U. of Oklahoma's Mac mini robot

Awwww, this lil' robot with a Mac mini brain just warms the heart, doesn't it? The University of Oklahoma built this mobile robot to prototype a visually and aurally tele-operated robot before designing their own from scratch. It's based on the Pioneer 3-AT robotics platform and is controlled via a USB-to-serial connection, with visual feedback provided via iSight. We applaud these tentative first steps, but are holding out for the souped up hot rod Mac mini Monster truck mod. Any takers?

[Via Hackaday]

[Ruben Kalath @ Dec 19th 2005 1:25AM]

i like to see that apple technologhy is being put to good use! GO APPLE!

[paul @ Dec 19th 2005 1:25AM]

i think this is as close are you're getting to that mac mini controled monster truck. pretty cool, thou

http://team.gobanzai.com/media/

[Eric @ Dec 19th 2005 1:25AM]

Imagine, an array of iPod nanos! It makes one drool at the potential sci-fi implicatins...

[Don Homer @ Dec 19th 2005 1:25AM]

"i think this is as close are you're getting to that mac mini controled monster truck. pretty cool, thou"

There was the VW 4WD controlled by several Mac Minis in the Darpa race this year.

[Don Homer @ Dec 19th 2005 1:25AM]

OOPS... okay, I'll look at your link first :P

[Darran Edmundson @ Dec 19th 2005 1:25AM]

I did something similar for a conference earlier this year, albeit with a 12" PowerBook rather than a Mac mini. The benefit of using the laptop was that the remote operator's face appeared on the screen.

http://www.edmstudio.com/experimental/dennis.html