Bj Linux-based Robo-Mutt is Smarter than AIBO July 9, 2007

Read more Gadgets , Robots

Bj will be the new robot mutt in town when it arrives worldwide this autumn. It may not have Sony's pedigree, but it's smarter than any other pup-bot ever. Designed for research and hacking, the fully programmable Bj uses Linux and is loaded with an i.MX 533MHz processor based on an ARM core with 64MB of RAM. The rest of the technical specs makes Bj almost as smart as my Border Terrier*.

It also uses Kondo's servo-motors, wireless LAN and a 350,000-pixel CMOS sensor capable of getting 30 frames per second video. Bj's whooping $4,900 price tag will get you:

CPU
i.MX 533 MHz (ARM11 core)

Main memory
RAM: 64MB
Flash ROM: 16MB

Program supply medium: USB memory stick

Interface
LAN 1
USB 2
Serial 3
PWM 24
ADC 8

Motion
Head: 2 degree of freedom
Mouth: 1 degree of freedom
Leg section: 3 degree of freedom
Tail: 1 degree of freedom
(Total 16 degree of freedom)

Built-in sensors
Infrared ray system distance sensor 1
Accelerating sensor 1
Meat sphere sensor 4

Setting switch
Main switch 1
Back switch 2

Image processing module
350,000 pixel CMOS sensor
30fsp 6 color center of gravity output

Size
Approximately 180 x 312 x 350mm (width xheight x depth)

Weight
Approximately 2.5Kg (the battery it includes)

Power source (battery)
NiMH 10.8V-800mAh

* Actually, not really. It's still a silly robot, but at least this one doesn't leak battery acid everywhere.

Product page [iXs Research via Impress Robot Watch]