Topic: So You Laughed At Segway...

[Stormbringer]

http://space.com/businesstechnology/technology/segway_defense_031201.html

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

[IKV Nemesis D7L]

Quote:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/technology/maney/2003-06-17-segway_x.htm

Somebody needs to teach Bush how to ride one of those thingys, hehehehehehe.  

In defense of Bush the Segway was found to have a programming fault that resulted in falls when the battery was low.  Bush probably fell victim to that bug.  

[Taldren_Erin]

I'm waiting for the robotic horses from Neal Stephanson's _Diamond Age_.  

[NJAntman]

Quote:
http://space.com/businesstechnology/technology/segway_defense_031201.html

Be afraid. Be very afraid.  

From that article:

Quote:

So far, university researchers armed with Pentagon funding have programmed Segway robots that can open doors, avoid obstacles, and chase soccer balls _ all without human control.

Sounds like they have my sons pee-wee soccer team beat already.

 

[SFC Bennie]

Excerpt:

University of Southern California researchers are working on ways to get the Segway to act as a "mule" that follows humans around, carrying their gear. The robotic Segway hauls as much as 100 pounds.

Another USC project involves controlling the way the Segway pitches and bounces over rough terrain so it can carry sensitive cargo, perhaps an injured human, according to lead researcher Gaurav Sukhatme.

A University of Pennsylvania lab is getting a robot-controlled Segway to communicate with an autonomous robotic blimp and small, truck-like vehicles so they can work as a team to find a designated object in a certain geographic area. The robots would navigate and communicate with each other autonomously, but a human would oversee the whole network.

Full article at:
http://www.salon.com/tech/wire/2003/12/01/segway/index.html

Salon's not my site of choice for articles on military tech, but apparently the much maligned people mover may enjoy a new career as the basic chassis of a military robot.

Scott Bennie

 

[Taldren_Erin]

I wonder if this is in any way related to those remote-control things that Target has that push a hundred or so carts in front of them. Those things are a trip.  

[Sirgod]

Quote:
I wonder if this is in any way related to those remote-control things that Target has that push a hundred or so carts in front of them. Those things are a trip.  

they are also heavy as all get out. I went to pick up my stepdaughter quite awhile back, and one of them got away from this young girl who was picking up carts. It was headed straight towards a row of cars, and I managed to get in front of It, and slow It down to a stop...Barely. I feel that I am in pretty good shape , but the power had went out I guess, as there was nothing but the weight aof a few dozen carts pushing that thing back.

eventually after a few moments she came running over, and managed to turn the thing back on, But It still took both of us to get the thing back up the slight hill.

-----

As far as the Segway thing, It could be a very good idea actually. I can see many uses even As a cheap remote operated Camera/rescue vehicle. I just wish I would have thought of It.

Stephen

[JMM]

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/technology/maney/2003-06-17-segway_x.htm

Somebody needs to teach Bush how to ride one of those thingys, hehehehehehe.  

[TB613]

Quote:
I wonder if this is in any way related to those remote-control things that Target has that push a hundred or so carts in front of them. Those things are a trip.  

I wish they would have had those many, many moons ago when I worked in the Shoppers City grocery department. It was so long ago that I was driving a five year old 1969 Mercury Monterey. Yes, I am that old.    

[Scott Allen Abfalter]

You laugh, but when the Hunter/Killer Segways stormtroopers come bursting into your house in the middle of the night and carry away your screaming and kicking family then you won't think it's so funny!

 

[Death_Merchant]

Quote:
Excerpt:

University of Southern California researchers are working on ways to get the Segway to act as a "mule" that follows humans around, carrying their gear. The robotic Segway hauls as much as 100 pounds.
   

Still laughing....

This is the only robotic mule  I want, carrying the only gear I want:
 
With a little more work, the boys at USC might get Segway to also do this at 4x the cost  

[SFC Bennie]

IIf you want a robotic mule, it's gotta be able to haul Crystite. :-)

Scott Bennie  

[Stormbringer]

http://space.com/businesstechnology/technology/segway_defense_031201.html

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

[IKV Nemesis D7L]

Quote:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/technology/maney/2003-06-17-segway_x.htm

Somebody needs to teach Bush how to ride one of those thingys, hehehehehehe.  

In defense of Bush the Segway was found to have a programming fault that resulted in falls when the battery was low.  Bush probably fell victim to that bug.  

[Taldren_Erin]

I'm waiting for the robotic horses from Neal Stephanson's _Diamond Age_.  

[NJAntman]

Quote:
http://space.com/businesstechnology/technology/segway_defense_031201.html

Be afraid. Be very afraid.  

From that article:

Quote:

So far, university researchers armed with Pentagon funding have programmed Segway robots that can open doors, avoid obstacles, and chase soccer balls _ all without human control.

Sounds like they have my sons pee-wee soccer team beat already.