Let's be real here for a sec: printers are almost always a snoozefest. But when it's a Roomba-like robotic printer that's at your beck and call, spitting print-outs while following you around, then things get a lot more exciting. Fuji Xerox recently tested its latest experimental model, which comes with wheels so it can come to you when you call it, and lasers, so it can avoid obstacles and find you. During its test run in a Tokyo building, people had to access a special URL and drag a file into the browser window if they want to summon the roving printer. In order to protect everyone's privacy (as the machine could be accessed by anyone in the building's lounge), users had to authenticate their order by scanning their personal "Print Delivery Service" cards -- the printer won't actually be spewing out documents while rolling to their destination. Unfortunately, you can't get one of these machines to spice up your offices just yet, so you'll have to endure using those boring printers (if you still even use one anymore) for now.
[Image credit: Getty Images, Nikkei (Fuji Xerox machine)]
Filed under: Robots
Source: TechOn
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