iPhone robot is ambulatory, still wants physical keyboard

Robots are awesome, we can all probably agree on that. Robots made from iPhones are basically an extension of that awesomeness, crossed with an element of unimaginable, ludicrous fun, which is why we're pleasantly surprised to see that such a device finally exists. Using a jailbroken iPhone 3G running some Ruby code, an Arduino CPU, a TA7291P motor, and 4 AA batteries, the creator is able to pilot the bot via WiFi from a nearby computer, all the while recording its view for later playback. The results look pretty cool, and trust us, you're definitely going to want to check out the video after the break. As far as we can tell, by the way, the lyrics to the song in the video are "iPhone with keyboard," which seemingly refers to this, um... iPhone with keyboard we saw earlier today -- apparently from the hands of the same craftsman, who seems like a very busy guy. Especially if he wrote the song!

[Via iPhone World]

[kickflipmcgee @ Nov 6th 2008 2:20AM]

all your money are belong to us

[Jax @ Nov 6th 2008 1:20AM]

The iPhones finally gain the ability to take over the world.

[ch4s3r @ Nov 6th 2008 1:24AM]

For many I am sure this would be a welcome regime.

[Hawk Pidgeon @ Nov 6th 2008 1:24AM]

Nice lyrics. Props to whoever wrote that song.

[James @ Nov 6th 2008 1:35AM]

So is this the music that turned iEye into what he is today?

[Patriks7 @ Nov 6th 2008 1:25AM]

"unimaginable, ludicrous fun"
But if it would be a WM phone it wouldn't even be here...

[UnixSystemsEngineer @ Nov 6th 2008 1:30AM]

But as long as the headline was as funny as this one, I'd still laugh.

[Fernando @ Nov 6th 2008 1:27AM]

The N810 dog is awesomer :V

[Michael @ Nov 6th 2008 1:37AM]

Now, if it could relay the video from the iphone to the computer and simultaneously output the video from a webcam on the computer...we could have telepresence on the iphone!

[Daniel @ Nov 6th 2008 1:53AM]

that thing hanging off the front reminds me too much of a penis.

[SimonRichards @ Nov 6th 2008 1:58AM]

EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!

[XIYL @ Nov 6th 2008 4:03AM]

iPhones are Daleks. It all makes sense now...

The only emotion iPhone has is hate.

[thazlett @ Nov 6th 2008 5:15AM]

lol thats the next doctor who episode!

[Zinger314 @ Nov 6th 2008 2:33AM]

You'd think a phone with an ANDROID OS would come up with this first. :P

[skeptical @ Nov 6th 2008 2:43AM]

How about a mod that would get the iPhone to work properly with 3G? Oh wait, not going to happen...

[Daniel Cheung @ Nov 6th 2008 2:46AM]

Wow! I recognize that base...it's a model kit from Tamiya for a robot mouse that will hug walls as it runs.

[Shunnabunich @ Nov 6th 2008 3:23AM]

Now all you need is to have a second jailbroken iPhone controlling the iPhone-bot over WiFi with the accelerometer. Then we're going at ludicrous speed.

[Matthew C @ Nov 6th 2008 3:45AM]

And you know what would make that even more Amazing!? if that iPhone had a KEYBOARD!

yeah ... imagine that

[DamienS Sturdy @ Nov 7th 2008 2:16PM]

Ludicrous speed indeed. i will be working on a touch of this, but it'll be a few hundred quid cheaper since I'll be leaving off the expensive Apple device.

[JJ @ Nov 6th 2008 7:41AM]

You don't have to imagine, didn't you see the link...

http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/05/jailbroken-iphone-3g-gets-external-keyboard-says-hello/

[SimonMac @ Nov 6th 2008 5:02AM]

iSkynet?!

[Jody Clarke @ Nov 6th 2008 6:34AM]

I for one welcome our new iPhone bot overlords.

[Adisharr @ Nov 6th 2008 7:04AM]

Another one of these.. Color me unexcited.

[GON @ Nov 6th 2008 7:49AM]

"iPhone robot is ambulatory, still wants physical keyboard"

No I think he just wants copy & Paste.

[weldo @ Nov 6th 2008 11:08AM]

Sorry, less than impressed. Looks to me that the iPhone is just along for the ride and the Arduino is doing all the work. If the iPhone was controlling the motors then I'd be impressed.

[Dinsdale Pirahna @ Nov 6th 2008 12:22PM]

OMG and IRobot somebody call Will Smith.

[Dinsdale Pirahna @ Nov 6th 2008 12:23PM]

OMG a Typo.

Oops.

[danks @ Nov 6th 2008 2:57PM]

he really loves apple. he even has a ipod shirt on.