Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Ninebot

This mini-Segway can turn into a robot helper when you're not using it

Part transport device, part robot helper.

TALK OF SELF-BALANCING scooters or ‘hoverboards’ may have dominated the Christmas period, but it’s easy to forget that Segway is still around.

The company, whose products have fallen in popularity, was bought by Chinese company Ninebot back in April, but it’s hoping to recover lost ground by announcing a Segway that’s part transport device, part robot helper.

The Ninebot Segway looks similar to any other self-balancing scooter. It’s a two-wheeled device with no handles and can travel at speeds of up to 18km/h, but when you get off, it can turn into a mini-robot that can help you out.

Ninebot designed the robot Segway in conjunction with Intel using RealSense – a system that includes a 1080p camera, an infrared camera and an infrared laser projector and allows devices to see the world like we would. In this case, it allows the robot to sense its way around a house, recognising both its surroundings and people.

At Intel’s keynote at CES 2016, it showed some of the things the Ninebot robot can do. It can check who is entering a house (if it’s connected with a smart door sensor) and use its camera and sensors to navigate its way around a room. It also records the footage it sees so you can view it in real-time and can follow a person around if they command it.

The robot runs on open platform software meaning developers can come up with their own uses for the robot.

A developer kit will be made available in the second half of this year, but Ninebot didn’t say when a commercial version would be released.

MobilboardOfficial / YouTube

Read: Explainer: Twitter wants to make a fundamental change to its service, but why? >

Read: This email tool wants to make your messages sound more confident >

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
7 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mac Muinteoir
    Favourite Mac Muinteoir
    Report
    Nov 12th 2021, 5:34 PM

    The day is coming when Ireland joins countries like Canada, Uruguay, Mexico, South Africa, and 18 US states in legalising cannabis for recreational use, simply because it is becoming ever more obvious that prohibition is a failed and harmful model.

    126
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Byrne
    Favourite Alan Byrne
    Report
    Nov 12th 2021, 6:47 PM

    @Mac Muinteoir: Hopefully so Mac, I wish it would happen sooner.

    59
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Supes Kz
    Favourite Supes Kz
    Report
    Nov 12th 2021, 9:45 PM

    @Mac Muinteoir: It’s now decriminalised for recreational use in the Spain (EU) with some qualifications.
    Spain allows its citizens to purchase cultivation equipment and allows the cultivation of a limited number of plants for personal use.

    30
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daniel Curtin
    Favourite Daniel Curtin
    Report
    Nov 13th 2021, 9:58 AM

    @Mac Muinteoir: looks like Germany will be making it fully legal for recreational use soon, which will be a big game changer for Europe

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mary Ryan
    Favourite Mary Ryan
    Report
    Nov 12th 2021, 4:41 PM

    Would love a cup of herbal tea right now….

    70
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Frank Cauldhame
    Favourite Frank Cauldhame
    Report
    Nov 12th 2021, 4:51 PM

    @Mary Ryan: “Green” tea it makes you feel ecstatic :-)

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute JustBEERbarry
    Favourite JustBEERbarry
    Report
    Nov 12th 2021, 8:32 PM

    If they caught nearly 8kg you can be SURE they missed 800kg recently. Boring.

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dean Stown
    Favourite Dean Stown
    Report
    Nov 12th 2021, 8:03 PM

    Destined for people in high places!

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Thomas Claffey
    Favourite Thomas Claffey
    Report
    Nov 13th 2021, 11:43 AM

    Was it Barry’s tea or was he just holding it for a friend. I don’t believe they found the loyns share of it yet.

    5
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds