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Robot Arm from BP Oil Spill FOR SALE! — Parallax Forums

Robot Arm from BP Oil Spill FOR SALE!

ercoerco Posts: 20,256
edited 2010-11-05 14:57 in Robotics
For a cool $150K: http://cgi.ebay.com/Deep-Sea-Robot-Arm-seen-BP-Gulf-Oil-Spill-Video-feed-/280444249532?pt=BI_Robotics&hash=item414bc7a5bc

Guess they hope they won't need it anymore...?

Comments

  • kwinnkwinn Posts: 8,697
    edited 2010-10-31 09:03
    It does say "or best offer" so you could always make them a lower offer.
  • RobotWorkshopRobotWorkshop Posts: 2,307
    edited 2010-10-31 10:17
    Erco,

    I don't think that will fit on your robot. Looks like you'll have to start building a heavy duty base....

    Robert
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2010-10-31 12:30
    If that thing can change diapers, I'm sold!
  • RavenkallenRavenkallen Posts: 1,057
    edited 2010-10-31 19:29
    Only 150,000 dollars??? Wow, what a deal, haha
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2010-10-31 20:08
    It takes more than money to buy this item. From the offer page:

    "The seller may refuse to sell to, cancel the bid of, or terminate a transaction with any party the seller comes to believe is not an appropriate buyer of the item. This might be, but is not limited to, any one or more of the following reasons.
    • Not mentally or physically capable or competent enough to safely possess or operate the item.
    • Not of an appropriate age.
    • Lacking the training, certification or functional knowledge appropriate for possessing or operating the item.
    • Does not have the legal qualifications required for possessing or operating the item.
    • Suspicion that the buyer might use the item for illegal purposes or in an inappropriate manner.
    • Buyer is or might be a prohibited entity or in a prohibited country or plan to use for a prohibited application.
    • Knowledge or suspicion that the buyer has a bad reputation (not paying, always complaining, or returning, etc.)"

    Also, this is not the arm used by BP, but one like it "from a secret government project". (I suspect it was considered by TSA for those who opt out of the full-body xray.)

    -Phil
  • gmarchesegmarchese Posts: 30
    edited 2010-11-01 00:08
    Its a schilling arm. The company that manufactured it as its corporate office in davis, ca. The machine shop is in shingle springs. schilling creates something like 90% of all arms used underwater. They also make a large number of the rovs used, but it is a lower percentage.

    I have toured the davis location, and it was simply amazing. the arms are built to customer specs. the controller is really awesome too. It is a miniature version of the arm that the operator moves around to control the arm. The single mini arm is able to control all functions of the arm.

    also, really intresting for what they did during the deep water horizon spill. they actually took a spare rov thruster, and modified it to power the saw cutting attachment. It was a part that was designed at the time, and not something that one would buy stock.
  • jdoleckijdolecki Posts: 726
    edited 2010-11-01 05:29
    It dont look to good and nobody will support due to some top secret clearence issues.

    So its only worth its weight in stainless and titaium scrap is my guess

    thats if it's not radioactive!
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2010-11-01 08:38
    @PhiPi: I love your imaginative and autonomous TSA app for this twin of BP's Deep Water Horizon arm. Ne'erdowells would think twice before undergoing a thorough robotic search by a cold stainless steel robot named "Deep Full Body Cavity Horizon".
  • wjsteelewjsteele Posts: 697
    edited 2010-11-03 09:29
    One nice thing about it is that you should never ever have to lubricate it... it's covered in oil!!!

    Bill
  • Peter KG6LSEPeter KG6LSE Posts: 1,383
    edited 2010-11-05 14:57
    wjsteele wrote: »
    One nice thing about it is that you should never ever have to lubricate it... it's covered in oil!!!

    Bill

    This just made my day . R O F L ..
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