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Robotic Ball That Chases Intruders
The Telegraph (UK) ^ | Feb, 14 2005 | David Millword

Posted on 02/14/2005 12:32:33 AM PST by ConservativeMind

A large black ball, originally designed by Swedish scientists for use on Mars, could be the latest weapon in the war against burglars.

The device, developed at the University of Uppsala, acts as a high-tech security guard capable of detecting an intruder thanks to either radar or infra-red sensors. Once alerted, it can summon help, sound an alarm or pursue the intruders, taking pictures.

It is capable of travelling at 20mph, somewhat faster than a human being. Even worse for intruders, the robot ball can still give chase over mud, snow and water.

(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society
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This concept originally was used on the old television show, "The Prisoner," wasn't it? However, those balls were white.
1 posted on 02/14/2005 12:32:33 AM PST by ConservativeMind
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To: ConservativeMind; prisoner6

Great minds... I thought the same thing, and am not ashamed to say I am vastly creeped out. Run! RUN!


2 posted on 02/14/2005 12:41:09 AM PST by dandelion (http://thequestionfairy.blogspot.com/)
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3 posted on 02/14/2005 1:18:03 AM PST by KneelBeforeZod ( I'm going to open Cobra Kai dojos all over this valley!)
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To: ConservativeMind
A large black ball could be the latest weapon in the war against burglars.

The only ball I need in the war against burglars is .45 caliber ball ammo!

4 posted on 02/14/2005 1:38:30 AM PST by SpyGuy (Liberalism is slow societal suicide. And screw political correctness: Islam is the Religion of Death)
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To: ConservativeMind

5 posted on 02/14/2005 1:55:00 AM PST by WestVirginiaRebel ("Senator, we can have this discussion in any way that you would like.")
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To: dandelion
The danged white ball - ROVER - has caought me more times than I can count...sigh.

Trivia - ROVER originally was a small robotic vehicle that the production crew couldn't get to work...it then got trashed by waves when the tide came in...the crew came up with the idea of using an old weather balloon and blowing it around. Thus ROVER was created!

prisoner6

6 posted on 02/14/2005 1:55:42 AM PST by prisoner6 (Right Wing Nuts hold the country together as the loose screws of the left fall out!)
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To: ConservativeMind

Happy FUN BALL!

-only $14.95-


Discontinue use of Happy Fun Ball if any of the following occurs:
If Happy Fun Ball begins to smoke, get away immediately. Seek shelter and cover head.

Happy Fun Ball may stick to certain types of skin.

When not in use, Happy Fun Ball should be returned to its special container and kept under refrigeration...

Failure to do so relieves the makers of Happy Fun Ball, Wacky Products Incorporated, and its parent company Global Chemical Unlimited, of any and all liability.

Ingredients of Happy Fun Ball include an unknown glowing substance which fell to Earth, presumably from outer space.

Happy Fun Ball has been shipped to our troops in Saudi Arabia and is also being dropped by our warplanes on Iraq.

Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball.

Happy Fun Ball comes with a lifetime guarantee.

Happy Fun Ball

ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTES!

7 posted on 02/14/2005 2:01:11 AM PST by datura (Stress is best relieved using therapeutic high explosives.)
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To: SpyGuy

I don't think this burglar ball would have too much success against a soccer player or a field goal kicker. This burglar ball might turn into a new sport.


8 posted on 02/14/2005 2:07:35 AM PST by jonrick46
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To: SpyGuy

Yeah, and if you are not home?


9 posted on 02/14/2005 3:23:11 AM PST by raybbr
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To: ConservativeMind

Sorry...my .45 can chase them just as well.........


10 posted on 02/14/2005 3:52:16 AM PST by Route101
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To: Route101

"Sorry...my .45 can chase them just as well........."
I totally agree. I bet you use ball ammo....(snicker)


11 posted on 02/14/2005 5:16:35 AM PST by jmq (Honey..Now Honey put down the tire iron.........)
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To: ConservativeMind

12 posted on 02/14/2005 5:36:37 AM PST by vannrox (The Preamble to the Bill of Rights - without it, our Bill of Rights is meaningless!)
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To: ConservativeMind

13 posted on 02/14/2005 5:38:48 AM PST by vannrox (The Preamble to the Bill of Rights - without it, our Bill of Rights is meaningless!)
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To: jonrick46
The Prisoner was one of the most original dramas ever aired on television. Brainchild of producer and star Patrick McGoohan, the series portrays a top-secret government agent who resigns his position only to be immediately abducted and whisked away to an enigmatic, isolated seaside community known only as "The Village." Confined in this resort-like, yet sinister town, Number 6 (the new "identity" given to him by his captors) soon learns that no one can be trusted, and that those in charge (whose governmental and political affiliations are unknown) will take extreme measures to break him and learn the reasons behind his resignation.

Originally aired in 1967, the 17-episode series begins with Number 6's arrival in The Village, and ends with a two-part finale which many would claim raises more questions than it answers. During the course of the series, Number 6 struggles both to learn the identity of his captors and to escape from the isolated Village, cut off from the rest of the world by mountains and sea. Each episode features a new "Number 2" (right-hand man to the unseen Number 1), who brings with him to the Village new ideas and methods for breaking the unyielding Number 6. Servant to the current Number 2 is the mysterious butler, a silent dwarfish man who is the only series regular other than McGoohan.

With its unique mix of action, drama, science fiction and the surreal, and with a message even more relevant today than when it originally aired, The Prisoner is a television classic of the rarest kind.



Village Maxims



These edicts and others are often seen conspicuously posted about the Village or are heard recited by those Villagers who have accepted their imprisonment:

"Questions are a burden to others, answers a prison for oneself"

"Humour is the essential ingredient of a democratic society"

"A still tongue makes a happy life"

"Of the people, By the people, For the people"


14 posted on 02/14/2005 5:47:03 AM PST by vannrox (The Preamble to the Bill of Rights - without it, our Bill of Rights is meaningless!)
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To: datura
If Happy Fun Ball begins to smoke, get away immediately. Seek shelter and cover head.

So that's what happens when you taunt it.

15 posted on 02/14/2005 5:49:53 AM PST by Brett66 (W1 W1 W1 W1 W1 W1 W1 W1)
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To: ConservativeMind
A large black ball

Uh, oh. I've seen that before. If it touches you, you disintegrate into grey ash.


16 posted on 02/14/2005 7:15:47 AM PST by Physicist
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To: dandelion

The Prisoner, and, for those of the Harry Potter generation --- a Bulger --- or whatever the name of the killer ball in that game they play on brooms.


17 posted on 02/14/2005 7:18:15 AM PST by MeanWestTexan
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To: ConservativeMind
...could be the latest weapon in the war against burglars.

Could it be used against illegal immigrants crossing our southern border?

How many balls would it take to line the border?

Would the Mexican government protest when it found out that Americans were using balls to stop border crossings?

18 posted on 02/14/2005 7:48:58 AM PST by Noachian (We're all one judge away from tyranny.)
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To: dandelion

No ping for me? Feel free.

Heh, in these modern times we almost need a FR Prisoner ping list to keep up with the number of Village inventions that are now reality...


19 posted on 02/14/2005 7:51:51 AM PST by No.6
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To: No.6

PING!


20 posted on 02/14/2005 7:54:10 AM PST by dandelion (http://thequestionfairy.blogspot.com/)
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