The Personal Robotics Group from MIT have started a webstore selling a modified "iRobot Create" they setup for $1,200 USD. Named "BiliBot," this robotics platform has an onboard Core i3 computer with 4GB of RAM, running Ubuntu with a pre-installed version of the ROS (Robot Operating System) with Kinect drivers. A specially modified Microsoft Kinect, running off of a battery, allows the Bilibot to see and navigate the real world. The bot also features a gear motor driven claw that can lift 3 pounds up 17 inches.
The Bilibot Project team was mostly inspired by the Kinect sensor, and what can be done with it. They even say that the $150 Kinect can replace $5000 dollars worth of other sensor equipment. Now, like Legos, they want to piece together the best of the newest innovations into one "affordable" package for all robotics research and education facilities out there. The goal is to get everyone familiar with robotics to the point where innovations are made every day.
This reminds me of years ago when I was lauded as a genius because I knew how to do some simple things with DOS and Windows. Few had computers of any sort. Then after everyone started using PCs and learning the OS, they were all at my prior lauded level. The same will happen when people get familiar with the more advanced robot tech.
Eavesdropper
