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Turing's Segway-based patrol robot can give humans a ride
Security robots typically have to operate by themselves, which can be a problem when intruders get pushy. Turing Video has a simple answer to this, however: give human security officers a lift. It just premiered a security robot, Nimbo, whose Segway-based design includes a unique "Ride-On Mode" that lets a passenger hop on and travel at up to 11MPH. The bot is designed to autonomously patrol areas and deliver audiovisual warnings if it catches a trespasser with its computer vision (based on tech like Intel RealSense), but this helps its organic counterparts respond to alerts or supplement the machine's own coverage.
Drowned security robot wasn't a victim of foul play
By now you've probably heard of that security robot that fell into a fountain in Washington, DC-- it's practically the stuff of legend as far as the internet is concerned. But what really happened on that tragic day? We're starting to get a clearer picture. Bisnow has learned that the robot, a Knightscope K5 nicknamed Steve, was neither the victim of a pushy human nor showing signs of trouble before it took its fateful plunge. It was supposed to follow a prescribed route that kept it out of harm's way, so the robot had to have made a decision to veer off the beaten path. Management and security staff had trained with the robot days before, too. But what was the cause?
ICYMI: Deaf translation gloves, mind-controlled UAVs and more
#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-28536{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-28536, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-28536{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-28536").style.display="none";}catch(e){} Today on In Case You Missed It: Two college students from the University of Washington won an invention prize at a MIT competition for their SignAloud gloves, which translate the words deaf or mute people sign into spoken words. University of Florida held a drone race with mind-control headsets as the controllers. And China's National University of Defense Technology made a robot that can tase people. If you too know about (and marvel at) the all-girl, pop metal band BabyMetal, check out the Super Mario Maker version. As always, please share any great tech or science videos you find by using the #ICYMI hashtag on Twitter for @mskerryd.
ALSOK unveils its giant, ultra-cute and friendly security bot, An9-PR
If ALSOK's latest security / guidance robot looks a bit familiar -- well, we've seen his kind before. The company's latest offering - the An9-PR is an update of its previous bot -- the better-named Reborg Q. The An9-PR is a multi-tasker, meant for showroom floors and malls, where it can display advertisements, directions to the restroom, and missing children alerts on any of its three touchscreen LCDS, and it's got WiFi and face recognition capabilities, making him a decent security guard, too! The robot weigh about 440 pounds, and is on four wheels to make it easier to move. The An9-PR will apparently go on sale in Japan starting in March of 2010, for about $150,000. There's another shot of this cutie after the break. [Via Engadget Chinese]
Korean researchers show off "Securo" security robot
It looks like the international fraternity of security robots could soon be about to welcome a new member, as a team of researchers from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology recently announced that its "Securo" bot has passed a test that had it navigating a one kilometer long course by all by itself. That was apparently done with the aid of its built-in GPS and a laser image scanner, which allowed it to motor along at a speed of 5.4 km/h while avoiding obstacles and staying within an error range of 10 cm. That, the researchers say, could also make it suitable for delivering military supplies or performing surveillance, although there's no indication just yet as to when it might actually see service.
ORFO robot put on chaperon duty at Korean school
In a bit of a step down after serving as a security guard at last year's World Cup, the German-designed ORFO robot is now being put on what amounts to chaperon duty at a middle school in South Korea as part of a trial project, which could eventually see the robots keeping an eye on students across the country. As at the World Cup, the robot packs a camera and microphone to monitor its surroundings, and can either be manually controlled or programmed to follow a specific route using its built-in GPS. Unlike some other security bots, however, ORFO isn't able to directly intervene in problematic situations itself, with it only able to issue a warning that a human security guard is on the way. [Via The Register]
