Did you know that Linux milks cows, runs a motorcycle and makes coffee too?
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Thursday, October 17, 2013: Open source and specifically Linux isn't all about license or a coding methodology, it has already begun to sprout up everywhere apart from just your computer systems and applications. Here's a compilation of some of the more surprising places you'll find your beloved operating system.
1. US Postal Service
Linux has gone postal. For the past decade, the US Postal Service has relied on a mail sorting system that uses Linux OS at its heart. And for those who really love Linux, there are some Linux themes stamps to decorate their mail which can be found atZazzle.com.
2. Robots
Isamu is said to be the first humanoid Robot to run on Linux late in 2001. But since then, Linux has become a popular basis for all kinds of robots including Pleo, an animatronic dinosaur toy and the Katana Robotic Arm for industrial applications built by Neuronics.
3. The Linux motorcycle
Mavizen's TTX02 is billed as the first electronic racing motorcycle with an onboard-computer, USB ports and an IP address. This lets the crew tune the bike over a WLAN. It can hit speeds of 130 mph and it's all powered by a Linux system.
4. Coffee maker
This commercial coffee maker was on display at Embedded World in Nurmberg, Germany. It runs on Linux and was built with the Qt framework. It's not available for consumers, but a few years ago a Linux lover published instructions for building your own Linux coffee pot. We say cheers to Penguin-inspired Java.
5. Linux milks the cow
Farm equipment manufacturer, DeLaval made a robotic milking machine that not only runs on Linux (and Windows), but lets the farmer operate it via a wireless, remote control. Now that's what we call milking a free OS.
6. Security Cameras
Linux backs the Zone Minder's home video camera surveillance system. ZoneMinder is an integrated set of applications for surveillance, capture, recording of any CCTV or security camera attached to a Linux-based machine. There is no limit to the number of cameras the app can support, beyond what your Linux machine can handle.
7. Traffic Lights
Next time you're stopped at a traffic light, take a moment to think geek...or rather Peek. Peek Traffic makes a series of Linux-based traffic lights that keeps traffic flowing in places like Iowa, New York and on the 101 in L.A.
