turtlebot
Latest
Willow Garage talks TurtleBot 2 (video)
Want to try out ROS (Robot Operating System) on an official Willow Garage product, but don't have the $400,000 required to pick up our old pal, PR2? You're precisely the audience the company is looking to hit with the TurtleBot, a (relatively) low-cost robotics kit (around $1,500) that looks a bit like small shelving united seated atop a Roomba. A couple of months back, the Bay Area-based company unveiled a sequel built on top of a new base, Yujin Robotics's Kobuki, which promises more speed, letting the plucky little 'bot run over small bumps. Pick up the full kit and you're also getting a Kinect sensor and a low-end laptop. Willow's also got some add-ons like a small robotic arm that you can use to modify the thing. Stay tuned after the break to check out video of the 'bot's creators talking up the reptilian robot.
POLYRO humanoid robot can be built by you, looks more like K-9 than C-3PO
It may bear closer resemblance to an upright dog than a human (check out those ears!), but POLYRO here is the least frightening example of a do-it-yourself robot that we've seen to date. We're not sold on the humanoid's name as an acronym (oPen sOurce friendLY RObot), and the instructions and assembly photos are rather hit or miss, but this rollin' rover definitely scores some points for looks. Prepare to get down and dirty with a jigsaw, drill press, and "safety equipment," before the latest addition to your family is ready to roll across the living room floor on its iRobot base. Instructables has posted a full shopping list, including a 10.1-inch netbook, ROS (Robot OS), and a Kinect. If you're feeling brave, clear some time in the schedule and space in the garage after heading over to our source link.
Kinect-powered TurtleBot now up for pre-order
Initially, you might be excited to hear that Willow Garage is now accepting pre-orders for its Kinect robot, the TurtleBot. For just $1199.99, you get everything necessary to construct and program the TurtleBot, and the idea of programming it to fetch victuals from the kitchen seems awfully keen. That is until you consider the amount of time required for the TurtleBot to achieve sentience. How long could it possibly take? Weeks, days, hours? One minute it's bringing you a delicious, flaky croissant, and the next it's serving up a steaming hot plate of human extinction. As the video after the break explains, this thing is literally designed to track your skeleton and map out your home. Think about it, and don't say we didn't warn you.
