Topo (robot)


Topo is a robot designed in the 1980s by Androbot Inc., for the consumer and education markets. It is programmable via Apple II and there is a user made program for the Windows 9x operating systems. The programming language allows the robot to perform a set of geometric movements, to move about a room and perform tasks. It is like a servant robot, although it does not truly meet the requirements of a robot, as it had no sensors to use to receive input and then make decisions accordingly.
The robots were sold commercially starting in early 1983, and were intended to be inexpensive, lacking a complicated manipulating device. Units are beige molded plastic with two drive wheels as feet and stand about 36 inches tall. Arms on Topo 1 and 2 fold out, but Topo 3 lacks arms altogether. Operation is based on one of two programming languages, either Apple BASIC, a modified version of the Logo language, or a version of Forth.
Communication is via a radio or infrared transmitter attached to a personal computer. Topo 2 and 3 use an infrared transmitter, and can be controlled by a four way pad on the top of their head that also serves as the infrared receiver.
In its final versions, Topo abilities include a text-to-speech processor, so that users can program their robots to wander around the house and speak to humans. However, a fourth model was made but it never went into production. It is more like the Brains On Board robot than a Topo.