For the last few years, enterprising robot hobbyists have hacked into iRobot’s popular Roomba robot to make their own autonomous robots. Now iRobot has decided to faciliate that modification even further by releasing iRobot Create, a do-it-yourself robot kit based on the Scooba/Roomba platform.
The Create will be offered at a variety of price points, ranging from a basic model for $129, a robot with command module for $179, and a complete bundle (with charger) for $229.
An open expansion bay (with 25-pin expansion port) allows for the addition of new sensors, expansion devices, actuators and other gadgets to expand the usefulness of the device. A number of demos and hard-wired sensors (32) are also included. The optional command module plugs into the expansion bay and enables full access to all of the Create’s sensors, motors and other devices. Also included are sample programs, a compiler, USB cable and a quickstart guide. The Create will support the use of a range of programming languages (including C/C++) via iRobot open interface.
Check out iRobot’s iCreate website or Robot Magazine’s Create article for more information. (Source: iRobot) – [Jeff James]
Hi!
We’re looking for NXT fans who wants to try URBI for NXT.
More informations at http://www.urbiforge.com and http://www.gostai.com.
If you are interested, write us at [betatesting-nxt AT gostai.com]
ben
When my brother-in-law (ie., not my fault) gave us the first model Roomba for Christmas after I agreed with him in a phone call that Roomba’s were really cool (o.k. it was sort of my fault) my wife was upset when she got a Roomba that year from him for Christmas.
What was really my fault was admitting that he and I had talked about Roombas.
That would have been O.K. if the thing had not scared the living daylights out of our one-year old and has been delegated to a closet ever since.
Now I know what to do with it!
Hack it and add robot arms so that it can sneak up behind her while she is grading papers and give her a surprise massage!
Thank you nsxbot! I am sure that this idea will do a lot for my marriage!
Peter, Chief Editor and Spell Wrecker
The Peter Files Blog of Comedy – We Make Your Laughs Our No. 1 Consideration. For No. 2. try Microsoft or your bathroom!