Society of Robots - Robot Forum

General Misc => Robot Videos => Topic started by: Admin on July 04, 2008, 12:34:01 PM

Title: robot arm fills car gas tank
Post by: Admin on July 04, 2008, 12:34:01 PM
I highly doubt you will ever see this at any gas station . . . but at least it looks cool . . . I wonder what sensors it uses . . .

http://www.tankpitstop.com/index.php?pid=6
Title: Re: robot arm fills car gas tank
Post by: Steve Joblin on July 04, 2008, 01:01:48 PM
I've read about this a while back... actually, once you know the trick, it is pretty easy to do... the trick is that the robot first determines the make and model and year of the car (perhaps by reading a bar code or rf chip that all the auto makers agree to put on the vehnicles).  Once the robot detects this info, it uses simple vision processing to look for a distinguishing feature in a specified area (perhaps a door handle on the rear part of the car, or something).  Once it locates the distinguishing feature, it then looks up in it's data bank where the fuel door is (in relationship to the distinguishing feature), what processes to use to open it, etc., etc. etc.

Also, parts of the film where in "fast forward" to give the illusion of the robot moving much faster than it acutally can.
Title: Re: robot arm fills car gas tank
Post by: ed1380 on July 04, 2008, 04:23:27 PM
but you still have to get out of the car to pay. lol
Title: Re: robot arm fills car gas tank
Post by: Asellith on July 09, 2008, 04:54:49 PM
would be easier to have people subscribe to the service and have special mods done to their cars. Then the robot would just have to connect to a special made one way valve with the option to remove it so you could still fill up at a normal station. Then have a special RF chip inserted in the door with you customer number and a code to allow the robot to know how to open the door. User would drive up and stop the robot would refuel the car and close the door. Then you get a monthly bill for the gas and a service fee.
Title: Re: robot arm fills car gas tank
Post by: pomprocker on July 09, 2008, 05:00:40 PM
you still have to stop to refuel lol
Title: Re: robot arm fills car gas tank
Post by: ddemarco5 on July 11, 2008, 01:03:27 PM
Sadly, I think most people would rather just get out and refuel their car, instead of waiting 10 times longer for a robot to do it.
Title: Re: robot arm fills car gas tank
Post by: Asellith on July 11, 2008, 02:44:35 PM
I'm lazy I would rather sit there and listen to a podcast or music while I wait. Wouldn't pay more for it however :) Lazy and cheap not a good combo