RoboDynamics
Encyclopedia
RoboDynamics develops technologies that enable robotic telepresence
. Robotic telepresence is the ability of a person to instantly transport his presence to a remote location by using a robot to embody him in the remote location.
Robodynamics is that branch of robotics technology,which deals with the study and application of techniques that enable robotic telepresence.
. In 2008, RoboDynamics introduced TiLR
, the first commercial robotic telepresence platform. Their latest product was announced in May 2011 and is a personal robot platform called Luna.
TiLR — Telepresence internet-connected Low cost Robot — is world's first enterprise-grade robotic telepresence platform. Featuring a four feet tall frame, a powerful 26x optical zoom camera and a bright LCD, TiLR is video conferencing on wheels. It enables a user to log into it from remote and instantly transport his presence to that remote location. The user can commandeer the robot in the remote location and interact with people and the remote environment as if there in person. TiLR allows enterprises to eliminate travel and increase throughput in ways never before possible.
RooTooth
RooTooth is a Class 1 Bluetooth
module that is designed specifically for the iRobot's Roomba
robotic vacuum cleaner. RooTooth plugs into Roomba's expansion port and bluetooth-enables the vacuum cleaner and takes advantage of the Roomba Serial Control Interface (Roomba SCI). Any device with Bluetooth can connect to Roomba via RooTooth. An assortment of software applications are being developed that utilize the ubiquity of RooTooth.
RooStick
The RooStick is a bluetooth USB dongle
that plugs into a computers USB port and provides control to the RooTooth module. The dongle uses a Silicon Lab CP2103 and runs drivers to enable the user to input commands to the RoomBa from Telnet types of programs.
Roo232
The Roo232 is "an RS232 level-shifter for connecting a PC directly to the Roomba using the serial port
." The Roo232 exposes all the functionalities and sensor information from the iRobot Roomba vacuum cleaner. Using the Roo232 it is possible to command and control the Roomba from a computer.
Software
SCI Tester - A VB
6 application that implements most Roomba SCI commands. The software also runs with the three "Roo" products. Available license free in an installation package or source code from RoombaDevTools.com.
devices.
Telepresence
Telepresence refers to a set of technologies which allow a person to feel as if they were present, to give the appearance of being present, or to have an effect, via telerobotics, at a place other than their true location....
. Robotic telepresence is the ability of a person to instantly transport his presence to a remote location by using a robot to embody him in the remote location.
Robodynamics is that branch of robotics technology,which deals with the study and application of techniques that enable robotic telepresence.
History
RoboDynamics was founded by Fred Nikgohar in September 2003. The first robotic telepresence platform, MILO, was introduced in 2004 at the RoboNexus trade show in San Jose, CaliforniaSan Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
. In 2008, RoboDynamics introduced TiLR
TiLR
TiLR is the world's first enterprise-grade telepresence robot developed by RoboDynamics Corporation. The Telepresence internet-connected Low cost Robot enables a user to instantly transport to a remote location whereby the robot would embody the user in the remote location...
, the first commercial robotic telepresence platform. Their latest product was announced in May 2011 and is a personal robot platform called Luna.
TiLR
RoombaDevTools.com
In 2006 RoboDynamics launched RoombaDevTools.com as a resource for those who wanted to use the Roomba platform as a mobile robot base. Through RoombaDevTools.com the company also began selling development tools such as the RooTooth, RooStick and Roo232.RooTooth
RooTooth is a Class 1 Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a proprietary open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks with high levels of security...
module that is designed specifically for the iRobot's Roomba
Roomba
The Roomba is a series of autonomous robotic vacuum cleaners sold by iRobot. Under normal operating conditions, it is able to navigate a living space and common obstacles while vacuuming the floor...
robotic vacuum cleaner. RooTooth plugs into Roomba's expansion port and bluetooth-enables the vacuum cleaner and takes advantage of the Roomba Serial Control Interface (Roomba SCI). Any device with Bluetooth can connect to Roomba via RooTooth. An assortment of software applications are being developed that utilize the ubiquity of RooTooth.
RooStick
The RooStick is a bluetooth USB dongle
Dongle
A software protection dongle is a small piece of hardware that plugs into an electrical connector on a computer and serves as an electronic "key" for a piece of software; the program will only run when the dongle is plugged in...
that plugs into a computers USB port and provides control to the RooTooth module. The dongle uses a Silicon Lab CP2103 and runs drivers to enable the user to input commands to the RoomBa from Telnet types of programs.
Roo232
The Roo232 is "an RS232 level-shifter for connecting a PC directly to the Roomba using the serial port
Serial port
In computing, a serial port is a serial communication physical interface through which information transfers in or out one bit at a time...
." The Roo232 exposes all the functionalities and sensor information from the iRobot Roomba vacuum cleaner. Using the Roo232 it is possible to command and control the Roomba from a computer.
Software
SCI Tester - A VB
VB
- Organizations :* Vlaams Belang, Belgian political party* Viðskiptablaðið, Icelandic Financial News: VB.is* Vejle Boldklub, Danish football club* Vágs Bóltfelag, Faroese football club* VB Sports Club, Maldivian football club- Companies :...
6 application that implements most Roomba SCI commands. The software also runs with the three "Roo" products. Available license free in an installation package or source code from RoombaDevTools.com.
OptoGroover
In 2007 RoboDynamics introduced the OptoGroover reference design. OptoGroover is a simple USB-connected device that takes data from the network and is able to visually display that data. The OptoGroover platform is available as a reference design and is licensed to various companies active in creating ubiquitous computingUbiquitous computing
Ubiquitous computing is a post-desktop model of human-computer interaction in which information processing has been thoroughly integrated into everyday objects and activities. In the course of ordinary activities, someone "using" ubiquitous computing engages many computational devices and systems...
devices.
MILO
MILO — Mechatronics Intelligent Loveable Organism — was introduced at the first annual RoboNexus tradeshow. MILO was the first robot that RoboDynamics introduced publicly, and was used as a reference design for subsequent telepresence robots.Websites
- RoboDynamics Corporation Website
- RoboDynamics Official Blog
- RoombaDevTools.com Website
- OptoGroover Website
External links
- Hands on with the TiLR Telepresence Robot
- Hands on with the TiLR Telepresence Robot
- Fun with Robots! RoboDynamics let's the X PRIZE test the first TiLR robots
- RoboDynamics on Mahalo Daily
- http://www.youtube.com/user/robodynamicsRoboDynamics YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
videos]