Wireless Home Networking - Index of

350
Part V: The Part of Tens
Your Robots
Checking out new wireless gadgets
The merging of wireless and other consumer
goods is a major economic trend. You can expect
that you will have many more options in the
future to improve your life (or ruin it) using Wi-Fi
devices. Here are three great places to keep
track of the latest and greatest in new wireless
products:
� Gizmodo (www.gizmodo.com): Gizmodo
tracks all the leading-edge gadgets of any
type. This site is fun to visit, just to see what
someone has dreamed up. As we write this
chapter, there’s a neat story about glow-inthe-dark
light bulbs that still provide luminescence
after they’re turned off — that’s
emergency lighting! For your wireless fancy,
all sorts of articles on new wireless wares
appear each week; just be prepared —
many are available only in Asia. Rats!
� Engadget (www.engadget.com): Engadget
was founded by one of the major editors
from Gizmodo. It largely mimics Gizmodo but
with meatier posts and reader comments for
many articles.
� EHomeUpgrade (www.ehomeupgrade.com):
EHomeUpgrade covers a broader spectrum
of software, services, and even industry
trends, but hardcore wireless is a mainstay
of its fare as well.
You can’t go wrong checking these sites regularly
to see what’s new to put in your home!
Current technology dictates that robots are reliant on special algorithms and
hidden technologies to help them navigate. For example, the Roomba robotic
vacuum cleaner, from iRobot (www.irobot.com, $119–$499), relies on internal
programming and virtual walls to contain its coverage area. The Friendly
Machines Robomow robotic lawnmower relies on hidden wiring under the
ground (www.friendlymachines.com, $1,100 to $1,500).
iRobot also has been busy shaking up the home with robots for floor washing
(Scooba, $299–$499), shop sweeping (Dirt Dog, $129), pool cleaning (Verro,
$799–$1,099), and gutter cleaning (Looj, $99–$169). They even have a robot
(ConnectR, $499) for remote visitation — you can remotely control ConnectR
to roam your house and send back audio and video — who needs a dog
anymore?
As your home becomes even more wirelessly connected, devices can start to
triangulate their positions based on home-based homing beacons of sorts
that help them sense their position at any time. The presence of a wireless
home network will drive new innovation into these devices. Most manufacturers
are busy designing 802.11 and other wireless technologies into the next
versions of their products.