Looking for a way to really creep out the babysitter when you call to check up? Instead of just calling, use Fujitsu's new MARON-1 phone-controlled robot.

Think of MARON-1 as a combination spycam and universal remote on wheels. Fully-programmable, you can order the device to make regular rounds through your home taking pictures and turning remote-controlled devices on and off with its infrared port. Or it can act as a sentry by watching a location for activity and sounding an alert or calling a preset phone number if an intruder appears.

But the coolness really kicks in when you use an image-capable cell phone to operate the robot directly. Sure, you can drive it around using the phone's keypad, and use the big googly eyeball-looking cameras on top to check your progress. Or you can program in the layout of your home and simply order it to self-navigate from one destination to another. Imagine the photos of your babysitter's confused discomfort when the MARON-1 trundles up to peer at her. You can bet that will keep her from raiding the fridge -- though you might have trouble hiring her again.

While not yet available commercially, Fujitsu premiered the robotic appliance on October 12 at the Japan Robot Conference at Osaka University.

http://pr.fujitsu.com/en/news/2002/10/7.html

-- Robert Myers