Robotic Penguins

Corporate Troll writes "Robotic penguins were unveiled by German engineering firm Festo this week. Using their flippers, the mechanical penguins (video) can paddle through water just like real ones, while larger helium-filled designs can "swim" through the air. The penguins are on show at the Hannover Messe Trade Exhibition in Germany. Each penguin carries 3D sonar which is used to monitor its surroundings and avoid collisions with walls or other penguins."

uh-oh

[Anonymous Coward]

I hope these penguins don't start hassling me about Linux.

I've tried it- it was a pain in the ass. Leave me alone!

But...

[Anonymous Coward]

...Does is run linux?

(We all knew this was going to be asked!)

Now we need a robotic shark....

[FooAtWFU]

(frickin' laser sold separately).

Re:But...

[Sensible Clod]

Must also insert reference to Tux.

Now imagine if someone could get Windows to run on it. That would be funny.

They already invented this

[LaskoVortex]

while larger helium-filled designs can "swim" through the air.

It's called a blimp.

The obvious question

[mrbene]

Which distro do they run?

Re:The obvious question

[Alan426]

"Just smile and waive, boys. Smile and waive."

Just imagine ...

[PPH]

...a Beowulf cluster of these.

New "stealth" predator drone?

[CompassIIDX]

while larger helium-filled designs can "swim" through the air...

WTF?

Army Guy: "Hey kids, see the cute penguin?!"

Youngster: "But, mister, why is it flying around, shooting lasers out of its eyes at those Muslims?!"

Army Guy: "Penguins do that sometimes! ...Run along now."

Thought this story was about RMS

[syousef]

I'm so disappointed! We haven't had a story about Stallman for ages now!

The year of...

[elite1789]

Robotic Penguins? Skip the desktop -- 2009 will be the year of the Linux Apocalypse.

Re:Now we need a robotic shark....

[SEWilco]

Which is a good thing since at 1:37 they discuss the He penguins and claim "A micro-controller gives the penguins free will to explore this space"

Fortunately, the added weight of the laser will require H instead of He. That tends to complicate their experimentation.

Re:Cue "Head-Mounted Laser" Jokes in...

[MishgoDog]

Ummm you're a bit late... I think your counting should be closer to -32,768

Re:uh-oh

[icannotthinkofaname]

I hope these penguins don't start hassling me about Linux.

They're penguins. It is in their nature to hassle you about Linux.

Heck, they're computerized penguins! There is no escape! >:D

Re:This is the future..

[dargaud]

I've seen plenty of penguins [gdargaud.net] and even been bitten by one: came out behind me as I was chatting with a friend, decided I was in _his_ path and bite me on the knee tendon while hitting me very hard with his bony flippers. I jumped 10 feet in the air. He ended up as a football before I could think about it. I had a limp for a week but he just walked away (fat is very good protection...)

Re:This is the future..

[oodaloop]

Penguins are unnatural on account they ain't mentioned in the Bible. Look it up!

Re:The obvious question

[Anonymous Coward]

Ooh, I know this one. The question is "What were the instructions given to the prosecutors considering whether CIA operatives should be charged for waterboarding?"

Re:Hell-o-o!!

[Anonymous Coward]

Not that they don't look cool and all, but whose bright idea was this anyway?
"To master energy efficient flight we'll look to nature. We'll learn from the graceful flight of birds, like say ... Oh, I don't know, penguins?"

Re:This is the future..

[memorycardfull]

Do Germans Dream of Electric Penguins?