Robot traffic cones!

**Chris** · 29-04-2004, 10:02

I have no idea what to make of this. For some reason the thought of a line of motorized traffic cones zipping across the M1 makes me want to burst out laughing. Can it ever really work, or is it the ultimate Heath Robinson invention?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3666989.stm

Stuartbe · 29-04-2004, 10:05

Looks like a load of old bollards to me

* pictures them being hacked into and all the UK's motorways stopping

29-04-2004, 10:09

i want some!!! could have some fun annoying unsuspecting drivers with those!!

dilli-theclaw · 29-04-2004, 10:37

They look like daleks on a training course

danielf · 29-04-2004, 10:39

I thought the following quote was quite interesting:

Quote:

We're designing the system in such a way that the barrels are very stupid - so that they are very reliable and inexpensive

Ass Prof Shane Farritor

Just like humans really

Stuartbe · 29-04-2004, 10:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by dilligaf1701

They look like daleks on a training course

Or NTL sales men practicing

ian@huth · 29-04-2004, 11:02

They could use intelligent cats eyes to determine when it is safe to move them. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3645359.stm

You can just imagine the motorways of the future with all these gadgets controlling things and somebody in a passing car using their mobile phone which causes interference and makes the robots go crazy.

Stuart · 29-04-2004, 11:08

Reminds me of something I heard about Nasa..

When looking for something to write in space (as Biros apparently don't work), Nasa spent billions of dollars developing a pen that would work in space (and eventually developed the roller ball).

When faced with the same problem, the Russians (the Soviets then) used a pencil.

Actually, regarding the cones, Johnny Vaughn had an interesting point. He said they'd be good for students. His reasoning was that students (when drunk) like to nick traffic cones. If the cones could move, the students would have to "hunt" the cone.

Russ · 29-04-2004, 11:11

They look like something Dom Jolly would use on Trigger Happy TV

Marge · 29-04-2004, 11:28

"At that price I believe the savings will mean it will still be affordable if one dies in the line of duty," said the engineer

This was my fav bit, can imagine a long line of them following the funeral car

punky · 29-04-2004, 11:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by dilligaf1701

They look like daleks on a training course

LMAO

Quote:

Originally Posted by scastle

Actually, regarding the cones, Johnny Vaughn had an interesting point. He said they'd be good for students. His reasoning was that students (when drunk) like to nick traffic cones. If the cones could move, the students would have to "hunt" the cone.

LOL

This thread has been the best laugh i've had in ages... Still the cones would work. Drivers would slow down/stop cuz we'd all be laughing so hard to see all these cones moving about around us.

Nugget · 29-04-2004, 11:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielf

I thought the following quote was quite interesting:

We're designing the system in such a way that the barrels are very stupid - so that they are very reliable and inexpensive

Ass Prof Shane Farritor

Just like humans really

What the hells an Ass Prof

Stuartbe · 29-04-2004, 11:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nugget

What the hells an Ass Prof

Assistant Proffeser I think.

Marge · 29-04-2004, 11:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by punky

Drivers would slow down/stop cuz we'd all be laughing so hard to see all these cones moving about around us.

Sounds like It's A Knockout that the whole country can join in with

Live commentary by Stuart Hall

Get the little buggers in action as quick as poss I say

**Chris** · 29-04-2004, 12:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Debsy42

Sounds like It's A Knockout that the whole country can join in with

Live commentary by Stuart Hall

Get the little buggers in action as quick as poss I say

Maybe I should've put this topic in the Humour section

The whole thing is reminding me of an Australian film I saw years ago. Can't remember the name, unfortunately. There was a hilarious section in which a group of people attempting a bit of industrial espionage, built motors into three cigarette stubbers of the kind you used to see in lift lobbies before smoking in offices was pretty much banned. They trundled these things around the building with a catchy soundtrack - the same tune One2One used in their ad campaign a couple of years ago, that sounds like a phone ringing tone sampled on a keyboard.