Topo (robot)

Topo is a series of robots designed in the 1980s by Androbot Inc., for the consumer and education markets. It is wirelessly programmable via an Apple II with a modified version of Apple BASIC called TopoBASIC (and later Forth with TopoFORTH). The program allows the robot to perform a set of geometric movements, to move about a room and perform tasks. It is like a servant robot, although it does not truly meet the requirements of a robot, as it had no sensors to use to receive input and then make decisions accordingly. It also cannot communicate back with the Apple II any information, nor calibrate its own motors to ensure an accurate task is being performed

The robots were sold commercially starting in May 1983, and were intended to be inexpensive, lacking a complicated manipulating device. By 1984 Topo II (also known as Topo w/ Sound) would release, having updated software and the ability to use text-to-speech. Later in 1984 Topo III would begin production to a limited quantity. This last iteration removed the detachable arms, instead going for swappable trays, alongside consolidating the ABS plastic shell into just two pieces. A final Topo IV was planned during the final days of the company, but only its sensor belt was built before the company shut down. Topo IV's spec sheet was closer to Androbot's Brains On Board line of robots.

Units are beige molded plastic with two drive wheels as feet and stand 36½ inches tall. The series could be equipped with additional plastic accessories, such as the AndroWagon and AndroFridge, for carrying objects. Communication is via a radio or infrared transmitter attached to a personal computer. Topo II and III use an infrared transmitter, and can be controlled by a four way pad on the top of their head that also serves as the infrared receiver. <!--

Topo
Topo--a robot extension for personal computers

BOB
BOB(Brains on Board)

BOB/XA
BOB/XA (Brains on Board/Expandable Androbot)

FRED
F.R.E.D. (for Friendly Robotic Educational Device)

ANDROMAN
AndroMan, a robot that links to the Atari game unit

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ANDROBOT

Has Nolan Bushnell done it again? We'll just have to wait and see. If— in a few years — personal robots are as common as video games, then the man who founded Atari and Chuck E. Cheese Pizza Time Theatres can claim to have been at the forefront of yet another hi-tech craze.

Androbot, Inc. is Bushnell's latest venture, and he has high hopes for this small, aggressive Silicon Valley company. Androbot's first commercial products are B.O.B. and TOPO, personal robots for your home. B.O.B. operates entirely on his own, while TOPO requires a home computer to control him.

B.O.B. (an acronym for "brains on board") features three megabyte processing capability and three Intel 8088 16-bit microprocessors. Five built-in ultrasonic sensors allow B.O.B. to locate and measure objects in his immediate vicinity, and this information is logged in his memory so that he can move about at will without running into things. Infra-red sensors enable him to differentiate between humans and inanimate objects (based on their temperature), so that — supposedly — BOB. can treat people like people and objects like objects. (In other words, he knows better than to walk up to your television set and strike up a conversation.)

TOPO is similar to B.O.B, but he has no brains of his own — he needs the help of a home computer to control him. A remote radio link will allow TOPO to receive commands from your home computer up to 90 feet away.

Both robots stand three feet tall and move about on two motor-driven wheels. They are completely stable even when they aren't moving, because of a revolutionary drive assembly called Andromotion (TM). B.O.B. will sell for S2495. and TOPO will sell for S995.

A wide range of accessories will be available for B.O.B., allowing him to perform many common household tasks. He can carry things around in his Androwagon, for example, or dispense cold beverages from his optional AndroFridge. And an AndroSentry cartridge will enable him to patrol and safeguard your home.

In addition to B.O.B. and TOPO, Androbot has announced plans to introduce F.R.E.D. (Friendly Robotic Educational Device) and AndroMan. F.R.E.D. stands 12 inches tall and can walk, talk, and draw pictures on command. He has a 45 word vocabulary, but his real interest is sketching. Put a pen in his drawing pen attachment, and F.R.E.D. will duplicate any pattern you create on your computer screen by dragging the pen across your floor or tabletop. With a little planning and patience, you could even teach him to do it on paper.

AndroMan is designed to play games with you on your Atari 2600. While you control the action on the TV screen, AndroMan will be playing the same game "in real life," moving over a GameScape that you set up on the floor complete with real objects that correspond to images on the screen.

Androbot has not announced specific prices or shipping dates for F.R.E.D. and AndroMan.

https://archive.org/stream/JoystikVol1483JanMissingP69/Joystik%20Magazines%20%2810%20Issues%29/Joystik_Vol1-1_82-Sep#page/n61/mode/2up

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