The bot is called QB, and it’s the new technological replacement for your biologically hung-over ass.  Imagine, you wake up and decide you’d rather not touch the floor at all that day. You reach for your laptop and log-in to QB. You’re able to navigate the office, talk to people, and keep tabs on everything you normally would… all from the warm duvet comfort of your bed. Nice.

Similar to a Segway, this little buddy has two motorized wheels but also boasts a camera, microphone, speaker, display LCD screen, laser pointer, and a automatically retracting boom. You have everything you need to be there…without having to actually be there. Freaky!  Is it just me? Because I can imagine this thing coming by my desk and leaning forward to see what I’m doing. Like a boss with his hands behind his back, doing the little …. “hows everything going today?”.  I know if I had one, I’d print a giant picture of my face and stick it to its “head”.  That would be slick. I would also mod a fog horn, USB missile launcher, and water gun to it. I will call it: QB – Office Mech.

Oh I can’t wait, maybe in a couple years I’ll be able to post youtube vids of QB pranks. Oh, the possibilities! The endless pranking possibilities!

” QB looks kind of like a Segway, with a pair of LIDAR-guided wheels and a 5-megapixel camera up top on the “boom,” which extends up about five to six feet (it can be adjusted shorter). There’s also a small screen at the “head” that can show a webcam view of the user (or just an icon or photo). Communication and control are done over Wi-Fi.

The robot avatar isn’t actually meant to replace videoconferencing, but the idea is to be able to participate in more than just meetings. With QB, you can observe a workplace, participate more directly in tasks, or just be there for those casual conversations — all from thousands of miles away. At least in theory. “

Here’s what the Software looks like (the echo is from the computer to QB communication):

Here’s Richard Hammond’s QB

[Sources: Neatarama via Dvice via PlasticPals]

Posted on Wednesday, May 19th, 2010 in Newsround, Newsround: Technology.
Tags: avatar, boom, camera, conference, megapixel, QB, Richard Hammond, robot, work

About the Author: ChromeDome
ChromeDome writes vibrantly opinionated pieces forged by the love of all gadgets, video games, and things that "go-fast". If you’re looking for the up-and-up on all things testosterone related, let ChromeDome be your guiding light.

One Response to “Avatar of present day is no blue kitty cat”

1. paulywood says:

   21/05/2010 at 5:41 pm

   $15,000? Attach a webcam to a RC car lol.

   Reply