhat @ Sep 23rd 2007 6:29PM]

Might give some student or tinkerer or engineer an idea that's more useful, perhaps attach it to a satellite phone when you are a billionaire going around the world alone in your plane.
Or if you need to power something small on the northpole or something, electrically heated socks maybe.

[pyro @ Sep 23rd 2007 7:20PM]

@Wwhat

ya, thats what a generator is. That's all this is too, a battery powered rc car with a generator on it. There's nothing new about this.

[Grant @ Sep 23rd 2007 8:53PM]

Don't you all see?
It's a robot piggyback on, driving that car!
Once it gets roadrage, we're all doomed!!!

[strider_mt2k @ Sep 23rd 2007 6:34PM]

That is some beautiful machining work on the base of that thing.

Oh, and almost anyone who says anything about what a robot is or isn't is most likely not involved with robots in any way, shape or form.

Folks who are tend to understand.

[nih @ Sep 23rd 2007 11:35PM]

What's hilarious is when robots are everywhere, it's the normal people who will own them, not you robot elitist dorks living in basements.

[xc7x @ Sep 23rd 2007 6:50PM]

i didn't see a robot..is it controlling that rc car?

[nih @ Sep 23rd 2007 11:30PM]

Stop calling these wheeled carts 'robots'. Robots have legs or arms.

Beeping is also an acceptable substitute for legs or arms (it's ok R2, I got ya covered.)

[atrain @ Sep 24th 2007 1:07AM]

unlike batteries, gas offers higher energy concentration, longer run times, and continuous power until it runs out of fuel. Batteries on the other hand tend to have lower overall energy densities, less continual output, and tend to reduce in power as they are discharged.
For heavy duty applications, gas is the way to go.

The drivetrain is electric because electricity offers more torque at lower speeds and is more efficient on startup. it also allows independent control or 2 or more main driving wheels.

So, while this solution is not pretty nor environmentally friendly, it is a very effective and powerful base for great projects to run on, offering long range, high output, and lots of power.

[CB @ Sep 24th 2007 6:56AM]

It's 2007 people! They are still building robots that
'Robowars' were building in the late 80's.
Every robot I've seen is just another take on an 1800's animitron, levers, wires.

Where's the artificial muscle powered, DNA brain based organobot?

Here's a tip just grow humans without brains..insta-robot. We used to call them slaves, but now we can de-humanise without guilt...until the revolution.

[Dishwasher @ Sep 24th 2007 7:22PM]

May I ask how this is considered a robot? It looks like he made his own RC car...

[Richey @ Sep 25th 2007 11:57AM]

If some of you would read the specifications you would find that it is capable of autonomous mode complete with active sensors feeding a small processor.It can also run on biofuel alcohol.This inventor is way ahead of the game.What are you supposed to propel it with? Cosmic rays from the ether maybe?Give it a rest.

[BatteryAcid @ Sep 26th 2007 6:15PM]

I'm glad there finally integrating American culture into robots.