Can you beat this robot at pool? This sparks something of a “let the wookie win” attitude for us, but we still love to watch the video. This is the PR2 playing pool thanks to the folks over at the Willow Garage. It uses a laser sensor to detect the legs of the pool table, and cameras to find the diamonds and balls at the playing surface rather than using an overhead camera. They cut down on the coding work needed by using FastFiz, an open source Billiards physics library. The final step was building an interface so the robot could use a cue. Check it out after the break (no pun intended).
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMx1xW2E4Gg]
[Thanks Thrasha666 via Engadget]
Wasnt this the robot everybody was saying would kill us all back in 2009? The only thing I could see going wrong would be if it thought you were a cue ball. On the break.
Man…these guys are getting paid for this? Fun job!
I wonder if the robot can apply english to the cue ball yet?
God I love the design of this bot. Playing pool is pretty cool, but, it’s been done. They should have ‘taught’ their PR2 to iron shirts, that would’ve made them famous.
its a shame they were using an american table – those pockets are huge!
Don’t take it to the pub though. Some idiot will get drunk and start a fight with it coz he thinks it’s trying to score with his woman.
They call him “Detroit Iron” even though he’s made mostly out of plastic.
The robot contains 4kg of ABS plastic and 6kg of Magnesium. It is not mostly made of plastic.
Where is this company getting money. They have no cashflow at all but they’re burning money
Hackius, I don’t think money is too much of a problem if you were an early days employee of Google!
“Where is this company getting money. They have no cashflow at all but they’re burning money” –Hackius
Hustling pool, obviously.
hustle ftw.
They stated right out front that they do this to keep themselves thinking outside of boxes. If the only tool you have is a hammer, the only solution you will have is to smash things. This kind brainstorming often gives you surprisingly effective ways of tackling problems that you would not normally think of. In addition to that, you also train others on your team to not be so skeptical of other ideas.
They are obviously doing this to keep the otherwise murderous robot entertained.
And they are obviously doing this to keep the otherwise murderous robot entertained.
Wait did anyone notice the telephone booth in the corner?
Is it functioning? FOCUS people, FOCUS!