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Autonomous Docking Laser-Guided Robotic Wheelchair
This robotic wheelchair has autonomous laser-guided docking - pretty cool for earth-bound tech. Researchers in Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, working with Freedom Sciences of Philadelphia, have retrofitted their system onto commercially available chairs and a Chrysler minivan.
(From )
Compare this fully autonomous wheelchair docking with the following Jules Verne ATV Autonomous Docking video
(Jules Verne ATV Docks Autonomously On First Try)
In some ways, the wheelchair has the more difficult task; the autonomous docking system has worked 97.5% of the time even in rain, mist, exhaust fumes, excessive headlight glare and loose gravel.
The wheelchair docking system will go on sale for about $30,000 - much cheaper than an autonomously docking space craft.
Via NewScientist.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 5/4/2008)
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