U.S. considers turning scooters into war robots

Associated Press ^ | Dec 1 2003 | Associated Press

[new cruelty]

It's called the Segway Human Transporter, but the Pentagon is drafting the two-wheeled scooter as part of a plan to develop battlefield robots that think on their own and communicate with troops.

The new shock and awe

[Post Toasties]

Defensive measure: dig a 1 foot wide trench.

[JohnnyZ]

ROFLMAO

[Clemenza]

I saw some moron riding one of these on the sidewalk across from Grand Central and was wishing that they had never been invented.

Nice to see someone finally putting the Segway to good use. ROBOT WARFARE NOW!!!

[Willie Green]

"It took a little arm-twisting...
But I knew Rummy would eventually see it my way."

[new cruelty]

Defensive measure: dig a 1 foot wide trench.

Resistance is futile

The INDEPENDENCE™ iBOT™ 3000 Mobility System

If done properly, no can defend. : )

[PoorMuttly]

Muttly NEED !!!

[new cruelty]

now... witness the power of the fully operational Death Chair...

[Criminal Number 18F]

Yep. Same technology. Lots of promise here. I hope that Dean Kamen and his investors get incredibly, filthy rich off the Segways, and

By the way, those that knock Segway, go ahead and try it. You can get around faster that walking, and you're neither threatening to pedestrians nor threatened by vehicles -- unlike a bicycle.

I sure could have used a rucksack that would understand simple commands.. like, say, "Fido! Heel!" That would have taken a lot of the pain out of the annual 12- or 20-miler.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

[Criminal Number 18F]

Er.

I said, "filthy rich off the Segways, and"

How about:

filthy rich off the Segways, and are able to make iBots available to many of the people who have lost some of their mobility.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

[DManA]

I still see no advantage in doing a high tech balancing act on two wheels over what can be done for nothing on 3 or 4 wheels.

[new cruelty]

I still see no advantage in doing a high tech balancing act on two wheels over what can be done for nothing on 3 or 4 wheels.

• University researchers armed with Pentagon funding have programmed Segway robots that can open doors, avoid obstacles, and chase soccer balls -- all without human control.

• Researchers say potential applications for the robots include performing search missions on the battlefield, transporting injured soldiers to safety, or following humans around while hauling their gear.

[new cruelty]

Charge!

[tet68]

When it has 275/18 radials and a 150 hp engine, then I'll get interested.

On the FEBA I would rather have Goliath.

[ErnBatavia]

[Larry Lucido]

Defensive measure: dig a 1 foot wide trench.

If designed right, it will take more than that.

[Dr.Zoidberg]

It may not walk, but then again we don't have to worry about cropduster pilots and tow cables.

[jjm2111]

While the concept BEHIND segways might prove to have some really cool uses, the thing itself is retarted. It's somewhat faster than walking, but slower than a bike. It's heavy and awkward. And it's expensive. No wonder it's a dismal failure.

Why would someone waste five grand on a Segway when they could take the subway to work and buy an old car for the 5g's?

[DManA]

Those two things could be done just as well on 3 or 4 wheels with a lot less electronics and moving parts needed to balance on 2.

[DManA]

Bucky Fuller invented the the Dymaxian car which had 3 wheels instead of 4. People said no one will ever want a car with 3 wheels. Sometimes people are right.