Nxtbot.com » iRobot

Tom’s Hardware Challenges Mad Scientists

Chuck — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 02:46:54 +0000

Since iRobot decided to release its iRobot Create do-it-yourself robot kit, robotics fans everywhere have been brainstorming the possibilities of what they could concoct with this relatively affordable Scooba/Roomba device. And, it sparked at least one challenge sponsored by Tom’s Hardware, the iRobot Create Challenge.

Just what is that challenge? Well, they “threw down the gauntlet” (in their own words) to Roomba hackers around the globe a short while back, prodding them to get involved in iRobot’s contest, which ended June 30, to come up with the most remarkable robot possible with the Create platform. Booty for the winner is the tidy sum of $5,000.

Since that time, ideas, submissions and accomplishments have been coming in and the folks at Tom’s Hardware decided to share a few of the more public ones with its readers (some contestants are staying tight-lipped on their creations). Among the offerings are iRobots that play tennis, scan homes for intruders, recreate art or digital photos, assist people with disabilities and, surely one of the best, a robotic pooper scooper (provided it’s not too proactive in its duties). For the full scoop, check out Tom’s Hardware and the iRobot Create Challenge forums. (Source: Tom’s Hardware) – [Chuck Miller]

CES 2007: iRobot Launches Create

Jeff — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 15:31:48 +0000

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]

CNET News.com: My Life with Scooba

Jeff — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 05:20:44 +0000

While the pioneering iRobot Roomba has managed to keep the shag carpet and hardwood floors of thousands of homes clean and lint-free, iRobot’s Scooba robotic floor washer has attempted to achieve the same level of domestic success.

Michael Kanellos over at CNET News.com recently posted an in-depth review of his experiences with the Scooba, a write-up that is well worth a read – be sure to check out the images and video clips as well. (Source: CNET News.com) – [Jeff James]

iRobot Co-Founder Helen Greiner Interviewed

Gareth — Fri, 14 Apr 2006 00:05:14 +0000

Helen Greiner, co-founder (along with Rodney Brooks and Colin Angle) of the successful robot company iRobot was recently a guest of the Wharton School’s entrepreneurship and technology clubs. An interview with her is up on their website, and there’s a podcast as well.

In the interview, she talks about the mission of iRobot and how it might differ from other robot developers:

We are not there to do demonstrations of technology. We are not there to talk about stuff that’s going to happen 50 years from now in robots — although that’s going to be extremely exciting. We really concentrate on practical and affordable systems for today.

She also talks about how iRobot decided to open Roomba up for user-hacking, via their serial control interface, and what users have been able to do in modifying their Roombas:

One [involved] making a webcam on wheels so you can control your robot through the Internet and see what the robot sees and hear what the robot hears as you drive it around. Somebody made a robotic plant-moving system, so plants can always be in the sun. Someone was talking about making a swimming pool-skimming robot. And most recently, just this past week, some hackers did a physical instantiation of the video game Frogger. Now we don’t condone this type of activity [laughs], but it shows you just where creativity can go when you make a system open.

- [Gareth Branwyn]

iRobot’s PackBot Joins Space Tech Hall of Fame

Jeff — Fri, 07 Apr 2006 17:30:50 +0000

At the 22nd National Space Symposium — held in Colorado Spings, CO yesterday — iRobot’s PackBot was inducted into the Space Technology Hall of Fame. Created with technology developed partially at JPL and and DARPA, the PackBot has proven itself to be the bomb disposal unit’s best friend, helping identify and disable improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in use in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Here’s a quote from the iRobot press release about the event:

“Advanced robot technology, like the PackBot, has many important applications — from space exploration and assisting soldiers on the battlefield to cleaning homes,” said Vice Admiral Joe Dyer (U.S. Navy, Ret.), executive vice president and general manager, iRobot. “PackBot’s induction into the Space Technology Hall of Fame is a testament to iRobot’s ability to build upon its proven technological achievements to create more advanced robots.”

Check out the news release, the official iRobot PackBot site and the Space Tech Hall of Fame for more info.