


Talk about a garage project worth bragging about. Salvius is six feet tall, 164 lbs, and runs on Ubuntu. And the goal for this human-like robot is to make it completely self-sufficient and able to do just about anything including:

1. listen in on radio communications
2. transmit false information to confuse enemies
3. change the channel on neighbors old radio television
4. watch and broadcast television/radio
5. unlock newer cars or use remote start
6. control radio controlled devices or use as a radio control receiver

While these are future potential uses, what we find really interesting about Salvius is that fewer than $500 has been put into it thanks to the use of recycled components. We of course love the idea that items that might otherwise be e-waste are being transformed into a new robot. What is slightly more disconcerting is that it might be making our new robot overlord.

The maker writes:

The name 'Salvius' dates back to the time of the ancient Romans, but it seem oddly fitting for this robot because so much of the robot has been salvaged from old electronics and re-purposed materials... Salvius is a standalone open-source robot designed to be able to preform a wide range of tasks and to be able to adapt to anything else that it encounters. This robot uses many open-source devices and software.The primary goal for Salvius is to create a self-sustaining robot that can repair itself and maintain its own power supply while functioning dynamically in a domestic environment. Salvius is not an attempt to be the best-looking robot out there, Salvius is simply made from what is readily available. Money is always an issue in any long-term en-devour, but sticking to the idea that we can make anything from anything, nothing can stop Salvius's steady progress.

In other words, look out for the day when Salvius can go scrounging around for its own parts to repair itself, or build itself up. I'm thinking of a less cuddly version of WALL-E.

The maker has a long wish list of things like various sensors to be added and functions to be built in, including the ability to collect power from various on-board sources -- I'm assuming solar, kinetic, and other renewables that can be found in any environment -- to be added to a single battery. Here is a video of the motion sensor capability:

Tags: Computing | Do It Yourself | Electronics | Gadgets


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