Plug-and-Play Robots

Posted 20 Sep 2004 at 15:45 UTC by steve

A new Scientific American article describes the forthcoming robot chassis from Tom Burick's White Box Robotics. These PC-Bots will be offered with a combination of proprietary software from Microsoft and Evolution Robotics for those who want a plug-and-play robot. Robot builders and experiments, however, will be able to purchase a "bare-bones" version of the robot with a Mini-ITX motherboard that can run experimenter-friendly Open Source software such Linux, allowing the use of robot control software from Orocos, Player/Stage, the Rossum Project, and other standards-based robot control packages. For more information, see our previous articles on Tom Burick and White Box Robotics.

Plug-and-Play Robots. , posted 21 Sep 2004 at 20:33 UTC by Sleepsalot » (Observer)

This looks like it could be some fun. But the cost will be the deciding factor. I didn't see any prices listed. I would be interested in seeing what the cost would be.

Wayne

WhiteBox Robotics Prices?, posted 22 Sep 2004 at 00:32 UTC by Chief Robotman » (Journeyer)

Previously listed on their press release... they were originally targeting to come in with a price of around $1,000/2,000 for the basic hobby unit.

Chief Robotman

where are the legs?, posted 23 Sep 2004 at 04:26 UTC by mikegotis » (Journeyer)

where are the legs?

the legs are called wheels (balls), posted 27 Sep 2004 at 04:04 UTC by Timster » (Master)

On the drive train in the base are balls that function as wheels to stabalize the robot.