(Updated Dec. 18, 2006)
The robots are coming, the robots are coming . . .
According to a fascinating article at TechNewsWorld, Linux is poised to play a central role in an emerging industry that many expect to overtake the PC industry in size: robotics. Japan is currently driving robot innovation, according to the article, impelled by a looming labor shortage. Consumer robots like the Sony Aibo and Honda Asimo make headlines, but ubiquitous, cheap, and practical utility robots are what most Japanese robot makers are focused on, and "carmaker Honda believes that robots will become its most important business," according to the article.
This exclusive LinuxDevices.com "quick reference guide" offers an interesting glimpse into of some Linux-powered robots currently available or near production, and provides an extensive reading list with further information on Linux in robotics.
We plan to update this Guide frequently, so be sure to check back periodically for the latest info.
Linux-based Robot Device Profiles
 ActivMedia Mobile Robot -- [Feb. 22, 2000] -- ActivMedia's Pioneer 2 mobile robot is a popular platform for education, research, prototyping, exhibits, and robotic projects. The device contains a Pentium-based EBX form-factor single-board computer running Linux, which is used for high-level communications and control functions. details
 ActivMedia Patrolbot -- [Aug. 26, 2004] -- Embedded Linux and a high-end Versalogic single board computer (SBC) form the brain behind ActivMedia's new $30K "PatrolBot," which ActivMedia calls "the first fully autonomous robotic surveillance and monitoring system available off-the shelf." The device runs an unspecified version of embedded Linux on a VersaLogic VSBC-8, a Pentium III based EBX-compliant single board computer. PatrolBot features include laser, sonar, twin shaft encoders, gyroscopic correction system, and bump sensors. Details here and here
 Aldebaran Robots humanoid household service robots -- [Jul. 2006] -- A French start-up created to build autonomous, easily programmable, affordable humanoid robots has emerged from stealth mode. Aldebaran Robotics, of Paris, expects to ship its first product -- a humanoid household service robot running Linux -- in early 2007. details
 Fujitsu HOAP-1 -- [Sep. 11, 2001] -- Weighing 6 kg and standing 48 cm tall, the light and compact HOAP-1 miniature humanoid robot and accompanying simulation software can be used for developing motion control algorithms in such areas as two-legged walking, as well as in research on human-to-robot communication interfaces. This one also runs RTLinux. details
 HRP-2M Choromet -- [Jul. 2006] -- A low-cost, user-programmable humanoid robot targeting educational and research applications, the HRP-2m Choromet was created by four companies, and uses technology from Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST). It is user-programmable thanks to open software running on a user-space real-time Linux implementation. details
 Isamu -- [Jul. 20, 2001] -- This jumbo-sized humanoid robot, stands 53 inches tall, weighs 121 pounds, and walks at over one mile per hour. Not only that, Isamu climbs up and down stairs, carries 4-pound objects in its hand-like grippers, and even recognizes human faces via its dual-camera stereo vision system. Oh, and Isamu has a "brain" that consists of a dual-Pentium computer running RTLinux. details
 K-Team Khepera III -- [Dec. 2006] -- A third-generation model in K-Team's flagship "Khepera" line, the Khepera III adds floor-roving capabilities, the better to support experiments in swarm behavior, K-Team says. It runs Linux on an optional ARM-powered add-in card. details
 Nasa Lunar lander training robots -- [Sep. 2006] -- Two Linux-based lunar rovers were created as part of a NASA project tasked with developing extra-vehicular activity (EVA) hardware and procedures for planetary surface exploration. details
 NASA Personal Satellite Assistant -- [Jul. 25, 2001] -- NASA's Ames Research Center is building a "personal satellite assistant", powered by a Pentium III with the Linux operating system, to help out astronauts on space shuttle and International Space Station (ISS) missions. details
 OAP open robot reference design -- [Nov. 5, 2003] -- "Have you ever dreamed of building your own Linux-based droid [that could] roam around your home autonomously, intelligently obeying your commands?" asks Dafydd Walters. "You may now be able to finally fulfill your dream." Walters founded and leads the Open Automaton Project (OAP), which aims to help enthusiasts assemble an intelligent mobile robot with stereo vision and state-of-the-art PC mainboard technology -- for about the cost of a good PC. See bigger pictures of OAP and learn about its sonar, IR, wireless, and stereo vision subsystems in our fully detailed article, complete with system block diagram. details
 Michael's Robot -- [Jan. 18, 2005] -- A Linux robot with a publicly accessible ssh account, allowing Linux hackers to write or modify programs that control the device. Michael's robot was created by Michael Shiloh, an electrical engineer who has worked with the Survival Research Laboratories. details
 Mobile Robots (formerly ActivMedia) Seekur -- [Aug. 2006] -- An all-weather, indoor/outdoor Linux-ready mobile robot that targets "intelligent navigation" applications, such as laser mapping, the nimble, "holonomic" Seekur offers space, power, and networking for up to five EBX form-factor embedded PCs, and is available with a variety of sensor options. detail
 Robosoft RobuROC autonomous vehicle -- [Jul. 2006] -- A six-wheeled outdoor autonomous vehicle aimed at reducing human risks in reconnaissance, monitoring, and safety operations, the RobuROC 6 from French cleanliness robot specialist Robosoft runs real-time Linux. It supports a variety of add-on modules, and is user-programmable for complex missions, the company says. details
 Shanghai JiaoTong University's soccer-playing robots -- [Jan. 21, 2005] -- An RTLinux-powered robot that placed fifth in the most recent RoboCup competition. details
 Smart Robots SR4 autonomous mobile robot -- [May 12, 2003] -- This Linux-powered robot platform can travel at a speed of approximately 1.5 ft/sec. It can communicate with other S4s as well as people, via 2-way emails and pages hosted on its built-in web server. details
 Sony Ericsson ROB-1 -- [Mar. 10, 2005] -- The ROB-1 is a yo-yo-sized robot that can be controlled from certain mobile phones. Compatible phones can display and capture images from its VGA camera. details
 Spif mobile robot -- [Feb. 7, 2003] -- This Linux-powered mobile robot can serve as a powerful test-bed for embedded real-time application experimentation. It boots Linux 2.4.19 from either Flash, DiskOnKey, or 802.11 wireless. The hardware board structure and size have been designed to make it easy to add new sensors and actuators, allowing powerful customization and limitless experimentation. details
 Wakamaru -- [Apr. 22, 2003] -- This 3.3 foot tall, 60 pound Linux-powered robot is described as the first human-size robot capable of providing companionship or functioning as a caretaker and house sitter. The battery-operated robot moves about on wheels and recharges itself when its batteries run low. Wakamaru is said to be capable of conducting simple conversation using a 10,000 word vocabulary, and finding (and following) faces and movements using face recognition technology. details
 Whitebox Robotics 914 PC-Bot -- [Aug., 2007] -- A mobile robot that runs Linux, and is based on standard, modular PC components, interfaces, and bays, the 914 PC Bot is sort of a PC on motorized wheels. details
LinuxDevices.com's Robots-in-Linux Reading List
Robot profiles and news
Robot standards and platforms
Robot technology
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