Close Encounters
Friday, June 9th, 2006So we installed a new type of battery in the bot that will give us much longer run times due to it’s power density and much lower weight and it was time to take the bot outside to get some stats. I also wanted to get some pictures of the new camouflage skin and test out some new features that I added to the software.
After driving the bot around for about a half of an hour, I decided to stop in the shade between two trees to take a picture. When I went back inside the building to take control of the bot once again, I saw this strange being in the bot’s PTZ camera. I moved the bot forward, slightly, and the creature scurried away. I was sad. But then, a few seconds later, it returned! The now obvioulsy intelligent being then motioned for me to drive closer and begin to follow it. The being (I will call him Sue) finally led me to the shade of a great tree where, I assume, Sue was more comfortable. Sue then kneeled down and took a closer look at my remotely operated explorer. I started to back away after a minute to get back to my original task, but Sue was still too intrigued and wanted me to keep following him. Alas, I could not stay. After a brief introduction to Sue’s friend, I had to drive away. This is definately one encounter that I will not soon forget.
