Using a supposedly open-source software package (Meccano has yet to honor the GPL agreement and release their code) you can control Spykee remotely. At CES 2008, Tom Merritt takes a look at the Spykee robot, a Wi-Fi robot with a built-in camera.

Spykee Spykee is marketed as a spy robot. Not in a military sense of course. This robot kit has a wireless webcam and it can be controlled remotely with your computer (either a PC or a Mac) using either an ad hoc wireless connection or a WiFi access point. Also, it is possible to control the robot through the internet. From the above mentioned you can understand that this can be a very educating toy. Theoretically, it could be used for more serious applications too.

However, user feedback reveals some issues that could make such applications difficult. Do not be confused about its manufacturer. It is manufactured by Meccano Company, branded as Erector in the USA. Anyway, the point is that Erector and Meccano Spykees are the same robot in case you wondered. Requirements This time no war has to be waged between Mac and PC users as the robot can be used with both.

A console application has to be installed in order to control the robot and this application is available both for PC and Mac. So, Windows 2000 SP5, Windows XP SP2 with.NET framework or Windows Vista is required for PC Users.

Games samsung wise star 2. Also the console will run under Windows 7 (I tested it on my Windows 7 RC). Concerning Linux users I've heard rumors that some have managed to get it work. It seems though it won't work with wine. For Mac users the requirements are - Mac OS X 10.4 or higher with PowerPC GR, G5, or Intel CPU. To control Spykee in remote mode a fast internet connection is required - 512 Kbps upload and 2Mbps download.

Also a WiFi access point is needed to control it in a remote mode. Connection The robot can be controlled in three modes - local ad hoc mode, local WiFi mode and remote mode. In local ad hoc mode you can connect your computer wirelessly directly to the robot.

In order to do that, the computer has to be equipped with an internal or external WiFi card. In local wifi mode you can connect your Spykee to your home wireless network. So - a wifi access point is needed.

In this mode it is possible to do without a wireless card in your computer as it is often possible to connect your computer to your router using a regular ethernet cable. In the remote mode you can access your robot through the internet. Basically, the robot is still connected to your wifi access point only you access the robot using a remote computer instead of local one. The console has to be installed on the remote machine. Also, the robot has to be registered in order to use this mode. If this seems too technical to you don't be afraid.