iRobot adds swank mapping kit to PackBot

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

[Loban @ Dec 12th 2007 4:48PM]

iRobot rocks so hard. I love my Roomba.

[DeoWulf @ Dec 12th 2007 4:53PM]

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.

[D @ Dec 15th 2007 3:37PM]

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.

[Ike Skelton @ Dec 12th 2007 4:59PM]

Why does every device have to have an 'i' before it these days?

[Ike Skelton @ Dec 12th 2007 5:01PM]

Hmm, I guess I'm not the only one with these feelings.

[Matthew Hilario @ Dec 12th 2007 5:05PM]

iDontknow.

[medel @ Dec 12th 2007 5:02PM]

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...

[Ike Skelton @ Dec 12th 2007 5:12PM]

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.

[DeoWulf @ Dec 12th 2007 6:11PM]

Didn't check the dates. It's still every overused. I'm tired of it, quite frankly.

[Matthew Hilario @ Dec 12th 2007 5:03PM]

it plays doom with maphacks.

[Matthew Hilario @ Dec 12th 2007 5:03PM]

iDontknow.

[Future Technologies @ Dec 12th 2007 5:09PM]

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 ...

[skhawaja @ Dec 13th 2007 2:13AM]

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~~

[skhawaja @ Dec 13th 2007 2:19AM]

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 :]