Meet iRobo, the Bangladeshi scrapbot

An enterprising graduate student from Bangladesh could be possibly pulling the rug out from under the robotics community with a pet-project he's been working on. According to reports, Feroz Ahmed Siddique of the International Islamic University in Chittagong says he's created a bot that -- when complete -- will pick up objects, mop floors, and perform other simple tasks. The robot, un-creatively named "IRobo" supposedly responds to voice commands, has spatial intelligence, and was made from scrap parts found at electronic and auto shops. "On completion, this robot will comply with different verbal commands for tasks like shifting objects, cleaning floors and standing guard," Siddique says, adding, "I hope people will be able to buy it for less than $1,000." Apparently, the student of engineering has been working on the robot for two years, and is already in talks with an Australian software company about production. Sure, it seems to just be a giant RC car, but soon we may all be getting our floors mopped by the IRobo... hopefully they'll get him a new helmet first. Check the video after the break to see your new robotic friend in action.

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Oct 8th 2007 2:13PM]

This sounds too good to be true, so I'll believe it when I see it. Until then, it's ASIMO for the win.

[deedeedee @ Oct 9th 2007 2:33PM]

it's name should be Awesom-O and should come with his own theme song:

Hey there have you heard about my robot friend?
He's metal and small and doesn't judge me at all.
He's a cyberwired bundle of joy.
My robot friend.
I like to dip and daddle with my robot friend.
He's smart as can be and emotion-free
And he's computin' his way to my heart.
My robot friend.
My robot friend.
My robot friend.
My robot ...friend.

I'm hangin' out in LA with my robot friend
We're havin' such fun in the hot hot sun
We're two of a kind- That's me!
And my robot friend.
My robot friend.
My robot ...friend.

Hey there, did you know I had a robot friend?
We used to laugh and play, but someone took him away.
He was my ten gigahertz old pal.
My robot friend.

[George @ Oct 8th 2007 2:27PM]

Holy shit, that picture is hilarious! A cross-eyed robot with a helmet. Love it!

[BigBirdUK @ Oct 8th 2007 6:28PM]

"....there is still some work to be done...."

Hilarious understatement from the Reuters journo.

Also, check out it's grip action - no wonder it's gone cross-eyed!

[James Ollier @ Oct 8th 2007 2:35PM]

That thing looks just as evil as the guy controlling it

[Crayola @ Oct 8th 2007 2:37PM]

Doesn't look autonomous to me... Nevertheless pretty impressive for something build from scrap, kind of reminds me of big budget NASA versus cut-throat Russian space technology...

[doctord @ Oct 8th 2007 2:37PM]

Islamic University? Isn't that an oxymoron?

[Alan Partridge @ Oct 8th 2007 2:53PM]

No

[techdude @ Oct 8th 2007 3:46PM]

Did you just learn the word 'oxymoron' today?

[Magallanes @ Oct 8th 2007 4:12PM]

Yes, islamic university is indeed a oxymoron cause all islamic people are terrorist or work breeding sheeps and goats in a sandy place. Also Santa Claus exist and politics never lies.

[Anthony Huff @ Oct 8th 2007 2:53PM]

Remember that Simpson's episode where Homer dresses up as a robot to make Bart proud of him?

[easymac30 @ Oct 8th 2007 2:55PM]

I, for one, welcome our robotic, Bangladeshi overlords.

[Joe P @ Oct 8th 2007 3:01PM]

"iRobot, mop the floor"
IMMA GONNA EAT YOU
"iRobot, pick up that box"
IMMA GONNA EAT YOU
"iRobot, stand over there"
IMMA GONNA EAT YOU

Yay robots.

[Matthew Hilario @ Oct 8th 2007 3:12PM]

Yea, but does it have a repulsor blaster and a proton cannon?
That's the least I expect from a robot from IU Hittabong

[Cletus Cook @ Oct 8th 2007 3:20PM]

He seems pop-eyed. Very disturbing! LOL The bot could use more than a new helmet. It could use a face lift. All I've really seen it do is move around and drop a cup into a trashcan. Where's the mopping demo?! LOL

[matt @ Oct 8th 2007 3:37PM]

1) Man makes millions with his unique invention, the iRobo
2) Apple sue man for copying their naming scheme
3) Man switches his insurance over to geico and saves a ton of money
4) Conspiracy ensues and trolls around the world shout and burst into flames.

[Max @ Oct 8th 2007 3:38PM]

All I want a robot for is to freak out my neighbor's dog. This one, I think, is too slow.

[Xzavier @ Oct 8th 2007 4:31PM]

Bro... you just don't get it... That robot is a Rock'em Sock'em robot! It ain't got nothing to do with intelligence. You put that robot in the ring with another robot Toyota, Honda, Sony, whomever... and that robot is gonna Rock'em and them Sock'em!

Even his name should tell you something about him!!! That name don't sound like it is here to negotiate? I got my money on iRobo!

:D

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/playthingspastllc_1969_9438848
http://www.playthingspast.com/mtrocsocrobo.html

[Xzavier @ Oct 8th 2007 4:34PM]

Damn it.... how did that happen. grrr...

Sorry Max. My post was meant for Abes.

[abes @ Oct 8th 2007 3:48PM]

Yeah, a lot of really smart people work on small aspects of these problems. A lot of companies (Toyota, Honda, Sony, iRobot) have put a lot of effort into small things like walking and navigation.

And I'm not saying he's not smart. I'm certainly not saying some intelligent person can't come along and figure out ways to do these things. What I am saying is that it looks like he has a hunk of metal and thats it.

Especially considering he's only been working on it for two years. I'm not even sure if that's realistically enough time to make a fully featured body.

Finally, he's in talks with an Australian company? Does that mean he called them up and told them he had a robot and would they like to buy one? Has he demo'd it at all?

Most importantly, why is this making headlines? Anyone actually bother investigating the feasiblity of this? Any experts? Anything except for what the creator says?

[john @ Oct 8th 2007 3:54PM]

Nice project but what part of this is unique or novel?

[Xzavier @ Oct 8th 2007 4:23PM]

Damn... I wish I would of thought that up. A full size Rock'em Sock'em Robot.

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/playthingspastllc_1969_9438848
http://www.playthingspast.com/mtrocsocrobo.html

[evo @ Oct 8th 2007 4:32PM]

Looks like a real-life Bender.

[Madjack @ Oct 8th 2007 4:37PM]

Is that thing made of the missing missles?

[Anuj Vohra @ Oct 8th 2007 4:46PM]

The concept for this robot seems to be "inspired" from the movie, IRobot.

For those of you that haven't watched the movie, it is a Sci-fi film that is set in the future and is about widely-accepted sophisticated robots (IRobots) created to act as human slaves that suddenly go nuts and attempt to take over the world.

So the name for the robot not only lacks creativity, but is also ripped off.

Also, how is this a new idea/concept?!?

A robot for shifting objects, (not worth spending 1000 bucks) cleaning floors (they already have much cheaper bots that do this, namely, Roomba and Scuba, also from the "IRobot" series might I add..) and standing guard. (I don't see this robot providing any more security than a lifeless statue standing at my front door)

The video demo and the article provide no insight into the robot's actual capabilities. Only that some bangladeshi kid made it...and wants to sell it for under a thousand bucks through some australian vendor.

I love engadget articles, but this one seems to be the most pointless one by FAR!

[cmonkey @ Oct 8th 2007 5:05PM]

I think you missed the memo. I, Robot is a great Asimov novel that got adapted into a mediocre hour and a half long commercial. If you're going to claim the name is a ripoff, at least pick the original source. Or maybe the largest consumer/military robot company, iRobot. Either way, it's a pretty generic name.

Anyway, it's not a new concept, its just probably the first robot to come out of Bangladesh, and it's a nifty project for a grad student.

[Anuj Vohra @ Oct 8th 2007 5:28PM]

Well, I have not read the Asimov novel that you are referring to here so there really is no way for me to correctly site it now is there?

I stated my original reference.
If that reference is not original, then the reference to the original is implied.
I shouldn't have to state all references used by my reference. (english 101)

And I don't know if I would go as far as to call it a "nifty project" for a grad student. This article/video demo does not tell you anything about the robot's capabilities! So you have no idea what kind of project this is. Nifty or not!

Engagdet dwells on presenting NEW gadgets and NEW technology to its readers.
Not re-discovered technologies in third world countries. (no disrespect to third world countries here....I am from one of them)

Somalia just invented their first microwave...lets make engadget headline news out of it!!

[BigBirdUK @ Oct 8th 2007 6:43PM]

Anuj, I think you missed a whole in-tray of memos.

How much of Engadgets reporting is truly "new" - it generally all looks like 9/10 evolution and 1/10 revolution to me.

And just because you claim to be from a third world country gives you absolutely no excuse to disrespect their capabilities.

[Anuj Vohra @ Oct 8th 2007 11:36PM]

Here are the last 5 engadget headlines..

1) Phone, iPod touch v1.1.1 jailbroken, apps ported and running
- Gadget news. Iphone, a brand new integration oriented gadget (even described as a break through in integration)

2) 15.4-inch Gateway ML6230 going for $300?
- In my opinion, does not belong on engadget. Sounds like more of a deals/fatwallet article.

3) Sony's 40GB PS3 headed for America next month?
- Gadget news. Upcoming new configuration for the PS3.

4) Zune 4 / 8 won't include video out functionality
- Gadget news. Upcoming new configuration for the zune player.

5) Rentokil's RADAR super-mousetrap texts you when the pests are dead
- Gadget news. Useless gadget in my opinion, but a new gadget nonetheless.

Out of the last 5 headlines I just read after reading your post, 4 are gadget related discussions. (hence the name...Engadget!)

What in god's name is so ground breaking about a robot cleans your floor?!?
Also, the article was useless! Did not give me any additional useful info. I got all the information I needed from reading the headline.

My squabble is not with emerging technologies in third world countries. My post was directed towards a misplaced article on a "gadget news" related website.

I'm an IT consultant by profession and I guess I just get frustrated when garbage news makes tech headlines.

There is absolutely no disrespect to third world country capabilities in this thread. If anything, I feel as though third world countries are more capable of providing technical expertise than most developed nations (at a lower price too). Which is why outsourcing is so huge in the U.S. right now..

[Haseeb @ Oct 17th 2007 7:14PM]

Main point is, Dear Audience, Indian's (donno why) always underestimate Bangladeshi's.I met lots lots of Indian's except few(who are really good friends) have high nose or Ego problem when it comes to any thing related to Bangladesh. So dont blame white people or western as Racist.Most of people of the world are some how racist.
So Indians need to be more tolerant or have more acceptance.

[oelewapperke @ Oct 8th 2007 5:13PM]

This thing IS scrap. I mean really ...
1) it has wheels, so it can't climb stairs or even cross the street
2) remote control, and still barely functional
3) that skeleton cannot carry anything, really, give it a basketball and it's joints will bend under the pressure, leaving you with still a piece of scrap, but one that won't move

Check out a real effort : www.anybots.com

[Jason Chapa @ Oct 8th 2007 5:35PM]

I, for one, welcome our new iRobo leader.

[Tom T. @ Oct 8th 2007 5:58PM]

maybe chuck e. cheese will be interested.

awesome tech demo for his portfolio. but...

-- on wheels, so no stairs or high thresholds
-- sloooooow
-- too big & heavy for consumer market
-- mechanics probably need frequent tweaking
-- looks like lawsuit waiting to happen. could fall on a child or pet, drop a glass, knock over a candle, pinch or snag, etc.
-- having outside interest or securing venture capital doesn't mean a product is (or ever will be) viable.

humanoid robots won't be popular in the home until they can do truly useful things BETTER and FASTER than humans. stuff like:

loading a dishwasher
manually washing & drying dishes
vacuuming & mopping a REAL home full of levels and obstacles
traversing stairs
feeding and changing a baby
making telephone calls
learning to put stuff away
running sex toy hacks
cooking and serving
having intelligent conversations
walking a dog
playing with a cat
self-educating itself about your favorite topics

[BigBirdUK @ Oct 8th 2007 6:31PM]

I can't decide whether your wish list is for real or not. Presumably "having intelligent conversations" means that you won't be in the market for one?

[BigBirdUK @ Oct 8th 2007 6:35PM]

Someone clue me up here. When did Basketballs suddenly become the standard definition of "too heavy"? I actually think it might just about cope with a Bowlingball, though don't stand too close when you instruct it to "PUT THE BALL DOWN SLOWLY BOSS EYE!"

[jimmyfinch @ Oct 8th 2007 8:15PM]

Transgojobot is on his way, he's programmed to save the daaaaay!

[nadim @ Oct 8th 2007 9:48PM]

I mean, people, get a life! This guy made this robot without any help from any other high tech company. He made it from the scraps. But when he would have the support from the australian company do you think they will still use the motorbike scraps? They are buying the idea and his genius. I hope he succeds. You are just jelous cause even though you have so much resources here in north america, you can't notice by creating something like this kid in a third world country like Bangladesh.

[tiago @ Oct 9th 2007 2:55PM]

No wonder we make so many enemies nowadays... wise up, folks, if Yamaha or the MIT presented it, or if it were Steve Jobs announcing (why not?) iRobot for less than one grand, people would be horraying in blogs and in the news.

A student from a third world country needs only to pull off a feat like that one and he attracts those bad vibes we can see here in some of those comments. The fact that he studies in the "Islamic Univesity of Bangladesh" certainly doesn't help.

I can only imagine the kind of frustration a guy like Ahmed, who happens to be just living his life, studying and working, instead of building robots, must put up with, if he happens to come accross people with attitudes like those.

[remrof @ Oct 11th 2007 3:01PM]

Check the video after the break to see your new robotic friend in action.

Well I guess it's clear with who (or should I say what) Joshua's alliances lie! You might hope sucking up in advance will spare you, but once the robotic uprising is complete you'll be just another squishy flesh-bag begging to be terminated. A robot's servo-chips know no mercy.

[ider @ Oct 13th 2007 11:56AM]

Other robot from third world country, Colombia, suth america, check...

[ider @ Oct 13th 2007 12:02PM]

Other robot from third world country, Colombia, suth america, check...

http://robot-androide-vincent.spaces.live.com/

[Haseeb @ Oct 17th 2007 7:55PM]

He build it because he is from 3rd world country else he could be Chef,Plumber,Electrician in so called 1st world and bill you for cash money(without tax invoice) to bypass tax ;-)

[naser @ Oct 21st 2007 1:16AM]

To everyone dissing the aesthetics and ergonomics of this robot and also the eligibility of tEh "Creator" saying he should've either made a mechanized box rigged with C4 or something "Islamic" like that, hey...CAUCASIAN NOOBS, WHY DON'T YOU LEAVE YOUR FERGILICIOUS LIVES AND TRY LIVING HERE IN BANGLADESH?

Can you possibly comprehend how difficult it is to bring a project like this to fruition in Bangladesh? Can you, huh? All you know is how to criticize and mock other inventors based on your Ivy League smug. Well guess what, we still have better neurons..at least more active ones...and we are coming there to take your jobs :) Your self-conflicting immigration laws and your pesky moronic brain waves would be the end of you all.

[Nasaralla @ Nov 26th 2007 9:36AM]

GOD bless the Americans! well the Indians as well... now dont ask me which God! :S

[Nasaralla @ Nov 26th 2007 9:35AM]

GOD bless the Americans! :D