technabob » carnegie mellon

snackbot snack-delivering robot: i want one now.

technabob — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 12:37:47 +0000

I’ve always wanted a robotic butler. You know, like the personal service ‘bots in Woody Allen’s Sleeper. Except without the sexual harassment part. Turns out that a team of industrious scientists at Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Institute have already built one. And this one delivers snacks! Sweet!

CMU’s Snackbot is a roving wheeled ‘bot who’s primary purpose is to roam the halls of the University’s buildings, delivering tasty treast to students and faculty. Snackbot not only drives around bringing snacks, he also brings plenty of goodwill, with a pleasant-sounding voice communication system and calm demeanor unlikely to be rattled by even the most demanding snack customer. He features a sophisticated “multi-sensor fusion algorithms” which let him understand where he’s going, navigate through crowds, and can autonomously learn new objects.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

My only complaint is that all that he seems to be delivering in the video clip above is granola bars and souvenirs. What kind of snacks are those? Where are my Ding Dongs, Ring Dings, Big Wheels and King Dons? Even Snackbot’s early prototype delivered M&Ms, Twix and Oreos…

While Snackbot was designed for a nobler cause – studying human-robot interactions, bringing snacks to my office each day would be plenty reason for me to invest research dollars – as long as there are creme-filled snack cakes, that is.

[via BotJunkie]

cmu girls heart technabob

technabob — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:40:19 +0000

The girls of Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) are undoubtedly some of the dopest chicks you’ll ever encounter. Not only do they do they possess mad algebraic skillz and could probably kick your ass in World of Warcraft, they have the only finest taste in tech blogs.

In this hilarious rap vid clip from the school’s CMU Gurlzzz, pay careful attention starting around the 1:45 mark, and you just might hear a mention of a little blog that’s near and dear to my heart.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Excuse me now I gotta catch up with my blogs (blogs)
If you don’t like that then I’ll throw you to the dogs (dogs)
And if you DIGG it, then you my dawg
Gizmodo Notcot and technabob

Yep. When you start having your blog mentioned alongside DIGG, Gizmodo and Notcot in a viral YouTube clip, you know you’ve arrived.

CMU Gurlzzz, technabob loves you too.

[check out the HQ version of the video here]

automated voice response system gets an attitude

technabob — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 05:08:49 +0000

Ever feel like telling one of those stupid voice-recognition phone systems exactly where it can stick option number 2?

Carnegie Mellon alumnus, humorist and robotics author Daniel H. Wilson stars in this humorous video clip of what happened when he got a little too snarky with Diane, the voice behind an Automated Voice Response (AVR) system.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Be sure to check out more entertaining clips (including some catchy tunes with Keepon the rhythmic robot) over on CMU’s Robo U Website.

[Thanks to Technabob reader Mandy for sending this along!]