Just about everyone has heard
about Spirit and Opportunity,
the robots that keep on trucking
across the surface of Mars. And
of course, there was last summer’s
hit movie WALL-E, about a
lovable little waste-collecting robot.
Well, you don’t have to go to Mars or the
multiplex to meet a real robot. Just keep
your eyes open in the aisles of the Robotics
TechZone, sponsored by Robotics Trends, at
the Sands. Robots may not be everywhere,
but you should watch where you step anyway.
While many are large, some are small, and
they all will be showing off for the crowds.
ROBOT HANDYMEN
Robots have moved into the mainstream.
You can find them in stores, from lawnmowing
marvels to robots that do the dirty work,
like iRobot’s Looj (Fig. 1). This tracked
gutter-buster whips its way through gunk and
leaves to leave almost nothing in its wake.
This portable, battery-powered robot only
does one thing, but it does it well.
Of course, you also can check out the latest
iRobot Roomba vacuum cleaner and its
competition. An industrial-strength Roomba
will highlight iRobot’s Professional Series,
whose models are designed for heavy traffic
areas and can handle larger spaces than their
siblings. There is even a Pet Series for houses
like mine where stray kitty litter is the norm.
Also, iRobot offers industrial and military
options. The portable PackBot will be on
display, but I’m looking forward to seeing
the Warrior x700. This monster can support
150-lb payloads, making it ideal for heavyduty heavyduty
applications like explosive ordnance disposal
(EOD), reconnaissance, and firefighting
(Fig. 2). It also can handle rough terrain and
even climb stairs.
Is it a toy or a tool? That’s
the question when it comes to
WowWee’s Rovio (Fig. 3). This
three-wheeled marvel’s wireless
webcam delivers telepresence capabilities.
It can be controlled from
almost any PC and employs Evolution
Robotics’ Northstar navigation system.
An infrared-based positioning system
helps track the Rovio’s location within a
room, and that isn’t an easy thing to do.
Check out Hagisonic’s booth for the latest
in navigation systems for robots or just about
any other mobile device. Its StarGazer system
localization sensor and module for intelligent
robots is supported by Microsoft’s Robot
Developer Studio. There will also be a range
of other products, including ultrasonic range
finders. Both types of devices tend to be
handy for service robots.
PERSONAL ASSISTANTS
Robots also are finding more use in personal
assistance applications, and many
will show up at CES in a range of shapes
and sizes. Most are still in the experimental
stage, but they are becoming more robust.
Or if you’re just looking for a beer, stop by
OLogic’s booth and take a look at the “butler.”
This 3-ft high, two-wheeled assistant can
carry all sorts of things.
We’ll have to see if Anybot’s sophisticated
Dexter articulated service robot will grace
us with its presence (Fig. 4). You’ll know
if you bump into Dexter, since this walking
biped is almost 6 ft tall and weighs 135
lbs. Meanwhile, Korean-based Yujin Robot
should have even more interesting servicebased
robots on display, if last year’s offerings
are any indication. This company covers
a range of robotic products from industrial to
educational. I bet one of the company’s Plus
A robots will be keeping its booth clean.
So if you are looking for robots to play,
robots to work, or robots to research, the 2009
International CES will have something for
you. Just be polite if you bump into one.