Robot Stock News has an interesting post about a new robot company, SmartMow, and their self titled product, a robotic lawnmower. The mower, which is currently available for preorder, will retail for $999 and features lithium batteries, a self-charger and can supposedly mow 1/3 of an acre on a single charge. SmartMow is currently offering this mower for a special price of $749 ($175 reserve price, and the rest when the product delivers in the Spring).

The SmartMow requires a perimeter wire to tell it the boundaries to mow, but only weighs 17 pounds – much lighter than other robotic mowers. You may also remember that iRobot has filed a patent for robotic lawnmowers, so we may be seeing some significant market competition in the coming years. This is a good thing.

Personally, I think laying down a perimeter wire is a significant barrier to entry. SmartMow will have to work very well to attract new buyers and word-of-mouth marketing. The Roomba hasn’t sold millions of times just because of it’s price point, but because it, like the iPod, does what it’s supposed to do excellently – SmartMow should take note.

We’ve reported on such matter before, but once again a US Military drone (robot) has successfully fired on and killed at least 5 militants (terrorists) on the Pakistani border. It’s great to hear that the “bad guys” are getting the due, and that US soldiers are being kept from harm by our robotic pals. Unfortunately, simply using an unmanned system to do your dirty work doesn’t eliminate all of the risks of combat. While the robot may be one the one carrying and firing the missile, humans are still ultimately giving the command and stuck with the consequences of taking a human life.

With great (robotic) power, comes great (robotic) responsibility. Shoot wisely.

Ok, so we’ve heard songs about robots before, but unless you happen to be a fan of Flight of the Conchords, perhaps you haven’t heard this one – “The Humans are Dead“. Sung from the point-of-view of two conquering robot overlords, it’s a clever and distopian view of our future.

Oh, and be sure to catch the “binary solo”. It’s a classic.

You may have noticed a fun new poll I posted a few days ago, but if you haven’t, cast your vote(s) for your favorite robot movies. I’m sure there’s plenty that I’ve left off, so the poll allows you to add new items. Have fun!

A couple interesting submarine launched UAVs, one by Raytheon and another, VOLANS, built by a German company, are featured in this Register article. The Submarine Over the Horizon Organic Capabilities, or SOTHOC, built by Raytheon, is launched out of the waste disposal lock of a submarine. SOTHOC then decents to a preset depth where it rises to the surface and launches a unmanned flying vehicle to gather data. The UAV can relay the data back to the sub via antenna, or if the sub whishes to remain anonymous the data can be relayed via satellite back to the US. This system allows a submarine to lauch an UAV while remaining submerged, in contrast to the VOLANS, which launches via a mast attached to the robot. The VOLANS functions as a mobile periscope for the sub.