Technabob » butler

Robot Can Use the Microwave, Begun These Hot Pockets Wars Have

Conner Flynn — Sun, 20 May 2012 19:00:40 +0000

Robots can do all kinds of crazy things. They can save our lives in disaster situations, they can clean our homes, they can kill in wartime and now they can use microwaves. No, not as sensors or weapons. They can use the microwave to cook a meal. That they can’t eat. Yet.

This robot’s name is HERB, the Home Exploring Robot Butler. He comes from Carnegie Mellon’s Robotics Institute. As part of his training to become a better home exploring robot butler, he has learned to use a microwave. Well, he can at least microwave frozen food.

With robots being able to microwave frozen foods, lazy people like me have absolutely nothing left to do for ourselves – other than to buy robots.

[via IEEE Spectrum]

Herb the Butler Robot Will Eventually Do Your Bidding

Range — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 07:00:42 +0000

While most of us agree that it will take a while before we have robots to do our chores, it looks like things are moving the right direction for all us slackers, thanks to this new butler robot, simply called HERB.

Intel recently showed off their HERB project, which stands for Home Exploring Robot. The robot butler was built using six multi-core computers along with multiple sensors so that it can perform various tasks in your kitchen for you, such as getting you that beer or making you dinner.

HERB can toss things in the trash, serve you, sort dishes, place them in the dishwasher, and a lot of other things. However, it’s going to take a while before you’ll be able to take HERB home to do your dirty work. There are still plenty of bugs to iron out before this can happen. Once this is done though, we can all look forward to having our very own robot manservants. Of course, if you have the kind of money that HERB will likely cost, you could just hire your own staff of human servants.

[Fast Company via DVice]

Belvedere the Bulterbot: Indentured Robotic Servitude

Range — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 15:03:34 +0000

Couldn’t you use a robotic butler? I know that I sure could. This goofy home-made Butlerbot was created for the 1st birthday of its creator’s son, Ethan. That all sounds like the setup for some sort of science fiction film that goes horribly wrong when the robot assumes the personality of Ethan and becomes convinced its creator is its “father.” Thankfully, that’s not what actually happens here – at least not yet.

Belvedere’s primary purpose is to serve drinks and entertain guests. He’s based on the iRobot Create platform, which is perfect, because he’s smart enough to avoid obstacles. The Butlerbot tells pithy jokes, dance, and can drive itself to various pre-programmed locations in the house. He’s also got the ultimate fashion accessory – a spinning bow tie.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Apparently Belvidere also likes Sir Mix-A-Lot (a lot). Or big butts. We’re not sure.

You can make your own Butlerbot by following this Instructable!

[via Make:]

Toshiba’S Wheelie Could be Your Robotic Butler

Range — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:33:17 +0000

This new robot from Toshiba uses the basic balancing principles found in a Segway to keep its balance and to help around the house. It was unveiled last week in Tokyo.

Wheelie doesn’t have any arms, but it uses the inverse pendulum principle to balance itself. The flat surface of its head makes it the perfect butler or waiter, and it’s just big enough to rest some plates on top of its noggin.

Check out the video below to see Wheelie in action. It’s true that this is an area where robots could really help out. Think about all of the robot vacuum cleaners that are cleaning people’s houses.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

With one of these, you could have a robot deliver your TV dinner directly to you, so you don’t have to get your lazy ass off the couch. Now that’s what I call progress!

[via Plastic Pals]

The Voco Clock: Talking Alarm With British Charm

Technabob — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 16:29:49 +0000

Those of us who can’t afford to have a real butler or personal assistant can now feel a little more wealthy each morning. With the Voco Clock, you can now be awakened by a daily affirmation from your own personal English manservant.

The Voco Clock features a classic design with a modern spin. It features about fifty different wake-up messages, as well as about a dozen messages when you turn off the alarm.

Some of my favorites vocalizations include:

“I’m afraid the staff has absconded, sir. And it is my day off. I trust it will not be too onerous to make your own exquisitely sliced toast an perfectly cooked breakfast?”

“I’m delighted you have survived another night. May I add my own congratulations to the roar of the world’s approval? Thank you, Sir.”

…and the oh-so-concise: “I’m so sorry to disturb you sir, but it appears to be morning. Very inconvenient, I agree. I believe it is the rotation of the earth that is to blame, Sir.”

In addition to the wake-up messages, the clock features a soothing, 90-second message to lull you to sleep. The clock is voiced by well-known British actor/comedian Stephen Fry, known for playing the famous butler, Jeeves alongside his comedy partner and House star Hugh Laurie. The Voco Clock costs

Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall

Technabob — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 22:40:50 +0000

Themeaddicts, a home automation company formed by a team of experienced theme park and movie special effects pros has made it possible for you to have your very own “magic mirror” on the wall.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

When dormant, the M30P Magic Mirror looks like a normal mirror, but reveals an interactive image when triggered into action. The mirror can be programmed to react to inputs from your existing home security system. For instance, the mirror can be set to automatically greet visitors walking by, or to notify you of guests approaching your house. A CGI character (doing it’s best “Jeeves” impression,) is the face and voice in the mirror. For an additional cost, Themeaddicts can even create your own custom CGI personality and messages.

The system features a hidden 30″ LCD flat panel, driven by a built-in content server which contains the animations and processing software and hardware. In addition to the character’s messages, the display can also show feeds from home security cameras.

Some of the pre-packaged responses include: “May I inform you that the motor car garage door has just been opened,” “Pardon me, but isn’t it time to leave for practice,” and my personal favorite: “Ahh yes