DXb\1;GD7DIH
TEACHING AN OLD BOT
NEW TRICKS
Make a vintage robot smarter.
BY ROBERT L. DOERR
A
During the 1980s, as the personal computer industry was taking off, sev- eral companies introduced personal robots for home use. It was an idea
ahead of its time, and while these robots didn’t go mainstream, they earned a
devoted following that has been having fun hacking and tinkering ever since.
The most popular “antique” personal robots are
the Heathkit HERO series, RB5X, Androbot Topo,
Omnibot, and Maxx Steele. Rarer models, such as
the Arctec Gemini, Hubot, and SynPet Newton, are
now valuable collector’s items. And as time goes
by, if you ask me, these old robots just keep getting
cooler-looking.
robots also have ample room for upgrading with
current technology. It isn’t hard to add new features,
and if you do it right, you get the best of both worlds:
a cool retro robot with modern programming and
control capabilities.
There are some classic bots that I prefer to
restore and preserve the way they are. But these
Photograpy by Nathan Garcia
Adopt a Robot
To find a classic robot, check eBay, Craigslist, and
robot user groups online ( makezine.com/19/oldbots
62 Make: Volume 19
