New Electrolux Trilobite 2.0 Vacuum Robot 159
i4u writes "The first version of the Electrolux expensive vacuum robot was launched last May. Electrolux announced the new metallic green Trilobite 2.0 on their Swedish site. The Electrolux Trilobite 2.0 is programmable like a VCR, it also recognises stairs and offers smarter cleaning. Electrolux has carried out 200 improvements. Photos on I4U." And at this rate, perhaps MkIII will be out next spring.
Hoovy aka Trilobite java applet (Score:2, Interesting)
This was my first (and last) Java Applet. JRE 1.4.1 required: Have fun
Well, I didn't elaborate the applet as far as I wanted, but it was fun learning Java/GUI programming and fundamentals of path finding (A*) at the same time.
Re:Hoovy aka Trilobite java applet (Score:1)
Typo in headline (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Typo in headline (Score:1, Troll)
You forget product marketing rule #1: when choosing or changing a product name, make sure it has as many "x"s or "e-"s or "i-"s in the name as possible to promote a trendy, latest-high-tech image.
Re:Typo in headline (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Typo in headline (Score:2)
Re:Typo in headline (Score:2)
Nah, the machines just prefer it that way (Score:1)
Re:Typo in headline (Score:1)
Re:Typo in headline (Score:1)
Better yet (Score:2)
usability? (Score:2)
if only it could learn how to avoid me stumbling on it every other day
Re:usability? (Score:2)
Programmable like a VCR (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Programmable like a VCR (Score:1)
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Programmable like a VCR (Score:1)
Programmable like a VCR (Score:5, Funny)
Does it mean I'll have to fiddle with a 8 x 7-segment green display, a bunch of buttons and knobs, and a manual written in engrish?
12:00 (Score:2)
Re:12:00 (Score:1)
Re:Programmable like a VCR (Score:2)
Roomba Army (Score:5, Funny)
I think I would just buy 10 Roombas. Then I would have the added benefit of racing/fighting them.
Re:Roomba Army (Score:1)
Re:Roomba Army (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Roomba Army (Score:1, Funny)
Re:Roomba Army (Score:4, Informative)
The Roomba just goes around in increasing circles and copes really badly with anything like furniture. (Excercise: See if you can work out its algorithm; hint: It doesn't need any internal state ala Brooks). Unless your room is approximately square or circular with gaps around the furniture, you can forget about it. Roomba needs far too much supervision, you (almost) may as well do the job yourself.
More useful are robots which can be programmed with a map. These can cope with pretty much any room, but you better not move your desk without telling them or the poor robot will get confused and go sulk in a corner.
Far more useful are the robots which build a map of their environment as they go because they can be turned on and left. I believe this robot fits into that category (though it isn't the first).
Forget for a moment you doing the vacuuming at home (or your mum doing it
As to your idea of fighting roombas. Remember that algorithm I got you to work out at the start? It ain't going to make very good fights, is it?
Re:Roomba Army (Score:2)
Also, as I mentioned, you still need cleaners for the jobs other than vacuuming; the cleaners can shift the robot to the next floor (via the lift)
You're right about cleaning, servicing and emptying costs. But any investment that pays for itself in about a year is very impre
What's so good about it? (Score:4, Insightful)
I guess the sonic thing is a more geekish way to go about things, but is it really more effective than bumpers? Is it worth the massive price tag?
Re:What's so good about it? (Score:5, Informative)
Re:What's so good about it? (Score:2)
A reader writes in with more information... (Score:2)
I received this email at 1725 PST:
Short summary: The device is fairly intelligent, does not get stuck frequ
Re: (Score:2)
Re:What's so good about it? (Score:2)
The Roomba does vacuum, albeit not as well as a REAL vacuum cleaner. It's about the equivalent of a DustBuster.
Re:What's so good about it? (Score:5, Interesting)
yea but it aint no Kerby (Score:4, Informative)
I bought an electrolux perhaps 6 years ago, it still works liek brand new today. My aunt however has bought about 5 vacumes varying from hoover, to the wind tunnel thing paying an average of $200 a pop. I'm not saying this is the reason it costs so much but those things are built like world war two battle ships.
Re:yea but it aint no Kerby (Score:2)
Re:yea but it aint no Kerby (Score:2)
Re:What's so good about it? (Score:2)
Doing that has been the focus (and still is!) of robotics research for almost 20 years now. Sonars are tricky to do it (I'd prefer a laser, but a decent laser scanner costs much more than the trilobyte..), but you can with a bit of computation. The hardware requirements for that probably drive up the cost too, as roomba has very lit
For use in the office (Score:2)
Though for 1000 I'd want wireless with it reporting it's progress and building a map of the areas it's vacuumed back to a server as well.
Re:What's so good about it? (Score:2)
It is debateable whether this is an important feature. Some other aspects of the Trilobite may be less subjective: the Trilobite can recharge itself. The Trilobite is about 5kg; the Roomba is about half the weight at 2.7kg. In my experience with regular, upright vacuum cleaners, heavier generally reflects more power and sturdier construction.
Other than that, both sites
Re:What's so good about it? (Score:1)
On the other hand, the Tribolite is a true vaccum cleaner, working by aspiration.
It explains the big difference.
Robots are cool and all but (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Robots are cool and all but (Score:2)
James
Re:Robots are cool and all but (Score:2)
Dang straight! I pay someone to clean my house once a month for $50 each time. I'd need to have a Triolobite for three years (plus find someone to clean my bathrooms and kitchen for free) just to break even. Nice toy, but I'm sticking with my Roomba.
Re:Robots are cool and all but (Score:2)
Actually it's not for a high-end vacuum cleaner that will really do the job and will last for more than a couple of years. That's about the ballpark for something like a FilterQueen, for example. (Whether that's worth it is another question, of course.)
On the other hand, given likely advances in cybernetics, you may not care if the thing lasts long enough to bequeath to your grandkids.
First self-propelled vacuum? (Score:4, Informative)
I'm always put off by products where the first promo description I read is totally untrue.
Re:First self-propelled vacuum? (Score:1)
They could be talking about this. Although I don't know much about the history of the Roomba. It still could have been first.
Re:First self-propelled vacuum? (Score:2)
Re:First self-propelled vacuum? (Score:2)
If that's the case, then they're illiterate. "Self-propelled" means something else entirely.
Uh-oh (Score:1)
a problem (Score:5, Funny)
I mean I a messy person and a bit lazy so this would be ideal for me. BUT if it is going to suck up all my money and keys and socks (that I store on the floor) then that would "suck"!
Re:a problem (Score:1)
Well if you pay a maid to do it, he/she will suck up even more of your money.
Re:a problem (Score:2, Informative)
Re:a problem (Score:2)
Oh, right... This is slashdot.
Re:a problem (Score:1)
And by the way, I want one.
a feature (Score:3, Funny)
At least you'll know where to find them.
How the hell are these vacuumbots actually robots? (Score:4, Interesting)
Where is the dividing line between "automatic mechanized device" and "robot"?
Re:How the hell are these vacuumbots actually robo (Score:5, Informative)
robot, n: a mechanism that can move automatically.
So I guess there is no line
It is a autonomous robot. (Score:3, Interesting)
The trilobyte is probably the closest thing to the autonomous research robots I work with, thats really aimed at the consumer (albeit, the wealthy consumer...). From my understanding, trilobyte uses sonars for navigation and has internal mapping and localization. Those are necessary for it to find its charger base automatically, but it also can make cleaning faster and more efficient than say, roomba's spiralling and wall following algorithms.
Its kin
Re:It is a autonomous robot. (Score:2)
To build a consumer robot with a well functioning SLAM is very difficult, because of the u
i cant speak for electrolux.. (Score:2)
And I dont think electrolux has done anything particularly *new* with the trilobite, aside from giving it near-consumer level pricing. Its still using sonars and has the capabilities research robots saw 10-12 years ago. Still though, the equipment to do that used to be outrageously expensive a
More capable than the Roomba? (Score:1)
Excellent (Score:1)
Well, it's your heart attack, I'm just the guy whos taxes pay for your heart bypass at 52.
From the Nova School of Car Naming (Score:4, Funny)
Re:From the Nova School of Car Naming (Score:1)
Re:From the Nova School of Car Naming (Score:1)
Re:From the Nova School of Car Naming (Score:2)
T-REX [com.com]
It would be brilliant (Score:5, Funny)
And if it could fetch a beer from the fridge... I would buy two.
Roomba vs Electrolux battle? (Score:1, Funny)
It's a KILLER ROBOT! (Score:2)
Floor washer (Score:2)
Here you go. (Score:2, Informative)
Nothing bites like a Trilobite. (Score:2)
Let's hope they choose a different ad company other than the one that gave us "Nothing sucks like an Electrolux."
And it's true, Electroluxes do suck, but in a good way.
One of at least two times I can think of where sucking is a good thing.
It'll change my life! (Score:2)
floors? (Score:2, Funny)
Re:floors? (Score:1)
No, that requires more extensive suckage, which would drain the batteries too fast.
Re:floors? (Score:2)
Sheesh-o-rama!
Re:floors? (Score:2)
Doesn't anyone realize that the 2 most popular robotic vacuums are ROUND?
Automatic recharging (Score:1)
If it could empty itself too, it'd almost be worth the price (especially for places like restaurants and such).
The Electrolux from Roger Rabbit? (Score:2)
Wrong direction (Score:1)
One critical missing feature (Score:3, Insightful)
AFAIK there is no way to plug a pipe and a brush onto it in order to manually vacuum.
So this robot can vacuum the floor, but nothing else. You need a second vacuum for the rest.
Re:One critical missing feature (Score:4, Interesting)
You make a very important point. They've stuck themselves into an awkward position. The Trilobite is too expensive to market as an additional vacuum cleaner, but its feature set is too limited to actually be a vacuum replacement. The Roomba is aimed at an actual defined market niche: it's an inexpensive automated floor sweeper/vacuum intended for periodic use between regular vacuumings.
Re:One critical missing feature (Score:1)
Re:One critical missing feature (Score:2)
Actually, my only point was that its price will likely position it as a vacuum replacement in the minds of potential buyers. When people find out it's not, aren't they likely to say "1000 euros for a carpet sweeper and I will still have to vacuum? forget it!"
Have a look at Karcher's robovacuum. (Score:1)
It has better features than the roomba or the trilobite. Like a base station which empties the dustbin. The unit keeps cleaning until it's covered your entire house and finds its way back to the base station every hour to empty itself and recharge before continuing where it left off.
robocleaner [robocleaner.de] CTV review of the robocleaner [www.ctv.ca]
1.0 has been out since 2001 (Score:1)
At this rate, 3.0 might be available in 2007.
J
When it can *DO* stairs... I'll be interested. (Score:2)
Re:When it can *DO* stairs... I'll be interested. (Score:1)
Alternative for the philosophically advanced (Score:2)
New!! Low cost alternative: Teaches you to appreciate and even enjoy dirty floors.
Stockholm museum display of this robot (Score:2, Informative)
If you're in Stockholm and interested in the construction of the this robot check out the Swedish Technical Museum [tekniskamuseet.se] (No English web page). 6 months ago it had a room sized display with English description showing how the vacuum cleaner was designed and built. There was also a very cool display on robots in general with dozens of different working robots and hundreds of toys. A fun museum for geeks.
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It's wrong that an intellectual property creator should not be rewarded for their work.
It's equally w
Well, you know what they say... (Score:1)
I wonder... (Score:2)
Recognizes stairs... (Score:1, Funny)
Ok
And so, this is for passing thru the lameness lame filter.
If it were April 1... (Score:2)
Maybe the cost difference is.... (Score:1, Interesting)
Re:Next on Slashdot (Score:2, Funny)
Is this the proper place to tell of my romantic attachment to our pool filter?
Re:Next on Slashdot (Score:2)
I really hope you're joking.
There was a guy that my wife heard about from her instructor when she was in medical training that ended up losing his family jewels just because he did that.
To make a long story short, he got stuck, and couldn't shout for help loud enough... (it was a private pool in his backyard). By the time someone had heard him yelling for help and a medical team arrived, his uhmm... equipment was irreparably damaged, and he paid the penultimate price for his stupidity.
Re:This just in! (Score:2, Interesting)
now assuming that the robots dont become sentient(very likely). What sort of economics model would possibly work to justify our existance. no work for humans, no money, no food...... am i right?
im suspecting
1. corperations & ceo's will own and control everything, because they are the only ones producing anything.
2.
Re:This just in! (Score:2, Insightful)
Manna, Chapter 1 [marshallbrain.com]
Here's a teaser from the story..
"Depending on how you want to think about it, it was funny or inevitable or symbolic that the robotic takeover did not start at MIT, NASA, Microsoft or Ford. It started at a Burger-G restaurant in Cary, NC on May 17, 2010. It seemed like such a simple thing at the time, but May 17 marked a pivotal moment in hu