| Commodity PC morphs into mobile Linux robot |
Aug. 07, 2006
 A small Canadian company is taking orders for a mobile robot that runs Linux, and is based on standard, modular PC components, interfaces, and bays -- sort of a PC on motorized wheels. WhiteBox Robotics says its 914 PC-Bot "does everything a PC does," with the added capability of mobility.
(Click for larger view of WhiteBox Robotics 914)
According to CEO Rob Richards, WhiteBox Robotics has applied for a patent on robots based on modular PC components and interfaces. He said, "We've done extensive research, and believe the patent would hold up if challenged."
Robots have long used PC components in various capacities, as a quick look at our extensive Linux Robot Showcase will reveal. The difference appears to be that rather than being a robot with incidental computing capabilities, WhiteBox Robotics's 914 PC-Bot appears to be positioned as a standard PC with added robotic capabilities. Robotic mobility and remote controllability will enable new PC applications, the company hopes.
One early application for the technology appears to be in warehousing and inventory management applications, where the 914 can serve as a "networked, mobile sensor platform [for] RFID readers, hazmat detectors, and access management devices." The company suggests, "Now you can move the sensor, vs. the asset."
Other suggested applications include academic and hobbyist projects.
What's inside the case?
The 914 stands 21-inches tall, and weighs about 55 pounds (25kg). It has a two-wheel drive train with two "caster ball" wheels, each powered by a DC stepper motor. The robot is cloaked in moulded plastic body panels that are "Ninety-five percent done," according to Richards.
 Forget six-pack abs; the 914's torso unit comprises a column of four standard 5.25-inch PC drive bays in front, and another four in back. The torso is flanked by two "foldable" side bays respectively housing the power supply and system board.
The 914's motor- and sensor-control are handled by a USB-based M3M (machine management module) and I/O board, respectively. The I/O board supports eight analog inputs, eight digital ins, and digital outs. Up to two I/O board are supported.
Other sensors include a camera in the head unit, and a sensor array comprising eight IR sensors, presumably used for obstacle avoidance.
The 914 is powered by twin 12-volt lead-acid batteries, and comes with a charger.
Software side
Since the 914 is really just a standard PC trapped in a robot's body, it can run any standard PC operating system. WhiteBox Robotics supports Linux on the device, as well as Microsoft's Robotics Studio. When used with Linux, the company also appears to support the open source Player/Stage robot and sensor programming library.
According to a poll of users at the 914 Forum, 53 percent plan to use Microsoft Windows with Robotics studio, while 21 percent expect to use Linux with Player/Stage.
Availability
WhiteBox Robotics says the 914 is available now, with six- to eight-weeks lead time, priced at $5,000. Richards expects prices to fall to "PC-like levels between $1,500 and $2,000" by next year, by which time he hopes the company will be outsourcing manufacturing in batches of "thousands, not hundreds."
Richards adds, "Our current model is over-built. It's analogous to consumer electronics... the first Trinitron was very expensive, but it was the nicest Trinitron ever made. Since then, it's been cost-reduce, cost-reduce, cost-reduce."
So far, WhiteBox Robotics has sold 50-60 914 bots, according to Richards.
Additional details, including photos, user reports, surveys, and more, can be found at a community forum devoted to WhiteBox Computing's 914 robots.
WhiteBox Robotics is essentially "the same company" as FrontLine Robotics, a 30-person, software oriented supplier of unmanned, autonomous vehicles (UAVs) to the defense and public safety sectors.
Related Stories:
(Click here for further information)
|
|
|
FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux
Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals.
Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering
With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing¿s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size.
Data Monitoring with NightStar LX
Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn¿t leave you stranded in the dark. It¿s more than just a debugger, it¿s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that¿s positively illuminating.
Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta
This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments.
High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD
This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail.
Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source
Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss.
Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms
The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms.
Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems
This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG¿s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system.
7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.
|
|
|
|
|
news feed