TALOS (1995) by Real World Interface (RWI), Dublin, NH. TALOS is an RWI B21 robotic platform equipped with sonar, infrared and bumper sensors as well as a stereoscopic vision system. TALOS roams the halls of the Computational Vision and Robotics Laboratory (CVRL), at the Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH), in Crete, Greece.
In Greek mythology, Talos was a giant automaton forged by Hephaestus (or Daedalus) to protect Europa and the island of Crete. Talos is described as a man of bronze carrying copper plates inscribed with the laws of Crete. Talos patrolled the Cretan coastline three times a day, hurling boulders at marauding ships. Myth has it that Talos would enter a fire until his metal body was red-hot, then grab any intruders who managed to land and incinerate them in a burning embrace. The myth represents Minoan mastery of copper and metallurgy. In the classic 1963 film, "Jason and the Argonauts," Talos appears as a colossal, 70-meter-tall living bronze statue, brought to life by Ray Harryhausen.
