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Hurry, Just 54 Days to Lose Your Money — Parallax Forums

Hurry, Just 54 Days to Lose Your Money

ercoerco Posts: 20,255
edited 2015-02-20 14:09 in Robotics
This $200 Indiegogo ball robot sets the standard for overpromising. Way beyond Sphero. No prototype or video shown, just Photoshop fluff. Unlike Kickstarter, Indiegogo projects take your money right away. No guarantee, no refunds. I'll pass on this one.

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/aero--3

20150212144422-03.jpg?1423781062

Comments

  • mindrobotsmindrobots Posts: 6,506
    edited 2015-02-19 08:37
    I'm saving my money for the "ErcoBall"

    No Photoshop, no fluff, just good old solid robotics and FLAMES!!!
  • wmosscropwmosscrop Posts: 406
    edited 2015-02-19 08:42
    Overpromising?

    "With a cutting edge framework for distributed computing, machine learning and databank of human knowledge (dictionary, encyclopaedias newswires etc.), the robot can provide answer to all of our questions."
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2015-02-19 08:45
    But...Is it one servo, and can it do a Figure-8? :)
  • Mike CookMike Cook Posts: 829
    edited 2015-02-19 08:49
    mindrobots wrote: »
    "ErcoBall"

    Hair spray and batteries not included! :lol:
  • WBA ConsultingWBA Consulting Posts: 2,933
    edited 2015-02-19 10:12
    I love how the latest comment is stating that he is working on the concept. So, essentially, nothing exists, but he wants your money to pay completely for the development. Are people really that naive? If so, I have a few ideas that need cash to motivate me to think more about them...........
  • JonnyMacJonnyMac Posts: 8,993
    edited 2015-02-19 10:26
    I'm saving my money for the "ErcoBall"

    I'd buy one of those!
  • GordonMcCombGordonMcComb Posts: 3,366
    edited 2015-02-19 13:17
    Erco wasn't aware he left his laptop at our last meeting. I used the opportunity to spy on his latest inventions. Here's the ErcoBall, made of wood of course. Apparently, it's a swarm robot concept. You buy them in pails at a time. They are operated by some form of wooden long-handled remote.

    attachment.php?attachmentid=113232&d=1424380531
    croquet balls.jpg
    300 x 264 - 11K
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,255
    edited 2015-02-19 15:23
    It gets worse: Here's his reply to my tongue-in-cheek request to see a prototype:


    Stan I replied to (erco's) comment: "Hi Stan. That's a whole lot of robot you're talking about. I would love to see a prototype or breadboard or video."


    Stan I: I am glad you like the idea. I have just sent RFQ to two California based companies for the prototype. I might need someone to help me wire it as I am not an electrical engineer.
  • JonnyMacJonnyMac Posts: 8,993
    edited 2015-02-19 15:52
    I might need someone to help me wire it as I am not an electrical engineer.

    Classic! I saw that he's specifying an Atmel chip -- one wonders if he simply took the specs from an Arduino because, after all, one doesn't have to be an engineer to use an Arduino.... </sarc>
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,255
    edited 2015-02-20 08:09
    </sarc>... LIKE.

    Just why he would admit he's not an engineer publically (he posted his reply on Meetup) is baffling. He's only "raised" $100 so far and with PR like that, I suspect his seed money may get lonelier as time goes on.

    My favorite technical detail is that he has one small (~1/8") hole for his "sensors" to see through. Full gesture control. Keep the patent office on speed dial.

    20150212153221-05.jpg?1423783941
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2015-02-20 08:10
    ErcoBall. Catchy name too!
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,255
    edited 2015-02-20 08:20
    Chris Savage wrote: »
    ErcoBall. Catchy name too!

    Sounds like I have a few potential early adopters. Preorder now and save, make your checks out to "Amy & Lindsey's College Fund". :)
  • mindrobotsmindrobots Posts: 6,506
    edited 2015-02-20 08:37
    Looks like I should trademark Ercoball and jump on Ercoball.com! :0)
  • Martin_HMartin_H Posts: 4,051
    edited 2015-02-20 12:17
    Given that they take the money right away, and there's no refunds, this is crazy.
  • xanaduxanadu Posts: 3,347
    edited 2015-02-20 13:13
    Does it make a sad face if you hurl it at some bowling pins? That's worth a few bucks to see.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,255
    edited 2015-02-20 13:20
    xanadu wrote: »
    Does it make a sad face if you hurl it at some bowling pins? That's worth a few bucks to see.

    Hmmm. From lemons shall come lemonade. I think the concept of a self-homing bowling ball has merit! Infrared-emitting bowling pins, perhaps?

    Sense THIS!
  • User NameUser Name Posts: 1,451
    edited 2015-02-20 13:46
    erco wrote: »
    He's only "raised" $100 so far...

    From his proud mother, no doubt.
  • xanaduxanadu Posts: 3,347
    edited 2015-02-20 14:09
    erco wrote: »
    Hmmm. From lemons shall come lemonade. I think the concept of a self-homing bowling ball has merit! Infrared-emitting bowling pins, perhaps?

    Sense THIS!

    I'll build the pins you can deal with the ball haha.
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