SnoMote robots could autonomously explore Antarctic

We've seen a couple robotic efforts to explore the Arctic and the Antarctic, but they've all been remotely-operated -- unlike the SnoMote, a new bot being developed at the Georgia Tech that can navigate itself around ice and snow. Packs of the mini-snowmobile-based SnoMotes can negotiate with each other and "bid" on locations to investigate, and navigate by classifying microscopic fissures in the icy terrain. The bots haven't made it to the Antarctic yet, but they're apparently handling simulations quite well, and the plan is for teams of 40 to 50 of the $10,000 machines to wander the ice collecting data points for climate change models. Sure sure -- and the next thing you know, the Antarctic is the flashpoint of the revolution. Good plan, guys.

[NZ~Miles @ May 29th 2008 11:50PM]

They have handlebars?! What miniature people are gonna ride them?

[ChuChu @ May 29th 2008 11:58PM]

^^^ If I read this comment using the Zoolander voice it suddenly becomes 10x funnier.

[computer.dude.28 @ May 29th 2008 11:59PM]

Either Gnomes or Southern Elves, not quite sure yet

[ryan @ May 30th 2008 1:49AM]

they're clearly designed for the elves.

[OneLove @ May 30th 2008 1:25PM]

for santa's helpers. TONKA!

[Ken Klassy @ May 30th 2008 12:13AM]

can't wait till they get here. should be fun to watch.

[Bender Bending Rodriguez @ May 30th 2008 12:13AM]

I hope that is a stock photo or this project is a waste of money.

[Flashpoint @ May 30th 2008 12:30AM]

BABY GOT BACK

Usually everyone comments on the Korean women in the pics. No love for the sista's here.

[low tech @ May 30th 2008 2:41AM]

But you can't see her back from this angle!

[nxtiak @ May 30th 2008 6:19AM]

Oh man, thanks. You gave me quick a chuckle!

[Hotrod @ May 30th 2008 6:42AM]

Flashpoint voted up!

I work at one of the casinos here in Detroit, and 95% of the black women I see have nice, big, round asses. The last 6 girls I've slept with have been black, and as cliché as it sounds, I'm not going back.

[Cassini @ May 30th 2008 8:30AM]

I've got love for 'em.

[Frank Furter @ May 30th 2008 8:59AM]

@Hotrod - and by 'slept with', you mean 'spanked it to while surfing porn in my parents basement', correct?

[Hotrod @ May 30th 2008 1:55PM]

@Frankfurter

Sure why not, whatever makes you feel better about yourself. So I guess because I post on a gadget blog I'm a zit faced scrub white guy, that wears skateboarder shoes even though I don't skateboard, have blonde hair, and im also scrawny as hell right? You sir, are what they call a "hater". Or maybe you just have something against straight males, Mr. Hotdog man.

[go seki @ May 30th 2008 12:42AM]

hmm - forward penetrating radar or .. CREVACE! .. sure is cold down here!

[Jaws @ May 30th 2008 12:44AM]

I am wondering why Georgia Tech is developing snow related exploration vehicles...

The lack of snow seems to preclude much experience with that medium...

[azlaxkid42 @ May 30th 2008 12:56AM]

that was a lot of complicated words to say "it isnt cold in georgia"
but you did sound about 20 times smarter.

[Ferdinand @ May 30th 2008 1:19AM]

I wonder how much that model was paid to pose with this 'SnoMote'? Models should charge extra for selling their dignity to pose with such silly products!

[pbase @ May 30th 2008 1:28AM]

Why do you assume she's a model? It doesn't say so in the post. Do you have a difficult time with the notion that she may have actually worked on this project?

[Zorque @ May 30th 2008 2:53AM]

I don't know if you're saying women shouldn't be doing science, or if you're saying black people shouldn't be doing science, but something's wrong with you either way.

[Eh @ May 30th 2008 1:54AM]

I wonder what happens when it encounters the Cobra Squad snomotes.

[Reader @ May 30th 2008 1:57AM]

This will not work. The Yetis will crush them with ease. Even if they survive the Yetis, they then have to worry about Predators from space.

[Dave @ May 30th 2008 6:52AM]

Fool! Yeti are "found" in the Himalayas, not in either the Arctic or Antarctic.
However I can imagine penguins hijacking these for a quick race round a glacier.

[vulgardaclown @ May 30th 2008 9:29AM]

THATS WHAT THE HANDLE BARS ARE FOR!!!!

[B @ May 30th 2008 10:53AM]

$10,000 to torment a bunch of penguins. I can go to my local aquarium for like

[ScienceClassless @ May 30th 2008 1:59AM]

Hot college women working the research devices! I like it! Carry on... Don't let my 'observation' make you get all 'Hawthorne affected.'

[Kanirk @ May 30th 2008 2:36AM]

The lady pictured is Dr. Howard. She used to work for NASA. Taught C++ while I was an undergrad at Tech. Sharp Lady.

[Valgas @ May 30th 2008 2:40AM]

That's sexy. Especially because, you know......... she's hot.

Yeah anyway. Snomote, hot sista.. autonomous exploring and shit. realy interesting.

Dr. Howard huh? Where's her webpage?

[j.d.ripper @ May 30th 2008 4:50AM]

Dr Howard ? Where were professors like that when I was in univ.
At first I though she was a student, too young to be a "Dr" ! :-p

[TheTribune @ May 30th 2008 11:01AM]

Where is Dr. Fine and the other Dr. Howard?

[nxtiak @ May 30th 2008 6:20AM]

I vote for more black women in photos.
They make reading comments enjoyable!

[wud_e @ May 30th 2008 7:18AM]

Can I get yo numba? Can I? Can I? Can I get yo Numba? :P She's got it goin' on.

[Cassini @ May 30th 2008 8:27AM]

Can I hav-eht? Can I hav-eht? Can I? Can I?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m75g_A731q0

[brandon beebox @ May 30th 2008 7:47AM]

flashpoint , she is hot

[Mojo_Yugen @ May 30th 2008 9:23AM]

I am so looking forward to hunting season in the antarctic now.

[Mark Mahorney @ May 30th 2008 10:04AM]

Seriously, those can't be what they're planning to send up there. I bought my kid a remote control snowmobile just about that size. Dern thing tips over on any little bump or hill. I had to fabricate outriggers onto it just to make it usable. What is someone going to go up there and tip them all back over? Those wouldn't make it over a decent sized snowball, let alone across the arctic. Also, the batteries or fuel on one of those wouldn't last more than a few hours at most. Shouldn't put a picture at all, if it's going to be so misleading. Anything going up there would have to be far more substantial, stable, and solar powered.

[Chesbro @ May 30th 2008 10:32AM]

Maybe they will be solar powered. Which will only be good for a small chunk of the year, considering it's dark 24/7 during the winter.

Maybe they should be moon-powered.

[Brian @ May 30th 2008 10:34AM]

Don't these look like Fisher Price or Little Tykes toys?

[Dan @ May 30th 2008 3:32PM]

Yes they do and in fact they pretty much are. The article says they based these on snowmobiles designed for kids.

[Kevin @ May 30th 2008 2:30PM]

Holy crap, it's my old ECE professor!