Mydeskfriend
| Mydeskfriend | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Arimaz |
| processor | Main processor : PIC24F from Microchip Technology with 8 KB RAM and 64 KB flash memory |
| Audio storage | 1 MB flash memory |
| Radio link | nRF24 2.4 GHz WLAN from Nordic Semiconductors |
| Sensors | 1 TCRT1000 IR sensor of Vishay ; 3 QRE1113GR IR sensors from Fairchild Semiconductor |
| battery | 1 lithium polymer 300 mAh |
A Mydeskfriend is a communicating, semi-autonomous robot in the form of a stylized penguin . It was produced by the Swiss company Arimaz from Renens / Switzerland , but is no longer available.
description
The Mydeskfriend is an "unleashed Nabaztag": a stylized penguin with a white plastic body and a removable blue visor cap . It is about 5 centimeters high and is connected to a base station via WLAN , which is connected to the computer via USB . The Mydeskfriend is also charged via the base station. The microphone and loudspeaker enable voice control and voice output. For autonomous locomotion, it has a two-wheel drive and 5 sensors : 3 floor sensors to prevent the Mydeskfriend from falling off the edge of the table while driving and 2 proximity sensors to detect obstacles. The proximity sensors also enable the Mydeskfriend to follow a moving object (e.g. your finger).
On the server side, the Mydeskfriend is controlled via a Facebook application. A Python program is installed on the client side , which takes over the connection between Mydeskfriend and the base station.
Gameplay
The Mydeskfriend has play functions like a Tamagotchi or Furby , with which needs such as sleep, food, exercise, affection and mood can be influenced. These are activated either via the Facebook application or by scratching, bumping, rocking or talking to the Mydeskfriend's head. The Mydeskfriend receives experience points for these actions and goes through development steps from baby to senior.
communication
Similar to a Nabaztag , the Mydeskfriend communicates with its user via loudspeakers or light signals. He informs z. B. about the weather , stock prices , current reports or incoming e-mails. Unlocked Facebook users can hand over a message to Mydeskfriend, which is read out to the owner. Various functions can be initiated with voice commands.
privacy
The communication between the penguin and the base station is based on a proprietary protocol. For speech synthesis , the messages are processed by the manufacturer's server, but not saved. Activities of the Facebook app are currently not published in the user profile.
criticism
The technabob gadget blog describes Mydeskfriend as a "virtual friend who prevents you from being with real friends". Since the Mydeskfriend, like a Tamagotchi, regularly demands attention, he distracts from work. In a quiet office, the driving noise and audio signals can also be disruptive.
See also
Web links
- arimaz.com - website of the manufacturer
- nRF24 2.4GHz from Nordic Semiconductors
- TCRT1000 from Vishay
- QRE1113GR from Fairchild
Individual evidence
- ↑ The Web2.0 desktop bot MyDeskFriend is now called Pingo . Engadget
- ↑ cf. Article about Visor in the English Wikipedia.
- ↑ mydeskfriend penguin robot toy wants you to be alone so it can keep you company. technabob.com
- ↑ Arimaz Pingo in the test: dependent desk robot . newdings.com