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Sony's New Bi-Pedal Robot

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the give-me-robbie-the-robot dept.

TestBoy writes "Sony is releasing a new bipedal robot for home use. It has a 60,000 word vocabulary and can even sing songs." I am especially amused by the photograph of synchronized dancing robots, and the fact that the new bot will cost as much as a luxury car! But it has some impressive stuff like facial recognition

5 of 270 comments (clear)

  1. Sony by rot26 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I sure hope all the songs it sings are properly licensed.

    --



    To ensure perfect aim, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target
  2. Where are the USA robots? by qurob · · Score: 2, Insightful

    It's nice to see this kind of development, but does it bother anyone that it's all Sony/Mitsubishi?

    We've got plenty of bright people in this country, but we don't make things like this.

    We can't afford to fall behind in robot development.

    1. Re:Where are the USA robots? by mblase · · Score: 3, Insightful

      We've got plenty of bright people in this country, but we don't make things like this.

      That's because rich Americans would rather spend $20,000 on a stereo that does everything, or a handheld that can drive your car, instead of a robot that sings and dances at karaoke parties.

    2. Re:Where are the USA robots? by First+Person · · Score: 3, Insightful

      We fell behind in television development, and that hasn't hurt us any.

      Ah, but television (a.k.a. the opiate of the modern masses), doesn't enhance productivity. With their entertainment robots, I think Sony has done a brilliant thing. They've taken the output of their research division and produced a customer facing product. This is extremely difficult with such a speculative technology - just ask Bell Labs. As toys, these robots can demonstrate the technology without requiring the stability of a commercial release. And by offering a new market (besides industrial assembly lines), they can justify increased development expenses because they'll be able to spread the costs over a larger market.

      --
      Given one hour to live, the student replied: "I'd spend it with professor FP who can make an hour seem like a lifetime."
  3. Get the Expensive Ones Out of the Way Now by stoolpigeon · · Score: 2, Insightful

    So they will be affordable in my lifetime.

    This is just too cool. All the Asimov I read growing up and to be honest I never thought I would personally own a robot.

    Sure I wont be able to afford one of these. But I can remember when my dad couldn't afford a digital watch or calculator.

    The expensive, limited units today. The cheap, multifunctional units tomorrow.

    This is cool!

    .

    --
    It's hard to believe that's how Micronians are made. Why don't we see it right now by having you both kiss one another?