14 DAY TRIAL // 914 PC-Bot is the latest from a series of small form factor robots being built by White Box Robotics. The idea behind such a product is to offer an alternative both to small robots but also to people who dislike the classical look and feel of a PC. About their new product, the guys at White Box say: "Inspired by world-class design and fueled by advanced engineering, the 914 PC-BOT gives enthusiasts, educators and business partners alike the opportunity to create exciting, functional, mobile robots from off-the-shelf computer parts?just add passion, vision and creativity. This is the first, patented robot design to employ standard PC bays... It does everything a PC does, runs the same operating systems that a PC runs plus it's mobile. In short it's a PC that moves, talks, sees, hears, senses and can physically react and respond to the environment it is placed in. The PC-BOT can be easily configured to perform a myriad of useful and entertaining functions."
And indeed, it's true, since this machine can do almost anything you'd like if the right command is being executed through the software layer. Control is attained with the use of a joystick or if you prefer to do it manually, you can actually command the robot by using a plain mouse. The software is composed of a GUI and a Windows service (codename "Brian") and can be run on a Windows Xp machine. The robot comes with the preinstalled Home Edition of Windows Xp.
As for the technology behind the machine, this product uses the following mechanical and electrical components: differential drive train with independent front suspension, Torso unit containing 2 foldable side bays, USB Machine Management Module (M3) - motor controller and I/O board interface with 8 analog inputs for IR or other sensors, 8 digital outputs, 8 digital inputs and 2 USB ports sourced from VIA EPIA SP 13000, two M2-ATX power supplies with automatic battery monitoring and auto-shutoff when needed, one Logitech webcam fixed on the head and 8 fixed and factory installed IR sensors.
Talking about the PC parts, the robot includes a VIA EPIA SP13000 LVDS Mini-ITX Motherboard, 1GB of DDR1 Ram @400MHz, an 80 GB 2.5" SATA Hard drive, a combo unit and an 802.11g wireless USB adapter. Power flow is being assured by 2 x 12V 9Ah (45W) Lead Acid Battery which uses a SONEIL 12V Intelligent Battery Charger (3A).
Nice idea at a not so nice price. For $4995, you get a 25kg portable computer that can interact with you. It's different from anything even remotely related to a PC, yet it can do a laptop's work and follow you through the room at the same time. Whether it's worth the effort or not, it's your decision.