| In 2005 we watched robotic systems do the | | | | automatic self serve systems which opened the |
| impossible. For instance we watched a Volkswagon | | | | gasoline filler hatch unscrewed the cap, filled your car, |
| named "Stanley" drive 200 plus miles through the | | | | replaced the cap, charged you card, closed the gas |
| desert, driving on steep canyon cliffs, through tunnels | | | | cap door and well there you go. |
| and over absolutely horrific terrain, while averaging a | | | | In 2006 we will see more and more industries do this. |
| 35-mph click. And this Stanford Built robotic guidance | | | | Right now you can get a lawn mower and mow your |
| system did so without remote control, without a driver | | | | lawn once, set it and it will remember and all you have |
| and fully autonomously all by its lonesome. | | | | to do is remember to start it in the same place every |
| In 2005 we saw more car washes being built around | | | | time. Soon you gardener will drive up, program your |
| the nation, with no people working there, perhaps | | | | lawn. Punch in Mr. Smith's Lawn One or SL1 and it will |
| someone to take your money or a kiosk where you | | | | mow, blow and go and even load itself back onto the |
| put in your order and simply drove thru. The machine | | | | trailer or drive itself to the nextdoor neighbors to do his |
| and robotic system sensed the presence of your | | | | lawn next. What does this mean to you? Lower costs |
| automobile in the tunnel and started cleaning it, just like | | | | due to less labor for your gardener's crew and more |
| that. | | | | profit for your gardener too. So, think on this in 2006. |
| In 2005 we saw a few Shell Gas Stations with | | | | |