“Embedded systems frequently incorporate highly customized microcomputers, but our company's goal was to build a robot from commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) embedded components. We felt that this approach would maximize the R&D capabilities of our own team and minimize the cost of our product. COTS components were one of the efficiencies that allowed us to introduce Pioneer 1 in 1995 for prices 50% lower than our nearest competitors' robots — and provide more features, too.”

“You may wonder — as most people do — exactly what it is that mobile robots do. After all, 3CPO “robotic butlers” only exist in the minds of folks like George Lucas. What exactly is it that mobile robots can do?. Vacuum? Do dishes? Mow the lawn? Walk the dog?”

* Read full whitepaper *

 
This article was originally published on LinuxDevices.com and has been donated to the open source community by QuinStreet Inc. Please visit LinuxToday.com for up-to-date news and articles about Linux and open source.