Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sdd.hp.com!hplabs!hplabsb!mgsmith From: mgsmith@hplabsb.HP.COM (Michael Smith) Newsgroups: comp.robotics Subject: Re: High Accuracy manipulators Keywords: robot bartender Honeybee Message-ID: <5837@hplabsb.HP.COM> Date: 7 Sep 90 15:57:20 GMT References: <1990Aug28.234809.15660@portia.Stanford.EDU> <1990Aug30.014817.8794@portia.Stanford.EDU> <141582@sun.Eng.Sun.COM> <5829@hplabsb.HP.COM> <29067@netnews.upenn.edu> <5832@hplabsb.HP.COM> <1990Sep6.202839.15676@cs.utk.edu> Reply-To: mgsmith@hplabsb.UUCP (Michael Smith) Organization: Hewlett-Packard Labs, Palo Alto, CA Lines: 23 In article <1990Sep6.202839.15676@cs.utk.edu> bangsal@ornl.gov (BANGS A L) writes: >In article <5832@hplabsb.HP.COM> mgsmith@hplabsb.UUCP (Michael Smith) writes: >>Mike "my favorite project was a robotic bartender" Smith > >Well, just thought you might want to know that it has been done. When I >worked for Honeybee Robotics, my primary project was the development of >just such a beast, using a GMF robot and various bits of automated >dispensing equipment. We got some TV coverage, but so far, no nibbles >that want to spend money. A couple of talk shows wanted to have the >robot on, but it was going to be a real pain to move it to a studio. > We used a robot to sell beer at 100% markup at engineering society events and then we would drink the profits. It was fun. Also got a bit of TV coverage. Develop a system that revolutionizes manufacturing though and you are still a pariah. We have to get away from what people can do and have robots do what we cannot (such as high accuracy assembly). Such projects not being considered as interesting is something we need to overcome. Mike Smith HP Labs