Evolution Robotics Unveils New Personal Robot

Evolution Robotics recently shipped the ER1, a toolkit, software and parts that lets hobbyists and developers build their own robots. Now using those tools, the company has developed a feature complete robot, called the ER2, which it expects to ship in late 2003 for around $2,750. The ER2 was unveiled for the first time on Thursday January 8th at the CES trade show in Las Vegas.

Unlike its relatively sparse sibling, which appears much like an erector set on steroids, the ER-2 is a fully realized robot, encased in a hard-shell cladding. The ER2 includes wireless networking that allows it to be controlled from afar, an object recognition system that lets it maneuver around obstacles, and a gripper arm that allows it to carry things from place to place.

With a built-in camera, the ER2 can be used for telepresence applications, allowing users to remotely attend events and meetings. It also includes security features, which let it operate as a sort of guard dog.

Evolution Robotics also plans on including a suite of education applications inside the ER2, which let it read books and teach math, letters, foreign languages and more to children.

During the CES show, Evolution Robotics demonstrated the ER2 playing chess. It will also be able to play Pictionary, and will include a graphical jukebox.

Evolution Robotics was founded by Bill Gross, who started up IdeaLab and Knowledge Adventure. For more information, head to Evolution Robotics' web site.

Copyright © 2003 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in ExtremeTech.