The video games are finally coming to life, especially in Iraq where America is experimenting with its “improvised explosive devices” like iRobot’s PackBot. Hundreds of PackBot units are already doing their job in the gulf. The 44 pound $100,000 squat, rectangular robot is equipped with eight cameras and chemical sensors that run on BlueCat linux operating system.



The bulky unit can deftly climb a staircase, hold objects with its extendable arm and can scan 3-D images and maps and follows them automatically carving out its own path. The most important use of the ultimate machine, for which it’s especially designed, is in bomb disposal campaign and surveillance in hostile environment. It automatically follows the physiography of the area detected by its sensors.



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