Life imitates Futurama. Although it does seem to be more of a cleverly-designed set of hydraulics activated by a human rather than an autonomous robot.
Here's the creator's website (warning: somewhat non-functional flash interface). posted by jedicus at 11:42 AM on January 5, 2008
Does it actually have optics and sensors that make it bat automatically, or is someone sitting behind it hitting a button to make it swing? If the first, it's rather interesting--high speed reactions--but if it's the second, what's the point? posted by sonic meat machine at 11:44 AM on January 5, 2008
But can it play third base for the Dodgers? posted by Cool Papa Bell at 11:44 AM on January 5, 2008
I'm not really that big a fan of sports. But I would watch sports if it was played by robots.
I guess I'm just a fan of robots. posted by Astro Zombie at 11:48 AM on January 5, 2008
Step 1: Mount on atv tank treads.
Step 2: Replace bat with sword or catle prod.
Step 3: Add lasers of some kind.
Step 4: Give sick ass paintjob, add commanding logo.
Step 5: Mass produce.
Step 6: Accept throne of fearful world.
Step 7: Rule. posted by Faux Real at 11:48 AM on January 5, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]
Sadly, we're still a ways from Base Wars posted by churl at 1:08 PM on January 5, 2008
I've got the book on this robot. I faced him when he was with Modesto in the California League. He's a good athlete with a great work ethic. His defensive play in centerfield is suspect and long term I see him as a DH or first baseman. He is slow on the basepaths and get picked off a little too often. He has no gap power and is unable to leg singles into doubles and doubles into triples. Zero home run power but could improve if Moore's Law continues to hold up. I project him as a two-hole hitter as he tends to make contact and not strike out a lot. Potential to slump often due to lack of speed. Team leader, although quiet in the dugout. Lettered and excelled in five sports in high school. Could stand to bulk up a little bit. Arm strength is average. Will never turn on his manager. Gives a very dry interview. Can recalculate his batting average in the time it takes him to get out the batter's box. posted by vito90 at 1:32 PM on January 5, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]
What's a robit? posted by ORthey at 1:54 PM on January 5, 2008
It's less of a "baseball playing robot" than a "baseball bat swinging robot".
"That's enough fastballs, throw him some breaking stuff." posted by Sphinx at 2:08 PM on January 5, 2008
It's more of a machine than a robot. Nothing to fear from that contraption.....but if you see these things coming your way, run for the hills ! posted by HappyHippo at 2:28 PM on January 5, 2008
looks like check swing after check swing to me.
Looks like the same pitch and the same swing all the time to me. As long as you timed it right, it would hit the ball every time. posted by carter at 2:42 PM on January 5, 2008
I'd be more impressed if a human was pitching to him. It. posted by notmydesk at 3:17 PM on January 5, 2008
Yeah, it looks more like a streightforward machine than a robot. Moderately interesting, but nothing really amazing. I don't think anyone was behind it hitting the button, it looked more like it was triggered by the same mechanism that fired the ball. posted by sotonohito at 3:23 PM on January 5, 2008
Not that it's not impressive ... It's a pretty cool piece of work. posted by carter at 3:27 PM on January 5, 2008
I hope *that* wasn't the Jackie Robinson of robotics, that's going to open up baseball for robotkind. posted by jamstigator at 3:39 PM on January 5, 2008
10 PRINT "HEY BATTER-BATTER-BATTER"
20 PRINT "SWING BATTER-BATTER-BATTER"
30 REM This one's an easy out
40 GOTO 10 posted by Smart Dalek at 3:44 PM on January 5, 2008 [3 favorites has favorites]
I mean it's great and all that someone built a cool robot like that, but it's not really "playing baseball." It's a robot that swings a bat and hits pitches.
That's impressive for an individual to construct, but since batting cages have had robots that pitch the balls to you for at least 20 years now it's not really revolutionary. I mean, BattleBots was five years ago and it was robots moving around swinging various instruments at each other. posted by XQUZYPHYR at 4:50 PM on January 5, 2008
XQUZYPHYRwrites"BattleBots was five years ago and it was robots moving around swinging various instruments at each other"
Yes, but I believe ( I didn't check the details) this bot is completely automated, calculating trajectory, tracking the ball ? Whereas if my memory serves battlebots were remotely controlled, kind of cheating in the world of robotics.
That's impressive and somehow scary.
HASTA LA PASTA, BABY ! posted by elpapacito at 5:06 PM on January 5, 2008
I always said the designated hitter rule was a slippery slope. posted by Slithy_Tove at 5:50 PM on January 5, 2008
This guy seriously needs some steroids. posted by Flunkie at 8:47 PM on January 5, 2008
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posted by fire&wings at 11:39 AM on January 5, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]