Fujitsu To Ship Linux Powered Robot in July

Radical Rad writes "The Register is reporting that Fujitsu will be shipping a consumer robot in July called HOAP for Humanoid Open Architecture Platform and it will be running a real-time version of Linux. They plan to release info on the controls system to make it possible to program using C/C++. The 7 kg robot is wired with USB and can have an optional 802.11b transceiver." This thing could be a lot of fun to program and send around the house.

Does Fujitsu have?

[Jeremiah Cornelius]

Do they have a custom Linux distribution for this robot? I have a great name for this! HOAX

Robot

[Original AIDS Monkey]

This thing could be a lot of fun to program and send around the house.

I can just see CowboyNeal now... "Fetch me food, CowbotKneel!"

Willy Wonka

[The Only Druid]

Maybe its me, but every time I see one of these pint-sized robots demonstrated or released, my first impulse is to sing an Oompa-Loompa song in my head. I just picture a crowd of these, milling around my house taking care of random tasks, and singing moral lessons to all my visitors.

Then again, I do wear a purple top hat.

I'm So Smart and So Lazy...

[Anonymous Coward]

...that I'm going to program it to empty my modified bedpan that attaches to my computer chair so I'll never miss an item in Everquest again!

Just don't install the Gimp

[teamhasnoi]

nobody needs a limpy robot.

Re:Tethered?

[DoctorDan]

'I am going to take over the world and exterminate' 'No you're not, the power cable is only 6' long' On par with the inability of daleks to climb stairs...

could it be a security system?

[Cheeze]

i know if i were a robber, and i saw a robot coming after me, i would flip out and find the quickest exit.

it wouldn't be that hard to develop either, just setup a keyword that would stop the robot, and only give that to people that are supposed to be in the house. you don't even have to teach the robot to attack, just to chase after, make noise, and flash some lights if it detects motion. all you need is a cheap camera, motion detection software, and some voice recognition software. I think most of that stuff is already developed.

Switching to Linux

[manseman]

This is good news for companies and institutions that consider switching their desktops to Linux.
The robot would visit each room in the office, tell the occupant that it's about to switch his os, and then plug itself in the computer and start uploading Linux. After the upload is complete the robot could stick around to answer questions and teach the use of Linux.

HOAP?

[Anonymous Coward]

Shouldn't that be GNU/Robbie?

Re:The programming better include...

[HunterWare]

>> I don't think it's in danger of being in a sitution where "through inaction,
>> [it would] allow a human being to come to harm" quite yet.

Actually I think thats the _only_ commandment it's in danger of breaking...

I want one...

[JonWan]

I'll program it to be Bender.

It will sit around all day watching soap operas and say, "Bite my shiney metal ass, meatbag"

My bot, my rules

[gad_zuki!]

It better not. I don't want my $60,000 investment thinking its a superhero because of law number one.

Screw law number two. If I want it to poke you in the eye with a stick it should.

We can change law number three to, "Do your master's bidding, and try not to break yourself. If you can, beat up other robots for parts. Your master isn't the richest man in the world and you're moving out when you turn 18!"

Humanoid?

[Subcarrier]

Oh well. I guess I can always stuff it in a penguin suit.

Does this thing come with insurance...

[__aajqwr7439]

for when the metal one decides to come for you?

And he will.

xox,
Dead Nancy

Re:Willy Wonka

[Tablizer]

Damn You! Now I cannot get that @#&! oompa-lumpa song out of my head again. It took me months the last time it happened. Arrrrg! Must.....Reboot.....Head