Robosaurus 215
wpiman writes "The US airforce released this picture of Robosaurus at an airshow. Robosaurus is a purely entertainment robot that stands some 40 feet tall and weighs 30 tons. It can pick up cars, bite them in half, and spits fire. No- it does not appear to run linux." If you look closely, you can just make out Homer and Marge in the car.
Rugrats.. (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Rugrats.. (Score:2)
(with apologies to TOBOR)
Re:Rugrats.. (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Rugrats.. (Score:3, Informative)
http://homestarrunner.com/sbemail.html [homestarrunner.com]
Don't forget the Simpsons (Score:2)
Credit and collections (Score:4, Funny)
Happy Trails!
Erick
Re:Credit and collections (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Credit and collections (Score:2)
and you would be scared... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:and you would be scared... (Score:3, Funny)
RIAA (Score:5, Funny)
Suing people just doesn't seem to be getting the message across.
Send one to Scott Richter, too (Score:2)
Oh, wait, you meant the RIAA wanted to use them, not that the RIAA needs to be visited by a dozen of them? Naah, just not the same thing at all....
Ah, precious precious tax dollars (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Ah, precious precious tax dollars (Score:1, Funny)
Re:Ah, precious precious tax dollars (Score:2, Funny)
Quick, get the ROBOSAUR! We've got ourselves an illegal!"
Re:Ah, precious precious tax dollars (Score:5, Informative)
Believe it or not, quite a few people go to airshows. And these people are a prime audience for a lot of advertising. So most of the performers are in their own business, and all the Air Force/Navy does is provide them a runway for a weekend. And Robosaurus is one of those. So no, your tax dollars were not spent on this thing.
Re:Ah, precious precious tax dollars (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Ah, precious precious tax dollars (Score:5, Informative)
The Air Force and Navy are happy to host such events on their property, because the crowd these events tends to attract includes a lot of young males who are interested in machinery... a perfect demographic group for miliatary recruiters to advertize in front of. So for them, they consider it a fair trade.
Re:Ah, precious precious tax dollars (Score:2)
Transformers (Score:5, Funny)
Robo is the "World's Largest Transformer". Robo converts to a street legal Semi-Trailer for travel on the nations highways.
Duuude, it's Optimus Prime's trailer!
No wonder we never saw Grimlock and Prime's trailer at the same time...
Re:Transformers (Score:2, Informative)
Also, concerning Optimus Prime's trailer, all Transformers have an allotted amount of subspace where they can instantaneously store and retrieve stuff. He also stores his gun there, and that also explains why larger Transformers like Megatron can shrink in their transformation process. That's the mythology anyway.
Just being of service.
Great!! (Score:5, Funny)
I bet that could go a long way to solving the "fallujah" problem.
1980s? (Score:5, Informative)
Re:1980s? (Score:5, Informative)
You're right. I remember seeing Robosaurus at a monster truck show around 12 years ago. I had to check the article twice to see if I was missing something. Maybe it was a newer version, they added some Weapons of Mass Destruction, etc., but nope. It's the exact same Robosaurus I saw years ago.
Re:1980s? (Score:2, Informative)
It looks like the same one I saw, but I can't even recall the name of the show or where, exactly, it was.
Re:1980s? (Score:2, Informative)
Re:1980s? (Score:2)
Old robot, new Airshow (Score:2)
We still have news on old consoles and computer systems. Why not aging car eating robots?
Ben
Re:Old robot, new Airshow (Score:2)
What's different here is the lack of a reason for the story. Usually, there's a new page about the history of computers, an anniversary, a "remember when", etc. This didn't have any of that, and didn't even mention the fact that the machine is over a decade old. I doubt many of the younger members of the site will remember the ads from the 80's, so they probably wouldn't even know it was old. I'm not sure this reall
Re:Old robot, new Airshow (Score:2)
Re:1980s? (Score:2, Interesting)
This appears to be an updated version of at least the face. If the guy (or gal) who built / owns / shows Robosaurus has figured out a way to make a living at it for all these years, then I say, more power to 'em.
Besides what else you gonna do with a car-eating, fire-breathing robot than show him off for cash. His diet of cars, although
Ok boss, (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Ok boss, (Score:2)
*chomp*
AAAAAAAIIIIIII!
Sweet Jesus! (Score:1)
excellent, so it begins (Score:1, Funny)
Airshow (Score:1, Interesting)
Old... and broken (Score:1)
Re:Old... and broken (Score:3, Informative)
Why is this news? (Score:4, Redundant)
Re:Why is this news? (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Why is this news? (Score:4, Funny)
Very cool image (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Why is this news? (Score:2)
Yes, but kids and juveniles love it. Hence slashdot.
This is a good reminder to... (Score:2)
Answers and Questions (Score:2)
Question: WTF is this doing as a slashdot article? And why am I wasting my time posting to it? Shouldn't I have something better to do at 10PM on a Friday night?
Re:Answers and Questions (Score:2)
2) Why do any of us?
3) Yes you should.
Our government may be corrupt and evil . . . . . (Score:4, Funny)
Survival Research Labs (Score:5, Informative)
http://www.srl.org
why slashdot doesnt follow their stories is a mystery.
Car Show Robots (Score:3, Funny)
I remember goign to a car show in Pontiac Michigan about 10 years ago. One of the first big car crunching robots was there.
I really think we need extreme battle bots. Perhaps the Micro$oft team against the Linux team?
I suppose the Linux team would have an unfair advantage, as the M$ bot would have to be rebooted after every few minutes of heavy activity... :)
Re:Car Show Robots (Score:2)
Re:Haha (Score:2)
But the Windows team leader would fire up his GUI prior to battle, only to find it redirected to whenusav.com. After hours of scouring his registry to remove the new "homepage" he'd just give up and run AdAware.
By then, of course, Linuxaurus would have taken his market share.
Say what you want (Score:5, Insightful)
As AI improves people will start making more useful robots, but for now, publicity like this will spark interest. Some kid just got inspired and in 10 years will make millions of his robots.
It would've been better to save this story until.. (Score:5, Funny)
Re:It would've been better to save this story unti (Score:4, Funny)
Re:It would've been better to save this story unti (Score:3, Funny)
Re:It would've been better to save this story unti (Score:2)
We'll sell you the whole seat, but you'll only need the edge!!
Sunday Sunday Suuundaaay! (Score:3, Funny)
this is like shooting fish in a barrel (Score:5, Funny)
I for one welcome our...our....siiiiiigh.
This is too easy. Just takes all the fun out of it. Aw hell...no it doesn't.
I for one welcome our giant, fire-breathing meccha dinosaur overlords!
Re:this is like shooting fish in a barrel (Score:2)
News for Nerds... (Score:3, Informative)
Much better picture... (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Specialization (Score:2)
Just imagine that buring, twisted hunk of metal as the server, and the giant, firebreathing beast as the Slashdot effect
But yeah, I remember going to the Portland airshow, and I thought the whole thing was kinda lame. Why watch some truck-rally gimmick when the Blue Angels were in town?
Re:Specialization (Score:2)
Re:Much better picture... (Score:2)
Re:Much better picture... (Score:2)
Radio control?! (Score:2)
Would that be a radio antenna on its head?
Hax0rus, anyone?
Re:Much better picture... (Score:2)
Oh Man... (Score:3, Funny)
An idea (Score:2)
They could make it Mil-Spec, all they would need to do is add a couple of miniguns.
Robosaurus > Comanche? (Score:2, Funny)
I saw this (Score:5, Interesting)
About a year later fireworks caught the roof of the dome on fire. After that, No more Truck-o-Saurus
This is why it's on Slashdot: (Score:5, Funny)
See the last line - no Linux... yet.
Obviously, there is demand for Linux drivers for the Robosaurus, and the hope is that some large scale hardware hacker will rise to the challenge.
Imagine the result: Tyranosaurus Tux.
Then there would finally be a Linux cheerleader with the stage presence of the monkeyman [msboycott.com]. Send it to Redmond. T. Tux roars: "Ballmer, your ass is mine!"
Re:This is why it's on Slashdot: (Score:3, Funny)
***cRuNcH***
Um... what? (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Um... what? (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Um... what? (Score:5, Funny)
No, you clowns, not US air force... (Score:3, Informative)
Meet ROBOSAURUS, a 40-foot tall 30-ton mechanical dinosaur which offers promoters and sponsors monstrous marketing benefits via huge gates and widespread media exposure. This Hollywood-style spectacle is produced by Monster Robots, Inc., an innovative firm which combines cutting edge technology, special effects, and a professional entertainment production team.
ROBOSAURUS has thrilled crowds at a variety of venues including motor sports events, festivals and air shows. Its credits include appearances at Universal Studios Florida theme park, exposure on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, ESPN cable sports network, a date with Super Dave and a starring role in an NBC movie, "STEEL JUSTICE," which was also produced by Monster Robots, Inc. and Universal Studios. Most recently Robosaurus has filmed two movies scheduled for release in 2000 - "Waking Up in Reno" starring Billy Bob Thornton, Patrick Swayze, Thereza Therone and Natasha Richardson and "The Recycler" starring Hank Williams Jr.
Billed as The First REAL Superhero, ROBOSAURUS is a great crowd draw and a real publicity bonanza. As a Headline attraction ROBO has broken attendance records at venues such as The Superdome in New Orleans, The Kingdome in Seattle and other airshows and motorsports events across the country.
ROBOSAURUS is action at its most exciting. The crowd feels the heat of 20-foot flames shooting from giant nostrils and hears the sound of crunching jaws and tearing metal as the towering beast roars into action to defend the world from modern-day criminals and environmental terrors by devouring drug smuggling planes or gas guzzling cars.
Exciting sponsorship opportunities range from image-enhancing tie-ins with a social or environmental message to market-enhancing product tie-ins. The monster appeals to all age groups; adults are fascinated by the computerized beastÍs technology-children by its "Superhero" characterization.
Commercial opportunities such as official food, beverage or other product status are built-in. ROROSAURUS was designed so its wrists can turn to simulate drinking from a container where the beverage cans are 50 gallon drums. In one creative "taste" test" scenario, Robo tastes each brand, then roars and crushes the losing brandÍs can.
Monster target marketing opportunities exist, for example, with fans of motor sports, air shows, hydroplane races and other motor-oriented events, the largest spectator audience in the U.S.. The unique marketing attribute of ROBOSAURUS is that he is not limited to a limited genre of entertainment venue. ROBO can perform at a motorsports event at the Astrodome one weekend and be in the "Rose Parade" the next.
A wide range of sponsor benefits packages includes signage and logos, product awareness via massive media exposure, product promotion and custom sponsorship packages. A recent grocery chain sponsor enjoyed a 15 % increase in store traffic for six weeks due to an event promotion centered on ROBOSAURUS.
Monster Robots, Inc. was formed in l988, when its founders combined creative, professional and entrepreneurial backgrounds in business, aerospace engineering and special effects production to create a unique, experienced and expert monster management team.
ROBOSAURUS was created as a showpiece of state-of-the-art hydraulic, electrical and mechanical technology. The firm spent two years developing and building it in affiliation with more than 30 high-tech companies like Parker-Hannifin, an international hydraulics corporation and the project's major sponsor.
ROBOSAURUS in conjunction with "The Portland Rose Festival" was the winner of the "1995 International Festivals and Events Association's Pinnacle Award for: MOST CREATIVE/EFFECTIVE NEWS STUNT".
"Our object is to present large than life entertainment," said Mark Hays, President of Monster Robots, Inc. "This unit is the ultimate in audience involvement and entertainment. ROBO really blows people away, and its marketing potential is tremendous!"
the best part of the Robosaurus website (Score:5, Funny)
NOT a robot, damnit (Score:2, Informative)
But how will it play in Fallujah? (Score:3, Funny)
Inventor Doug Malewicki (Score:5, Informative)
His website has details [canosoarus.com] of other things he has worked on or invented, including a rocket belt, Evil Knievil's SkyCycle, 248 mph electric car, flying can cooler, jet bikes, and the "build your own hovercraft" that used to be advertised in comic books.
correction (Score:4, Informative)
http://www.canosoarus.com/14AirCar/AirCa
Robosaurus is worn, not driven (Score:2, Interesting)
God Bless America. (Score:3, Funny)
fuckin' A!!!! (Score:2)
First off, let me just say that this is a very nice, and interesting use of technology. It's great to think that a bright five year old might see this lumbering heap o' tech and become inspired to think "how in the hell did they do that???" And ask his (or her) Dad, who fuels his curiosity and feeds him math and science until he can begin to make real decisions on where he want's to take his (or her) life based on a solid foundation o
Re:fuckin' A!!!! (Score:2)
I helped him along with David Therian here in Phoenix, AZ set up for a pulse jet engine demo (2001) at ChemLab/XERO downtown (back behind BOB). It was one of the engines that was for the hovercraft - there was suppose
Re:fuckin' A!!!! (Score:2)
Thanks, I guess, for saying that my description was interesting. When I was using words like "demented" and such I was describing the shows. Not the man himself! When I spoke to him back in '95 he was extremely nice
Go to Burning Man... (Score:2)
I underst
Get one of thses... (Score:2)
Park it in the driveway, and you'll never be broken into again.
It is NOT a Robot... (Score:3, Informative)
Robosaurus? (Score:2)
Not too close! (Score:2)
Woah there Smellysaurus.. don't breath fire too close to that KC-10 in the background. A few thousand gallons of JP-3 makes a nice big fireball...
Simpson's (Score:2)
That pic is confused, thats really.... (Score:3, Informative)
a good comparison of Robosaurus to others. (Score:2)
Re:Homer and Marge, where? (Score:2)
from the truckasaurus-already-taken dept.
Re:Truckasaurus? (Score:2)
Re:Truckasaurus? (Score:2)
Re:My refund check better be extra fat next year.. (Score:2)
--
Evan
Re:this is old news (Score:2, Informative)