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Japanese Robot on Diplomatic Tour

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the strange-ambassadors dept.

baquiano writes "Inaugurating 21st century diplomacy, Japan's Pime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is visiting Prague this week, accompanied by Honda's experimental humanoid robot, Asimo. According to this story, Asimo even attended the official dinner. Apparently, the Czech Prime Minister Spidla has often been criticized because he's too 'stiff' and 'robot-like.'" Uncomfortable moments aside, it's a fitting tribute, for as stated in the story, the Czech writer Karel Capek was the first to use the term robot.

2 of 168 comments (clear)

  1. Isaac Asimov by Dr.+Jest · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The robot's name is also an obvious tribute to Isaac Asimov, the science fiction writer who gave us the Three Laws of Robotics. I'd think the article would have mentioned that, but I guess the reporter is sadly SF illiterate.

  2. I wonder what drives the Japanese? by wordisms · · Score: 4, Interesting

    This is very interesting considering this recent article on Japan's new 30-year robot plan.

    I've always wondered why the Japanese are so driven towards technology, and especially robots, so much more that most western cultures. Westerners tend to buy more traditional technological products, and those products we buy tend to have a slow progression in form and function.

    This just doesn't seem to be the case in Japan, and I wish I knew why. Unfortunantely I haven't yet been able to visit Japan or become more accustomed with their culture.

    Would any /.'ers like to answer this one?