Motorola and Flashline Demonstrate the Ultimate Wireless Lego Robot

Using a mobile phone to remotely control a robot might sound like science fiction, but it's a reality that Motorola (NYSE: MOT) and Flashline will demonstrate on a LEGO(R) MINDSTORMS(TM) robot at the JavaOne(SM) Developer Conference. The companies have combined the power of wireless technology, Java(TM) development and reusable software components to develop the ultimate wirelessly controlled robot. The companies will demonstrate this achievement in the Flashline booth (#1622) June 4-8 at San Francisco's Moscone Center.

This demonstration will show how a Motorola i50sx handset with Java technology and "always on" Internet access can be used to remotely control a LEGO MINDSTORMS robot using a component-based application running on the phone. Users can remotely send commands from the Motorola i50sx phone through the Internet to the robot, which will dance, clap its hands, wag its tail, and move around in response. Both the handset and the application use Java(TM) 2 Platform, Micro Edition (J2ME(TM)) technology. The reusable Java- based software components used in this application can be leveraged in other programs, saving developers considerable time by not having to write the software from scratch.

"If a Motorola handset can be used to make a robot dance, just imagine the possibilities for future J2ME technology-based real world applications," said Peter Aloumanis, vice president and director, U.S. Operations, Motorola's iDEN(R) Subscriber Group. "This powerful proof of concept illustrates how J2ME technology- enabled handsets can be used to remotely control other devices over iDEN networks."

"Flashline has merged the proven benefits of component-based development with the wireless landscape, showing the promise of reusable components with emerging technologies," said Charles Stack, president and chief executive officer of Flashline. "As businesses continue to embrace wireless applications, software components and reuse will play a critical role in quickly developing high quality wireless software."

Flashline will hold daily drawings in its booth offering a chance to win LEGO MINDSTORMS Exploration Mars robotics kits. In addition, Jonathan Knudsen, author and courseware writer at LearningPatterns.com, will be at the Flashline booth signing his books, Wireless Java: Developing with Java 2, Micro Edition and The Unofficial Guide to LEGO MINDSTORMS Robots, which will be given away daily.

"Through newly released J2ME technology-enabled devices, Java technology is making a significant impact on the wireless revolution," said Jonathan Knudsen, who developed the application. "This application is a perfect example of component-based Java development in a wireless environment, demonstrating the viability of J2ME technology as an anywhere, anytime client platform."


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