Honda's ASIMO A Few Steps Closer To Human 191
Rauchenator points to an article on Yahoo! about "the new enhanced Honda Asimo which now can gracefully walk down stairs, respond to human commands and even work like a receptionist (Sit there). The Honda site even has videos showcasing the robot doing its thing. The article points out that the robot makes celebrity-size salaries when put on display, too."
How long before "they" rice it out? (Score:4, Funny)
Put some glowing blue lights all over it and they're ready to go.
Re:How long before "they" rice it out? (Score:2, Funny)
Re:How long before "they" rice it out? (Score:2)
Re:That's ADVISED, not Adviced (Score:1)
Re:Listen faggot (Score:1)
just=>Just
you=>your
mean=>mean:
Capitalisation, punctuation,blah,blah
Jon Katz=>Jon Katz'
decrepid=>decrepit
Yes. Accurate (Score:2)
Not that the stereotypes are accurate at all.
I have almost no hair at all. I'm what you might call "Hairless" if you will.
The solution (Score:3, Funny)
An Asimo to get those slippers and a beer for you, an Aibo to fetch the newspaper... I think Honda is trying to sell joe-doe life to socially incapable rich geeks.
ASIMOS TALE (Score:5, Funny)
'OI - ASIMO - GET ME A BEER! - A COLD ONE! - FRENCH! - A 1664 BRUN!'
Asimo wanders to the fridge, finds it empty, goes down to the shops with your CC and picks up a few cold beers, and a bag of nuts, and a magazine. He pays at the counter, leaning forward as though being a little unstable, and wanders back. It wanders through to the kitchen, finds all the glasses are dirty, washes up, pours you a nice cold beer and brings it through to you. It tells you that the chick in the off licence was wearing 'that blue shirt' and makes a lewd hand action. It then dumps a close up video of 'that blue top' to your machine. And presents the nuts. You never thought of the nuts, but you do actually quite fancy some nuts.
Ahhhh Heaven!
Re:ASIMOS TALE (Score:1, Funny)
Re:ASIMOS TALE (Score:2)
Re:The solution (Score:1)
Re:The solution (Score:2, Funny)
Or those of us too enlightened to demand our spouses do that.
Or perhaps more accurately in my case, those of us with spouses too enlightened to allow us to get away with demanding that.
Side note: Damn enlightenment.
Fast boot! (Score:5, Funny)
Faster than my wife in the mornings, anyway..
-- a big leap from a previous 40-minute start-up.
Hm, that's more like it..
Excuse me, my wife wants a word wit... argh!
Re:Fast boot! (Score:1)
I'd settle for a 40-minute start from my wife. Hell, I'd settle for a wife or a girlfriend. Sigh.
Next up: (Score:3, Funny)
watch them run and blow each other up (Score:1)
If real actors are already worring about digital actors taking their place (final fantasy etc.) then I just want to give them one more thing to worry about.
Stick a beard and a turban on them and ... (Score:1)
I mean, if you have that much cash... Well fortunately, they wouldn't make it through the airport metal detectors.
Intentions... (Score:1)
It would be nice if the web site gave a bit more info... like tips for aspiring robot developers.
The future of robotics looks VERY bright... more and more powerful CPU's comming out... new materials... advances in computer vision and speech recogintion... Let's hope the future isn't _too_ bright for them.
Later.
I wonder.... (Score:1)
Asimo? (Score:1)
Great, what next? Inaugarations by Aibo - hey there nice doggie doggie. Jump over that ribbon?
(no pun intended)...
What is it good for ? (Score:1)
Asimo Special Site (Score:1, Redundant)
Asimo Special Site [honda.co.jp].
The cat they mention is called NeCoRo (Score:1)
It gets paid HOW MUCH? (Score:5, Funny)
Well, I looked at the exchange rate, and... (Score:1)
Well, I looked at the exchange rate [xe.com] and now it looks more like $164,000
that's still plenty of loot. If anybody reading this is in the market for a robot receptionist, but doesn't want to cough up 1.5 g's...for only 45,000 USD, I'd happily come to work wearing a bunch of cardboard boxes covered in tinfoil and talk in a funny voice.
beedeebeedeebeedee!
Re:It gets paid HOW MUCH? (Score:5, Funny)
Seriously guys - what will all those pretty but stupid chicks do if robots get all the cushy receptionists jobs??
They cant ALL become PAs!
Re:It gets paid HOW MUCH? (Score:1)
dave
Two words: Human Resources (Score:1)
Two words: Human Resources
Wouldn't it be ironic to have a robot work in the HR department?
Re:It gets paid HOW MUCH? (Score:2)
Must get that Learn Japanese in 7 days book!
Robot Rock (Score:2)
Like anything else, right now this is just a PR move. eventually the cost will come down. The cost sounds like it is in line with the Mini computers that were destroyed in the market by the PC
You will know that they have become ubiquitious when you can have a robot rock band, complete with robots actually playing guitars, piano, etc. doing the dancing, etc
If fact that is a rather decent prediction. Robot Rock as a Craze.
Done. (Score:2)
The recording industry has already done this. Maybe you're familiar with a few of these "artists": Britney Spears, NSync, the Backstreet Boys, OTown, Christina Alguilera... =)
Re:It gets paid HOW MUCH? (Score:1)
Re:It gets paid HOW MUCH? (Score:1)
On the other hand, I'd probably vote for a politicobot before Bush or Gore. At least it would openly admit to being owned by a corporation.
Man, can you imagine a beowulf cluster of congress? - CmdrTaco
I agree (Score:2)
A greater percentage of our population is employed today or runs a licensed business than before the industrial revolution.
Work won't go away. It will just change.
Amazing huh? (Score:1)
But the damn robot makes $166,000 a year to sit there?
Some people are so intrigued by such simple things, that they spend lots and lots of money on stupid ideas.
"Ha ha! We have a robot as a receptionist! How cool!"
If they could only -- (Score:1)
The honda Website for the robot... link (Score:3, Redundant)
It talks about specifications... and also has a few movies clips of the robot
Your plastic pal who's fun to be with (Score:1)
Share and Enjoy
Share and Enjoy
Journey through life
With a plastic boy
Or girl by your side
Let your pal be your guide
And if it breaks down
Or starts to annoy
Or grinds when it moves
And gives you no joy
'Cause it's eaten your hat
Or had sex with your cat
Spilled oil on your floor
Or ripped off your door
And you get to the point
You can't stand any more,
Bring it to us
We won't give a fig
We'll tell you
Go stick your head in a pig!
(Done from memory - I'm a very sad man...)
Re:Your plastic pal who's fun to be with (Score:1)
Re:Your plastic pal who's fun to be with (Score:1)
oh dear...
Re:Your plastic pal who's fun to be with (Score:1)
Well, it was from memory.. Not listened to the radio series for years...
I can beat that! (Score:5, Funny)
Realistic movement (Score:1)
Isaac Asimov (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Isaac Asimov (Score:1)
Re:Isaac Asimov (Score:2)
Hardly definitive (Score:1)
Re:Isaac Asimov (Score:4, Interesting)
Czech playwright Karol Capek wrote "Rossum's Universal Robots" in 1921, deriving the word 'robot' from a Czech word for forced labour.
This is where our current defintion of robot comes from, and all its derivations.
Incidentally, the first entertainment to feature 'robots' had them rebelling against their human masters.
Re:Isaac Asimov (Score:1)
last night, was ASIMO is about as close to ASIMOV
as you can get without infringing any trademarks.
OLIVAW would have been better
Kudos to Honda for (even inadvertantly) acknowledging Asimov.
Hire ME! DOMO ARROGATO(sp?) (Score:5, Funny)
At $166,200 I'll wear a damned plastic suit in Japan.
I can't help be reminded of the great song by a band called STYX in the rock opera KILROY.
Does this sound familiar?
"Domo arrogato(sp?) Mr. Roboto..."
"I'm not a robot, without emotion, i'm not what you see... My heart is human, my blood is boiling, MY BRAIN IBM!"
-STYX (Mr. Roboto)
Re:Hire ME! DOMO ARROGATO(sp?) (Score:1)
It gets better:
Coincidence? Hhmmm...
Strength (Score:1)
Re:Strength (Score:2, Funny)
Besides, I'm sure it follows the three laws [theonion.com].
Re:Strength (Score:1)
Does anyone else find this disturbing? (Score:1)
Experiments like this seem like we're giving our potential overlords far too much self control, and far too much power. If we keep this up, we may soon find ourselves slaves to a the robots rather than the other way round.
Re:Does anyone else find this disturbing? (Score:1)
Asimo's three laws of robotics? (Score:2)
2.A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3.A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
I'm not sure if that makes me feel any better.
Re:Asimo's three laws of robotics? (Score:1)
I do not believe these laws have been enacted by any authority, not even in the EC (yet).
Write to your congressman demanding the laws are added to the US constitution before its too late.
Don't forget the fourth law... (Score:1)
(From "Odd Job", I forget which issue)
From the article (Score:1, Funny)
It might seem heavier than a traditional secretary but it seems it doesn't need to spnd ages in the bathroom to get attractive enough to welcome visitors...
BTW, 160 kilo-$ a year is cheaper than a year's worth of jewelry, romantic dinenrs and hidden hotel rooms with "the real thing"... but once again I'd miss it
Asimov's Slippers (Score:5, Funny)
2.A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3.A robot must protect its own existence, except where such protection would conflict with the First or Second Law.
...so a robot would never bring Asimov a beer
Scurf
You forgot... (Score:2)
Re:You forgot... (Score:2)
Re:You forgot... (Score:1)
Go on, drink for humanity!
Re:Au Contraire (Score:2)
Re:Au Contraire (Score:2)
I think such a robot would quickly get a readjustment of the sledgehammer kind.
Re:Asimov's Slippers (Score:2)
Which would have been fine with him. Asimov was a teetotaler.
Re:SONY's robotic laws (Score:2)
2. A robot may not injure a human being unless that human being is infringing intellectual property. If that's the case, go nuts.
3. A robot must protect its own intellectual property and prevent anyone from hacking, disassembling, or reverse-engineering the robot.
There's a BBC program online (Real Video) (Score:2, Informative)
They introduce one of those Sony robotic dogs to a real dog, guess which one won!
Check it out here... [bbc.co.uk]
The power of dreams OR whatever yada yada (Score:1, Interesting)
No you fool. It doess't earn any fookin salary. HOnda are planning to rent it out instead for outrageous sums so that they can recover some of the money they invested. With the present economic situation, I don't see any company shelling out megabucks so that they can have ASIMO moving to-n-fro in some exhibition stall....
Aside, does anyone know why Honda got into ASIMO rpoject at the first place. My guess is that they wanted to give their engineers experience in electric motors, hydraulics, and/or system programming....typical Honda....can't wait for 2004 NSX....ye gods...
The next logical step (Score:5, Funny)
RobotFrank (Score:2, Funny)
not here yet (Score:1)
selectively pick up fuzz? (Score:1)
Eliza (Score:2, Insightful)
Remember the old Eliza program which pretended to carry on a conversation? Same algorithm - if you've got absolutely no frappin' idea, just say something non-commital. Fools most of the people most of the time.
Old Glory Insurance (Score:1)
Old Lady #2: They didn't have enough money for the funeral.
Old Lady #3: It's so hard nowadays, with all the gangs and rap music..
Old Lady #1: What about the robots?
Old Lady #4: Oh, they're everywhere!
Old Lady #1: I don't even know why the scientists make them.
Old Lady #2: Darren and I have a policy with Old Glory Insurance, in case we're attacked by robots.
Old Lady #1: An insurance policy with a robot plan? Certainly, I'm too old.
Old Lady #2: Old Glory covers anyone over the age of 50 against robot attack, regardless of current health.
[ cut to Sam Waterston, Compensated Endorser ]
Sam Waterson: I'm Sam Waterston, of the popular TV series "Law & Order". As a senior citizen, you're probably aware of the threat robots pose. Robots are everywhere, and they eat old people's medicine for fuel. Well, now there's a company that offers coverage against the unfortunate event of robot attack, with Old Glory Insurance. Old Glory will cover you with no health check-up or age consideration. [ SUPER: Limitied Benefits First Two Years ] You need to feel safe. And that's harder and harder to do nowadays, because robots may strike at any time. [ show pie chart reading "Cause of Death in Persons Over 50 Years of Age": Heart Disease, 42% - Robots, 58% ] And when they grab you with those metal claws, you can't break free.. because they're made of metal, and robots are strong. Now, for only $4 a month, you can achieve peace of mind in a world full of grime and robots, with Old Glory Insurance. So, don't cower under your afghan any longer. Make a choice. [ SUPER: "WARNING: Persons denying the existence of Robots may be Robots themselves. ] Old Glory Insurance. For when the metal ones decide to come for you - and they will.
Robot attack insurance (Score:2)
When the robot hordes come for us, the ones who only have insurance will be first to fall.
All I need is my trusty BFG9000 [gamers.org].
SD
The choices in life... (Score:1)
I was saving my money for a new Aibo [aibo.com].
I wonder is this robot is also compatible with my Honda Civic so I could read the paper on my way to work.
i'm confused (Score:2, Interesting)
are the amusement companies going to just strut the robot around as is for that much money? or are they going to put their character costumes over it.
i can see it now, "Mickey, take a picture with me."
"What did you say?" while picking up it's arm and twiddling its fingers.
The flash goes off and it fritzes out circa Itchy and Scratchy land.
And are Asimov's laws really what the developers are going to follow presently or in the future? The major funding comes from the military and giant corporations, and we all know they want killing machines or mindless drones. So we have soldiers and slaves, it just doesn't seem like a good future.
also, a mini-discussion @ e2 about the laws: here [everything2.com]
xavii aka bob
event clips here (Score:2)
like a receptionist? (Score:3, Funny)
What? You mean that it can file and paint it's nails, play windows solitaire and gossip on the phone?
HH
--
salay of a robot (Score:1)
hey! that's more than I get! And he cannot even find some free pr0n site within 2 minutes! [given enough bandwidth]
:)
Getting closer to real (Score:1)
But (Score:1)
-Evan
but.. can it drive my Honda home while I'm drunk? (Score:1)
I wonder if it can pick grapes and open eggs withouth squishing them?
to Honda/Acura of North America: Give us back the 5 door Integra!!!
So when are they going to... (Score:1)
I just figure I have a better chance of understanding an electronically modulated voice on that drive-thru speaker than a mumbling teenager.
The point of robots is to handle shit jobs below the intellect of humans, right?
*walking robot*..... (Score:1)
Wierd.... (Score:1)
now just add some depends, a lincoln continental, and some funky flowery shirts and i wouldnt be able to tell the difference
It works like a receptionist? (Score:2)
A robot without AI is like... (Score:1)
Re:A robot without AI is like... (Score:1)
Midgets (Score:1)
4 minutes!! (Score:2)
psxndc
Powered by RTLinux? (Score:1, Interesting)
Heh... My journal works. (Score:2)
Mods - this isn't off topic. Its quite on topic (check the link before you mod).
Obvious military implications.. (Score:2)
Anyone need a fearless ground force? Give this one a few years, lighten it up, armour it, add a rifle of choice, and you've got one hell of a infantry unit. Asimov's laws, whatever. This thing isn't going to be your secretary, it's going to be a great addition to some nations military. There is still substaintial work to be done on the concept, they've definately demonstrated that it's possible to develop a robot that is bipedal and flexible. I'm not sure a lot of people would have thought you could do what they're doing now.
Nowhere is this shockingly obvious application listed in any of Honda's sites or any popular articles on the topic.
Re:Obvious military implications.. (Score:2)
No need to make Asimo 'war ready' - it's to slow
Too slow now. Make it faster. Hell, if it's possible to make a civic run a 1/4 mile in 13 seconds.. :) Darpa's unmanned drones are cool, but they lack the flexibility of a replacement infantry troop. I'd like to see how advanced Honda takes this - bipedal motion is pretty effective for all-terrain use.
The UCAV prototypes and tanks you see on TLC don't freak me out like Asimo.. too much scifi, maybe. I find it interesting nobody has mentioned this already, though.
the future? (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:yeah, yeah (Score:1)
Does it catch diseases?
Re:Biotech (Score:2)