Qbo, Based On Linux, To Join Growing Field Of Open Source Robots

by Sam Dean - May. 20, 2010Comments (1)

Slowly but surely, the field of open source robotics has expanded, and we've covered some of the most promising robot projects before. These include the iCub, which runs on an open source software platform found here, and open source robotics competition entries, with participants from all around the world. Now, one of the more interesting new open source robots is Qbo (shown), a Linux-based robot from the folks at thecorpora.com.

As Slashgear notes, the Qbo robot has been in development for some time, and it isn't fully released yet. However, design schematics have arrived, and there are now specifications and new photos of the latest prototype. (See below for the latest photo.)

According to the project leads at thecorpora.com, the Qbo autocharges in a docking station, similar to how Roomba vacuum robots do. The robot also features stereoscopic vision, two webcams, numerous onboard sensors, a speech recognition system, WiFi-based controls, and more.

In all likelihood, as the Qbo robot advances, it will have home security applications, and possibly entertainment applications. It's billed as offering "artificial intelligence at home." Like the open source iCub robot, it appears that its hardware design will be easy to copy for the DIY crowd, who might want to modify the robot and enhance its capabilities.

As seen below, it's a cute little thing. If you're interested in keeping up with the development of Qbo, and when it will be available, you can subscribe to news here.