When I was growing up, we found the machine language for code to emulate the sounds of letters and numbers in a magazine. I incorporated this code into an AI program I wrote. Later, I adapted this code into a C++ program that launched a rocket, only the code made the printer say ”launch”, only I couldn't get the ”au” sound to work, so it said, ”lunch”. Then this code was incorporated into Clarion, and used to read text over the speakers in a local school. As a challenge, I incorporated the code into an interactive OS we wrote. Later, the code was incorporated into Matrix Layout, to make flowcharting more interesting. In college, the code was incorporated into a Pascal program (mainly to make fun of the seniors). Later, I used it in Visual BASIC.
Some years ago, I got a Roomba, which had a programmable port. During a late-night discussion, a few of us got to thinking about that port. I was unable to get this code to work, but we modified the Roomba to accept cameras and were able to play digital recordings.
Most recently (about 10 years ago), I was given an R2D2. It's VERY limited. The Roomba was long gone, but I expanded on the idea, and added all sorts of sensors.
Since then, I've looked for a little Johnny 5. The ones in Short Circuit 2. No dice.
