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Koolio is a traveling
autonomous refrigerator robot -- Picture a cross between R2D2 and a
vending machine. It is designed for use on the 3rd floor of Benton Hall at
the University of
Florida . This floors houses the Machine
Intelligence Lab (MIL) as well class
rooms and professor’s offices. Around here professors are always
working diligently in their
office and sometimes can’t even find the time to get up and get a
drink. Now they don’t have to
worry. Here is the sequence
of event.
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Dr.
Schwartz is in an important
meeting with a future
client and has a sudden urge for a Diet Coke.
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He logs on to the network and tells
Koolio that he would like a Diet Coke.
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Koolio receives this signal
through its wireless card and determines the room number needed.
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It leaves its docking station
at the MIL lab and proceeds to the hallway.
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It navigates the hall way with
a verity of instruments:
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Sonar for accurate long
distance coverage.
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IR for close obstacle
avoidance.
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Shaft encoding for
accurate navigation once location is determined.
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Web cameras for reading
room numbers off the wall.
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It locates room 326 and delivers Dr. Schwartz his Diet Coke thus averting disaster.
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It leaves the room and returns
to its docking station to recharge and wait for the next call.
Although Koolio is initially
designed for Benton Hall it could be applied in an any office, school, or
even your own home. It is
completely autonomous and has numerous sensors to accommodate even the trickiest
environments. Imagine
watching a movie with someone and you get thirsty. It is an inconvenience to everyone
watching the movie to stop the movie, but at the same time you don’t want
to miss anything important.
Koolio could solve your problem. Or say you are watching a boxing
match with your buddies and need another beer. Instead of missing that knock out
punch Koolio could deliver you, and all your friends, beer all night long. You have this luxury 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Find a human to do
that.
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