iRobot's military bots answer to one tap on a tablet
If you want to operate a military robot all it takes is one finger.
I'm Bridget Carey and this is your CNET update.
[MUSIC]
The robotics company iRobot is best known as the creator of the rumba automated vacuum,.
But there is another side to iRobot that many don't know about.
A military side.
iRobot has more than 6,000 defense and security robots deployed world wide.
Some of these robots are being used in war zones for bomb detection and disarming.
Some are being used in Japan t clean the Nuclear melt down.
Local police use them to scope dangerous situations.
Each robot requires specialized training to operate.
but, now, that;s all changing.
iRobot unveiled a new system that control all these model with a simply touch screen app on an Andriod tablet.
Previously first responders would use laptops and video game controllers to operate these robots, but now just put your finger on a tablet screen to drive the robot and move the limbs.
During a demo, I was able to pick up the controls with practically no training, and that's the point.
Any Joe or Jane can run a robot rescue mission without having to go through time consuming training.
Of course Irobot hopes that encourages more first responders and local law enforcement to buy a few for their teams.
And this is just a baby step to the next advancement not needing a driver.
Irobot is working on programing the robots to recognize obstacles and then give it a few more years and we'll have Robocop and battle.
Let's switch gears to the world of mobile.
AT&T will have to pay the US government a fine $105 million to settle charges over the practice of mobile cramming.
The Federal Trade Commission went after AT&T for collecting hundreds of millions of dollars from customers.
To subscribe to services that give you daily text messages with jokes, horoscopes or ring tones.
The problem is those services cost $10 a month but consumers may not have been aware of the fees because the charges were not always clear on the bill and AT&T and other carriers were taking a cut of that money, at least 35%.
The carriers have stopped charging for those services, but if you feel like you've been charged unfairly, you can go to ftc.gov to ask for a refund.
Meanwhile, the app Words With Friends is back.
Zynga is really not a new version of the Scrabble-like game.
Now you can play by yourself against a computer and.
You can pick a nearby stranger to play against.
And what's a four letter word for junk advertisements?
The head of snapshot said ads will soon be coming to the popular messaging app but the ads will not be targeted so basically, get ready for snapshot spam.
That's your tech news update, for more, head to cnet.com for more studios in New York.
I'm Bridget Carey.
[MUSIC]
Up Next
Download Netflix shows to watch offline
Up Next
Download Netflix shows to watch offline
Amazon's next Echo said to come with a screen
Amazon's next Echo said to come with a screen
Curved iPhone 8? Apple said to be exploring OLED screens
Curved iPhone 8? Apple said to be exploring OLED screens
Black Friday and other turkey traditions are evolving
Black Friday and other turkey traditions are evolving
Facebook drone accident under investigation
Facebook drone accident under investigation
Facebook needs you to fight fake news
Facebook needs you to fight fake news
Airbnb wants to be your travel agent
Airbnb wants to be your travel agent
Wait, how fast can Qualcomm charge a phone?
Wait, how fast can Qualcomm charge a phone?
Snapchat may be worth $30 billion with IPO filing
Snapchat may be worth $30 billion with IPO filing
Nintendo puts a price on Super Mario Run (and the Switch?)
Nintendo puts a price on Super Mario Run (and the Switch?)
Tech Shows
Latest News All latest news
PlayStation 5 Pro Leaked: Everything We Know
PlayStation 5 Pro Leaked: Everything We Know
Everything Just Revealed at Nvidia's GTC AI Conference
Everything Just Revealed at Nvidia's GTC AI Conference
Nvidia Reveals Omniverse Cloud Streams to the Vision Pro
Nvidia Reveals Omniverse Cloud Streams to the Vision Pro
Nvidia Shows Project GROOT and Disney Bots at GTC Conference
Nvidia Shows Project GROOT and Disney Bots at GTC Conference
Expert vs. AI: Is Now the Time to Buy an EV?
Expert vs. AI: Is Now the Time to Buy an EV?
The PlayStation Portal Built-In Volume Is too Loud: Here's How to Keep It Low
The PlayStation Portal Built-In Volume Is too Loud: Here's How to Keep It Low
Most Popular All most popular
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Latest Products All latest products
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display
This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display
Motorola's Rollable Concept Phone Wraps on Your Wrist
Motorola's Rollable Concept Phone Wraps on Your Wrist
See Adobe Lightroom on the Apple Vision Pro
See Adobe Lightroom on the Apple Vision Pro
This $400 Cane Has a Built-In Phone
This $400 Cane Has a Built-In Phone
Latest How To All how to videos
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro
TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro
Get Your TV Ready for the Big Game: Super Bowl Setup Tips
Get Your TV Ready for the Big Game: Super Bowl Setup Tips
How to Use a Quest 3 Like the Vision Pro