If you’re not freaked out by the idea of a robot roaming around outside your house, you might be interested in Louisiana State University’s AgBot. The solar-powered multi-function robot can do everything from taking care of your garden to guarding your house at night.
AgBot has the impressive ability to both fertilize soil and plant seeds. It even has a built-in GPS to map out the land and mark structures to ensure it doesn’t bump into them.
The robot has an impressive built-in security system, too—it has a night-vision camera on top of a 360 degree swivel, a high-frequency alarm system, and an advanced motion detector. If AgBot senses motion, it will take a picture of the intruder and e-mail you a photo.
AgBot is still very much a prototype—its battery only lasts for 4 hours, making it a weak security device. But AgBot’s programmers expect the robot to eventually use stronger motors that will lead to a longer life.
When the robot does go on sale, its price tag won’t be out of reach for most consumers. The prototype was built for only $2,000, so a commercial version can probably be produced on the cheap.
Photo Credit: LSU
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