iRobot adds swank mapping kit to PackBot
By Darren Murph 
posted Dec 12th 2007 4:23PM
posted Dec 12th 2007 4:23PM
iRobot has unleashed yet another semi-autonomous robot ready to take on whatever the battlefield throws at it, but this one's got a much better feel of where it's headed. The PackBot with Mapping Kit ups the ante by "creating a real-time two-dimensional structural map for the soldier while on the move in theater," essentially enabling the operator (and his / her squad) to see what's just ahead without having to slip into potentially dangerous scenarios to find out. Apparently, the kit utilizes an array of sensors and artificial intelligence to relay the structural map while "simultaneously detecting and avoiding obstacles in its path." Heck, let's just strap a railgun on this thing and let the soldier kick back at the base.[Thanks, Jonas]
Read - Press release
Read - PackBot with Mapping Kit homepage
iRobot rocks so hard. I love my Roomba.
All I can say is stop adding 'i' to the beginning of things. It's old. It meant 'internet' back in the day. Only Apple should really be allowed to still use it.
There was this guy named Asimov. He wrote a classic book series called "I, Robot", long before apple, movies, or the modern PC age (i.e., before Commodoe 64's and Vic20's). Hence, iRobot is an homage. If anything, they should be the only one's using the i. Jobs doesn't invent, he just repackages with minimal features, high styling, high price, and does an awesome job of manipulating the media and market.
And if anyone is thinking about weaponizing, they have a wurking relationship of some sort announced on their website with MetalStorm. Google Metal Storm for some cool test firings.
Why does every device have to have an 'i' before it these days?
Hmm, I guess I'm not the only one with these feelings.
iDontknow.
To both of those above, iRobot has been around since 91. Apple started abusing the i in what, 98 with the iMac? (I could be wrong on this one) I don't see the need to bash iRobot for their name. It's not like their products all have 'i's in them...
Regardless of when they started using it, so many gadgets have the 'i' in front of them these days. It just so happened that I asked why in a thread dedicated to the originator of the 'i' based names.
Didn't check the dates. It's still every overused. I'm tired of it, quite frankly.
it plays doom with maphacks.
iDontknow.
Looks compact and rigid, certainly an upgrade to what they had before. So it seems it still doesn't have "true AI". Instead it helps the operator to understand the environment. Good effort. We still have a long road ahead of us when it comes to robotics ...
something that I can pilot AND it avoids obstacles at the same time?
I think we've come a long way already - a machine that changes it's form and direction to accommodate the commands being received seems like a big step towards automation - if it really works well then...
i41 :p~~
something that I can pilot AND it avoids obstacles at the same time?
I think we've come a long way already - a machine that changes it's form and direction to accommodate the commands being received seems like a big step towards automation - if it really works well then...
i41 :p~~
You guys should have also included in that photo the PLAYSTATION controllers that are part of their Accessories :]