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CMU Unveils Robot Hall Of Fame

Posted by timothy on from the where's-darl? dept.

CMU_Nort writes "Carnegie Mellon University has just unveiled the Robot Hall of Fame. Along with that announcement, MSNBC has an article about the first honorary inductees, including R2D2 and Mars Pathfinder. You also have the chance to nominate other robots."

149 of 234 comments (clear)

  1. Nominate A Robot by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Robot Name: Darl McBride
    Robot Link: Darl McBride

    Reason:Darl McBride should be considered for induction to the Robot Hall of Fame for his wonderful example of autonomous operation in the face of outstanding obstacles. If placed in the same position, any lesser robot would seg fault and dump core, but not Darl. He fearlessly plugs away at his thankless job, pressing the PR button. Hopefully, the twillight of solid-state death will not come to this robot too soon, and when it does, may it come suddenly, like a fast-burning fuse popping. Until such time, let's raise our soldiering irons to this icon -nay, this paragon of robotic execution that is Darl Mc Bride and immortalize him in the Robot Hall of Fame.

    Thank you.

    1. Re:Nominate A Robot by t0qer · · Score: 1

      I nominate Gigalo Joe from the movie AI. I mean heck, this was some geeks creation that got $paid$ not just to have sex, but to fullfill a womans needs both physically and emotionally.

      First google link that popped up was for a fan site. http://fans.papervixen.net/joe/main.php

      As a guy I think it would be cool to have a Joe around for a coach. He's sort of a multiplatform system programmed with the kuma satra, men are from mars and women are from venus, GQ, and the complete collection of Ophra book club.

  2. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 4, Funny

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  3. The most famous robots of all by Hi_2k · · Score: 3, Funny

    Everybody knows them: The microsoft marketing people!

    --
    When life gives you crap, Make Crapade.
    Sluggy Freelance.
    1. Re:The most famous robots of all by LeoDV · · Score: 1

      Hahaha I get it! You're sarcastically criticizing a guy for flaming Microsoft without good reason and getting modded up for it!

      Am I the only one getting tired of this whole debacle?

    2. Re:The most famous robots of all by Hard_Code · · Score: 1

      The thing that makes the criticism legitimate is not that they are Microsoft marketing people, but that they are Microsoft marketing people.

      Everybody is free to whale gratuitously on all forms of marketers in my book.

      --

      It's 10 PM. Do you know if you're un-American?
  4. k9? by DAldredge · · Score: 3, Funny

    What about K9 from Dr. Who? That put a rolling trashcan that beeps into the hall of fame, but they don't put in K9?

    Why? Did Lukas donate some money to there school at somepoint?

    1. Re:k9? by geekoid · · Score: 2, Informative

      First, R2-D2 is far more widley known then K9. perhaps the most widly know robot ever.
      second, it just opened for Christ sake, go and vote for K9.

      Third, by putting in a fictional robot, they set the stage. latter someone can't say, you're not allowed, its only for real robots.

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    2. Re:k9? by DAldredge · · Score: 1

      Or they are seting the stage so the wealty in Hollywood can 'donate' money and 'earn' a spot for one of their companies robots.

      But that would NEVER happen, now would it?

    3. Re:k9? by Codifex+Maximus · · Score: 1

      I second the vote for K9. He's got an a bit of an attitude and delusions of omnipotence. :)

      --
      Codifex Maximus ~ In search of... a shorter sig.
  5. What about the Asimo? by ActionPlant · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Seriously, Honda's Asimo needs to be on this list. Unless I missed it, of course.

    http://world.honda.com/ASIMO/

    And how could we forget the Rhoomba vacuum? Both robots of our time that are paving the way for things to come. Obvious choices, maybe, but necessary choices nonetheless.

    Damon,

    --
    http://actionPlant.com
    1. Re:What about the Asimo? by breser · · Score: 1

      Wasn't inducted but they did use a picture of the ASIMO. So they obviously think highly of it.

    2. Re:What about the Asimo? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I think it's obvious this is about popularity and not the ability of the robot to actually do anything...much like presidential elections in a way.

    3. Re:What about the Asimo? by Hard_Code · · Score: 1

      bite my shiny metal ass

      --

      It's 10 PM. Do you know if you're un-American?
  6. Hope they fix the nomination page... by jejones · · Score: 3, Informative

    When you try to nominate a robot, you get a "Bad/No Recipient" error page.

    In any case--once it's up, IMHO Nilsson's robot "Shakey" deserves nomination.

    1. Re:Hope they fix the nomination page... by Sangui5 · · Score: 1

      Ahh, good ol' Shakey. I don't know if he'll get in--the younger folk at CMU don't seem too familiar with Nilsson's work.

      At IJCAI this year, I was on the WUSTL team competing in the Robot Challenge. In homage to Shakey, we had our robot, Lewis, play "Take Five" for background music, as this is the background music in the Shakey video*. CMU also sent a large contingent to participate in the Robot Challenge. Not a one of their students got the joke. Even after being told it was a reference to Shakey, I don't think anybody from CMU gave us anything other than blank looks. Some of the other people on the Grace team got it, but none of the CMU'ers. Well, at least not anybody getting their hands dirty--I believe Dani Goldberg got it.

      But yes, Shakey is certainly deserving to be in the hall of fame. A lot of great achievements in robotics were realized in Shakey--he was fully autonomous, capable of rather complicated planning, and did navigation by visual landmarks. Of course, he had to think for 15 to 20 minutes between actions, hence "Take Five", but this was the late 60's. No fancy on-board computers, laser rangefinders, or probabilistic methods, but duplicating Shakey's performance from scratch is a signifigent piece of work even today.

      * I believe this is the same video. My internet connection is too slow to verify, but I've never heard of another Shakey video

  7. what about.. by laurent420 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    lieutenant commander data?

    1. Re:what about.. by DAldredge · · Score: 1

      Which one?

      The one that is alive 20 years in the future at the end of ST:TNG or the one that dies in the last ST:TNG movie?

    2. Re:what about.. by Galvatron · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Isn't there some bit where he denies being a robot, calling himself an android instead? Anyway, Data being an android was just the excuse to slip a Spock-alike into TNG. Not that I'm complaining, I liked the show, and I liked the character, but Data has no more to do with robotics than I. R2D2 felt more like a tool, was mass produced in the fictional universe (unlike Data, who had a very bizarre origin story, and an "evil twin"), and was generally more believable, I think.

      --
      "The question of whether a computer can think is no more interesting than that of whether a submarine can swim" -EWD
    3. Re:what about.. by LeoDV · · Score: 1

      This is true of many origins of ST characters... Spock existed only because producers of the show didn't feel a woman being first officer was believable, even in the 23rd century (I'm talking about the first pilot).

      On TNG, Gene put Worf there simply to prove the point that yesterday's enemies can be today's allies, and also to have "guy with elaborate makeup" (I read that in one of the books about the shows) on the bridge. Tasha was the more important character, but then she died and Worf grew into one of the most complex and interesting characters of the ST universe.

      So sure, Data started out as a measly Spock-equivalent, because apparently no Starfleet facility is without one (Odo, Tuvok), but he grew in a fascinating character, probably my (and many others') favourite of the series.

    4. Re:what about.. by Galvatron · · Score: 1
      This is a lot of the stuff I'm talking about.

      - When he was thrown into the past via a time portal thingamabob, his head was left in San Fran for 500 years, thus saving the future yadda yadda yadda.

      So having your head stay alive for a long time indicates that you are a robot? Most robots today, if left alone in a cave for 400 years, would probably rust away to nothing.

      - Data's emotions chip made for interesting scenes in both the first and second TNG movie.

      Again, my point isn't that he's not a good or interesting character, but the whole emotions issue had more to do with the previous success of Spock than because it's believable to assume that AIs will not have emotions.

      - I recently saw an episode where Data was lost on a pre-warp planet with some radioactive material, and no memory of who he was. His 'death' in that episode was a lucky event that prevented the prime directive from being violated.

      Most computers, if their memory is erased, are incapable of doing anything. How could Data lose his memories but not his programming? It sounds more like conventional amnesia than anything specific to androids.

      - Data's head was hooked into the Enterprise once in order to take over as the ship's computer. A glitch ocurred where some of his personality infected the computer, causing replicates to generate cat-food and duplicates of himself on the Holodeck. (Poor Worf...)

      Right, because any two computers are compatible, especially a custom designed android and a state of the art military/exploration vessel (and let's not even get started on the old malfunctioning holodeck issue)...

      I'll grant you, to an extent, the court case. It still has a lot to do with the bizarreness of his origin, though. Most robots will likely be programmed to enjoy serving humans, and so the issue will not come up. That's one reason I consider the Droids in Star Wars somewhat more believable, there was never any soul searching about what they were, they were just tools. They clearly had some feelings, but they also accepted without question that they were property, and could have their programming altered or erased at their owner's whim.

      I've repressed all memory of the 9th movie (Worst Trek Ever, along with 5), so I don't really remember what happened there. Was it just that he was a machine, and they don't like machines? Discrimination is nothing new, they could have just as easily given the people a hatred of Klingons, or whatever. And I didn't even see the 4th movie, so I can't really talk about that.

      The point is not that the plot ignored Data being an android. The point is that he is not a realistic depiction of how robots would evolve, or how they would act. It's like those elevators that speak in a "robotic" monotone, because that's how people expect machines to talk. Data behaved how people expect robots to act (no emotions, for example), and had little to do with how they might actually behave.

      --
      "The question of whether a computer can think is no more interesting than that of whether a submarine can swim" -EWD
    5. Re:what about.. by Galvatron · · Score: 1
      I quite agree, I loved Data. You've nailed most of it, the characters ae meant to fulfill certain roles. After all, Gene's original intent for Star Trek was to make a show like Gulliver's Travels, where he could deal with moral issues without being told his plots are to deep, or will make the audience uncomfortable. Data is a useful tool to accomplish that goal, and making him a realistic android would be an impediment, just as trying to have realistic aliens would be an impediment. The half black/half white faced people, for example, I can say for certain right now, do not exist anywhere in the universe. But they were good for dealing with racism on the original series.

      Also, another reason Spock was promoted to second in command is that the producers didn't feel that the fact that Gene was having an affair with Majel Barret was enough of a reason to give her a leading role. Let's face it, her acting is a not exactly top notch (though she does make a good ship's computer).

      --
      "The question of whether a computer can think is no more interesting than that of whether a submarine can swim" -EWD
    6. Re:what about.. by bill_mcgonigle · · Score: 1

      The one that is alive 20 years in the future at the end of ST:TNG or the one that dies in the last ST:TNG movie?

      Always in motion, the future is. Oops wrong series.

      So when the Borg time traveled in First Contact, the timeline forked, changing anything that happened previously in the future (English needs new tenses). So if you enjoyed TOS, TNG, DS9, or, god, even Voyager, feel free to turn off Enterprise - it's a different universe. This also explains the problems with the last two TNG movies.

      --
      My God, it's Full of Source!
      OUTSIDE_IP=$(dig +short my.ip @outsideip.net)
    7. Re:what about.. by NanoGator · · Score: 1

      Oh boy. Guess I gotta put my nerd hat back on. :D

      "So having your head stay alive for a long time indicates that you are a robot? "

      No. Being a robot means your head can be deactivated and reactivated. Robots can be turned on and off.

      "Most robots today, if left alone in a cave for 400 years, would probably rust away to nothing."

      Two important key words here: most and today.

      "Again, my point isn't that he's not a good or interesting character, but the whole emotions issue had more to do with the previous success of Spock than because it's believable to assume that AIs will not have emotions."

      Not exactly. I agree with you that Data was originally created to be a Spock'ish character. However, his emotions or lack of is not so easy to compare to Spock's. Spock's emotions were present, but heavily supressed. Data's emotions were non-existent and trying to grow. These are opposite ends of the spectrum here. Oversimplifying a bit here, Spock found human behaviour illogical. Data found it intriguing.

      "Most computers, if their memory is erased, are incapable of doing anything. How could Data lose his memories but not his programming? It sounds more like conventional amnesia than anything specific to androids."

      Very good point! Before I go any further here, I want to let you know I appreciate having an intelligent discussion with you here.

      Interesting thing happened when I got to work this morning. Last night, my PocketPC froze to the point it wouldn't boot. I pulled the battery out to let the memory die. This morning when I came in, I put the battery back in, and the OS reloaded and everything started fresh. None of the data I put in there survived, but the machine came right back up ready to do work. This is very similar to what happened to Data. His main memory was blocked, but his basic operating stuff was still on-line, just like my PocketPC.

      Something to consider about sufferers of amnesia: doctors can't flip a switch and turn that memory back on. It was as simple as that with Data. They reconnected some pathways and BOOM he was Data again.

      "Right, because any two computers are compatible, especially a custom designed android and a state of the art military/exploration vessel (and let's not even get started on the old malfunctioning holodeck issue)..."

      Well hold on a sec. Data's got a very powerful brain capable of learning. It's not surprising at all that he could generate the right data stream to the main computer to cause things to happen. Couple that with help from the Chief Engineer, and suddenly it's not so startling.

      As for the holodeck, I agree here, that was a bit strange. Lately though, it's not so bad. When you've played Quake with a Tazmanian Devil skin, the concept of Data replicating around the holodeck all that surprising.

      "They clearly had some feelings, but they also accepted without question that they were property, and could have their programming altered or erased at their owner's whim."

      Would it be fair for me to say "You don't want Data here because he aspires to be human."?

      "Was it just that he was a machine, and they don't like machines?"

      Heh I liked that movie. It's easier to enjoy when you see it as a comedy. ;) My memory's a bit fuzzy on it, though. It's not that they hated him. If I remember correctly, Data witnessed something that got him in trouble with the Son'A. They shot him with a phaser'esque weapon and it messed him up. Something about the damage caused him to revert to a simpler mode, running entirely on 'ethics'. Sort of like booting into Safe Mode.

      "Data behaved how people expect robots to act (no emotions, for example), and had little to do with how they might actually behave."

      Why does Data have to represent the generic view of robots? He is a unique creation with a unique goal. I don't think it's unbelievable at all that somebody, some day, would build a robot with the goal of being human.

      I have to ask: How do you feel about Johnny 5? If you feel differently about him than Data, then why? I'm just trying to understand your view a little more clearly.

      --
      "Derp de derp."
    8. Re:what about.. by Galvatron · · Score: 1
      How do you feel about Johnny 5?

      I feel about the same, that Johnny 5 and Data were both well crafted characters who created interesting situations. But the validity of the character is somewhat different I think from how well it typefies the notion of "robot." Both of their stories were about how they didn't have a real place in their world, or about how they were trying to become more human. A canidate for "best fictional robot" shouldn't be trying to move beyond what it was created for, it should be comfortable with being a robot. R2D2 is a good choice I think, for a number of reasons: R2 challenges the common assumption that robots ought to have humanoid form factors, it operates entirely within design parameters (no bolt of lightening like 5, for example), it has a utilitarian purpose ("astromech droid"), and so forth. I'm not putting down Data, I just think that CMU's choice was appropriate given the focus of the hall of fame.

      I'm not sure I agree with the choice of HAL9000, however. HAL is really more of a computer than a robot. The robot, in that case, would really be the whole spaceship. The fact that I can't even remember the name of the ship suggests that HAL would really be a better canidate for the Artificial Intelligence hall of fame, rather than the Robot hall of fame.

      --
      "The question of whether a computer can think is no more interesting than that of whether a submarine can swim" -EWD
  8. This guy needs to be inducted... by rolocroz · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Marvin the Paranoid Android. Brain the size of a planet...

    --

    I meta-mod all positive moderation Unfair, because it's abuse of the system.

    1. Re:This guy needs to be inducted... by EnormousTooth · · Score: 1

      And griiper arms! You gotta have gripper arms!

      --
      I don't use Emacs; it uses me.
  9. where is that two-tub rectangle of joy? by mightybricklayer · · Score: 1

    GONK.

  10. My vote... by MoeMoe · · Score: 1

    You also have the chance to nominate other robots.

    Bill Gates anyone? Where would the Borg be without him?

    --
    Business \Busi"ness\, n.;
    A scam in which all people involved perceive as beneficial...
  11. My nomination by Evil+Adrian · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Vicky from Small Wonder.

    --
    evil adrian
  12. Logical choice... by MoeMoe · · Score: 2, Funny

    You also have the chance to nominate other robots.

    What about Dick Clark? Can you explain why that guy doesn't age after over a century of "A Dick Clark Rockin' New Years Bash"?

    --
    Business \Busi"ness\, n.;
    A scam in which all people involved perceive as beneficial...
    1. Re:Logical choice... by Exatron · · Score: 1

      Two words: cryogenic stasis. Every year they thaw him out for the new years bash and stick him back in the freezer when they're done.

      --
      "I think so, Brain, but 'instant karma' always gets so lumpy." - Pinky
      "Decepticons FOREVER!!!" - Ravage
  13. I got a nominee... by meta-monkey · · Score: 4, Funny

    I used to work at the Machine Intelligence Laboratory at the University of Florida. Back the mid '90s we developed a couple of robots that would wander around, avoiding walls and the like, and when their battery power got low, they would seek out a charging station we set up. Well, one of the robots had stronger motors on its wheels than the other. The smaller robot was on the charger, but the bigger robot pushed it off because it needed to charge. The smaller robot was too puny to retaliate, and its batteries ran out. This may well be the first documented case of robot murder. I nominate Grazer, the bigger robot, for induction as the first ever robot murderer!

    --
    We don't have a state-run media we have a media-run state.
    1. Re:I got a nominee... by Oscar_Wilde · · Score: 4, Funny

      The big robot didn't murder the small one, you've got it all wrong. The charging station was liberated!

    2. Re:I got a nominee... by jayrtfm · · Score: 4, Interesting

      actually, a Kawasaki factory robot deserves that dishonor.
      In 1981 it killed its operator, Kenji Urada.

    3. Re:I got a nominee... by Galvatron · · Score: 1

      Yeah, but it's expected that robots are constantly striving to kill their creators (see: Bender, Red Robot, the Terminators, HAL 9000, etc.). A robocide, on the other hand, well that's noteworthy!

      --
      "The question of whether a computer can think is no more interesting than that of whether a submarine can swim" -EWD
    4. Re:I got a nominee... by dimator · · Score: 1

      That, sir, was both relevant and hilarious.

      --
      python -c "x='python -c %sx=%s; print x%%(chr(34),repr(x),chr(34))%s'; print x%(chr(34),repr(x),chr(34))"
    5. Re:I got a nominee... by popeyethesailor · · Score: 1

      and empowered ;)

    6. Re:I got a nominee... by Jebediah21 · · Score: 1

      Grazer... sounds like the perfect name for a techmetal band \m/

      You should get the story of Grazer up someplace like everything2.

      --

      Everytime you look at porn a devil gets their horns.
  14. Qualifications? by damiena · · Score: 1

    I would like to point out that 1/2 of the inductees have never existed as real robots, and also that at least 1/4 are actually midgets in a trashcan.

    1. Re:Qualifications? by geekoid · · Score: 1

      I would like to point ut that is is for both actual robots, and science fiction robots. TWO catagories.
      There is a reason for havind a science fiction section, but if you can't be bothered to read the FAQ, then I can't be bother to post it.

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  15. Hey, anyone ever seen Metropolis? by prolix2012 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I'm a little suprised that the robot from Lang's Metropolis didn't get a nod, guess that whole "introduced the term 'robot into the lexicon" thing just doesn't go as far as it used to.

    1. Re:Hey, anyone ever seen Metropolis? by Ignis+Flatus · · Score: 1

      And anyone with a heart would include Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz.

    2. Re:Hey, anyone ever seen Metropolis? by nels_tomlinson · · Score: 1
      I'm a little suprised that the robot from Lang's Metropolis didn't get a nod, guess that whole "introduced the term 'robot into the lexicon" thing just doesn't go as far as it used to.

      Actually, that was done by Karl Capek, a Czechoslovak Science Fiction writer, in the story RUR Rossum's Universal Robots, in 1920. It seems that ``robot'' was Czech for ``worker'', and Capek gave it its curent meaning.

      --
      See what I've been reading.
    3. Re:Hey, anyone ever seen Metropolis? by escowles · · Score: 1

      Sorry, Capek's RUR (Rossum's Universal Robots) is the play that introduced the word robot, in 1920 -- seven years before Metropolis was produced.

      -esme

    4. Re:Hey, anyone ever seen Metropolis? by hughk · · Score: 1

      The actual word for worker is Robotnik and the word work is Robot. In Russian the 'o' becomes more like an 'a', so it is Rabat.

      --
      See my journal, I write things there
    5. Re:Hey, anyone ever seen Metropolis? by varjag · · Score: 1

      In Russian the 'o' becomes more like an 'a', so it is Rabat.

      No, phonetically it's somewhere in between 'robot' and 'robat'. This is because Robot is an adopted word (it wasn't formed from 'rabota', the Russian for 'work').

      --
      Lisp is the Tengwar of programming languages.
    6. Re:Hey, anyone ever seen Metropolis? by hughk · · Score: 1

      Sorry, I didn't mean to suggest that the word was derived from the Russian, but as both are Slavic languages they share similar roots. Enough certainly for Russians to understand some Czech and vice versa.

      --
      See my journal, I write things there
  16. Forbidden Planet Robot and Lost in Space robot ! by zymano · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Favorite Movie robots.

    Robby the robot.

    Lost in Space robot

    Don't any of you say the MUFFIT from Battle Star Galactica !!! Geeeeeezuz.

    Twiki from Buck Rogers ......"Buck , Get down...bity .bity."

    The funkiest robot. The woman in that show....big crush !

  17. New /. poll! by xanthines-R-yummy · · Score: 1
    I say we start a campaign to pick one of the next inductees. Say... the winner of the next Slashdot Poll:

    Which robot should be the next Robot Hall of Fame Inductee?

    If there was ever a need for a CowboyNeal Option in a poll...

  18. How can we forget... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    The daleks! Come on Doctor Who fans! I haven't watched enough Doctor Who to comment on it, but I think a Dalek could bust up R2D2 any day with that fearful plung^H^H^H^H^H laser of destruction!

    1. Re:How can we forget... by Trejkaz · · Score: 1

      Actually Daleks aren't even robots in the show, they're weird, savage squishy things inside a tin can.

      --
      Karma: It's all a bunch of tree-huggin' hippy crap!
  19. Maria by geekoid · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Maria is from Fritz Lang's Metropolis. 1927. Perhaps the first robot ever put on film.

    http://www.jeffbots.com/maria.html

    --
    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  20. Asimo by Saeger · · Score: 3, Interesting
    I was going to nominate Asimo, but their FormMail script seems to be broken ATM.

    Asimo is one of the first bipedal walking robots that really scared the crap out of a lot of people. How many generations of advancing tech before their bodies and AI are up to snuff for jobs like: construction work, plumbing, McJob customer service, worldcup soccer, sucky-fucky, ... world domination? :)

    --

    --
    Power to the Peaceful
    1. Re:Asimo by bytesmythe · · Score: 1
      How many generations of advancing tech before their bodies and AI are up to snuff for jobs

      I read that as "...AI are up for snuff jobs".
      Just wait 'til all the hitmen are robots! The Mafia won't have to worry about their members getting busted for murder anymore! The hard part will be getting the robots to tie the people up BEFORE putting the concrete boots on and throwing them in the water. Perhaps we'll have robots with frickin' lasers on their heads. That would be easier, anyway. If a robot did it, who cares if they find the body or not?

      --
      bytesmythe
      Hypocrisy is the resin that holds the plywood of society together.
      -- Scott Meyer
    2. Re:Asimo by burns210 · · Score: 1

      how many generations? in human terms, or tech terms? right now, ASIMO is operated BY A REMOTE CONTROL... how long before it can control itself, at a resonable speed? Who knows. a decade sounds good though.

    3. Re:Asimo by SpinyNorman · · Score: 2, Informative

      It's only Asimo's "modes" and cutesy audience interactions that are directed by remote control. His most impressive feat - walking up and down stairs (and walking at all for that matter)- is something that he does automomously.

    4. Re:Asimo by DoraLives · · Score: 1
      Just wait 'til all the hitmen are robots!

      It's already in work. There's folks out there with the money and desire to make it happen.

      This thing is coming and when it gets here it's not gonna be too funny.

      --
      Is it fascism yet?
  21. R2D2? by toupsie · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Wouldn't R2D2 be considered a puppet more than a robot?

    --
    Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government.
  22. When you say "robot' I instantly think of. . . by kfg · · Score: 1

    Jenkins, from Clifford Simak's "City" stories.

    To me he'll always be The robot.

    In terms of movie robots Robbie and B-9 (Lost in Space) were international stars when Lucas was still a child. If I were them I'd be a bit pissed at R2-D2 making it before them ( and I figure C-3PO is a bit jealous)

    There's also Gort from The Day the Earth Stood Still.

    The problem with new "Hall of Fame"s is that they tend to forget the true pioneers in favor of the current stars.

    If I had to nominate a new real robot to a hall of fame though it would have to be that experimental AI robot that tried to run away last year and made it as far as the end of the parking lot.

    The very first individual quest for robotic freedom. Someday you'll tell your grandkids you were alive when it happened.

    KFG

    1. Re:When you say "robot' I instantly think of. . . by Mark+of+THE+CITY · · Score: 1

      Gort? Not Klaatu?

      --
      The clearance system sounds logical. It is not. It is completely arbitrary. -- John Bolton
    2. Re:When you say "robot' I instantly think of. . . by kfg · · Score: 1

      Klaatu was an ALF. Gort was a "peace keeping" Robot.

      "Gort! Klaatu barada nikto."

      You have to say things like that to peace keepers about to destroy the earth.

      I now see his picture is featured on the nomination page, so at least he wasn't overlooked.

      KFG

    3. Re:When you say "robot' I instantly think of. . . by nuffle · · Score: 1

      By the way, if you're a Gort fan, like I am, make sure you read Harry Bates's short story 'Farewell to the Master' upon which the movie 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' was based. In the story, the robot was named 'Gnut' (I guess the movie people didn't want everyone asking "Why is the robot named Newt?"). It's a very clever short story, and Gnut is a pretty complex character.

      Someone has the story online.

      Also, speaking of 'Day the Earth Stood Still' there's a band from late 70's/early 80's named Klaatu, which I think has some of the best 'science fiction songs' ever written: Around the Universe in 80 Days, Little Nuetrino, Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft.

      Ok, I didn't realize until now that I'm a fanboy.

  23. Nomination: Hero 2000 by morcheeba · · Score: 2, Informative

    The Heathkit Hero 2000 cost as much as a Yugo, but available with an optional arm and wireless terminal, it got a lot of students into robots. I remember writing a simple wall-following algorithm that ran on real hardware -- a lot more complexity than with Karel The Robot.

    --
    HIV Crosses Species Barrier... into Muppets
  24. I for one nominate by turk182x2001 · · Score: 1

    Bender! Surprised no one had already... What is the world coming to when a drunk disorderly robot can't even get into the hall of fame..

    1. Re:I for one nominate by antdude · · Score: 1

      Ditto for Bender!

      --
      Ant(Dude) @ Quality Foraged Links (AQFL.net) & The Ant Farm (antfarm.ma.cx / antfarm.home.dhs.org).
  25. What definition of robot are they using? by breser · · Score: 2, Interesting

    They inducted HAL 9000 which doesn't really seem like much of a robot to me. I mean I guess it can control the functions of the ship. I just never really thought of HAL as a robot.

    1. Re:What definition of robot are they using? by geekoid · · Score: 2, Insightful

      HAL is the Brain that controls the ship functions. Automating things for the crew. performing labor. hence Robot.

      Is someone with only one arm less human?

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    2. Re:What definition of robot are they using? by breser · · Score: 1

      So is my car a robot because it can turn on the lights for me when it gets dark, lock my doors, maintain my speed, etc...

      I don't think we saw much labor form HAL. He moved some pods around, opened doors, played chess, killed the crew.

      Granted that HAL had a degree of intelligence that my car doesn't. But this isn't the AI Hall of Fame. It's the Robot Hall of Fame.

      There are of course a variety of definitions of the term robot. Some of which would include HAL, some which would exclude HAL. Nowhere that I can tell do they define the term. That was my question. It still remains unanswered.

    3. Re:What definition of robot are they using? by Chess_the_cat · · Score: 1
      Automating things for the crew. performing labor.

      That's got to be the vaguest definition of a robot ever. If a robot is something that automates a process or performs labor then a thermostat is a robot. So is a lawnmower, a dog, a midget, a car, the redial button on my phone and a deep fat fryer. I guess I'm a robot too.

      --
      Support the First Amendment. Read at -1
    4. Re:What definition of robot are they using? by geekoid · · Score: 1

      I would say those are robotic tasks. when your car can drive you around, then it would be a robot.

      take any robot and what is it? it is a controller with mechanisms. some of these mechanisms weld cars, some make sushi. all are controlled by a central unit.

      All thos definitions (except themindless human) fit HAL9000.

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    5. Re:What definition of robot are they using? by geekoid · · Score: 1

      a lawnmower doesn't automate anything for you, your still mowing your lawn.

      a car doesn't do anything for you unless you directly control it. Talking about driving here.
      If you get in and say take me to the store, and then it drives its self there, then yes, its a robot.

      the redial would be a robotic function.

      the thermostat is a great example. I would consider it a robot of sorts. its a great example of how simple a robotic task can be. its a great reminder on haw robotics aren't future, there here. now, just in many forms. There just now becoming capable of performing complicated tasks cheap enough to be in the home.

      And the first thermostats where damn complicated and amazing pieces of tech, for the time.

      Would you condier the devices that weld cars robots? it takes input, does a repitive piece of work.

      robotics does not need to be complicated. and

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    6. Re:What definition of robot are they using? by kfg · · Score: 1

      A thermostat is already recognized as a small limited purpose robot, yes.

      When your lawnmower reacts to the enviroment and performs a task without your intervention then it too will be a kind of robot.

      If your dog is an Aibo than it's a robot. If it's a Yorkie you're just being silly. Twice.

      KFG

    7. Re:What definition of robot are they using? by breser · · Score: 1

      One could always argue that HAL wasn't a robot because he didn't do what he was told or programmed to do. :)

    8. Re:What definition of robot are they using? by xanadu-xtroot.com · · Score: 2, Funny

      when your car can drive you around

      Then you know your living in Soviet Russia...

      --
      I'm not a prophet or a stone-age man,
      I'm just a mortal with potential of a super man.
    9. Re:What definition of robot are they using? by breser · · Score: 1

      It was Knight's Automated Roving Robot. Which was KARR, the evil version of KITT. KITT stood for Knight Industries Two Thousand.

  26. Don't tell me they weren't really robots: by bersl2 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Cambot, Gypsy, Tom Servo, Crow

    That's like telling young children there's no Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, or Tooth Fairy, yet the monsters under the bed are still going to get them, all at the same time.

  27. mod parent up by ArmorFiend · · Score: 1

    If I had the mod points, I'd give them to you. Data had no real robot characteristics, only human ones.

  28. I nominate American Airlines reservation system by civilengineer · · Score: 1

    They have a voice recognition system for getting you prepared with your call to an agent. This system is awesome. You can say stuff in your normal accent and the system recognizes it correctly with high success rate. I don't know if you can consider this system a 'robot' but hey, its automating routine tasks and its just not a mere program

    --

    New year Resolution: Don't change sig this year
  29. What about Rosie? by ekmo · · Score: 2, Interesting

    As long as fictional robots are being inducted, I'd like to nominate Rosie, the maid from the Jetsons.

    --

    | Ceci n'est pas une pipe.
  30. Categories by Hobobo · · Score: 1

    "the first honorary inductees, including R2D2 and Mars Pathfinder"

    That's ridiculous! They can't have fictional and real robots in the same category. This brings up the obvious question of what their criterion for selection are. It is doubtful that these criterion even exist; most likely they are simply selecting the most famous robots they know.

    1. Re:Categories by geekoid · · Score: 1

      my goodnes, you post as if you didn't go to the link and read the article. I find that hard to believe.

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    2. Re:Categories by Hobobo · · Score: 1

      Umm..the website says that they choose robots from both fiction and real life. Hence my objectiong. gg ok?

    3. Re:Categories by geekoid · · Score: 1

      "That's ridiculous! They can't have fictional and real robots in the same category. "

      each one is its own category. real and sci-fi. hence my overly snide reply.

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    4. Re:Categories by mcguyver · · Score: 1

      There's room for improvement at the robot hall of fame website. First potential point of improvement, futher distinguish non-fiction from fiction. The website clearly misleads visitors by relying on fine print to make the distinction.

      BTW, I would like to nominate Johny 5...and how about Optimus Prime.

  31. I talked to Bender about that he said by geekoid · · Score: 4, Funny

    "I'm going to start my own Hall of Fame. With Hookers and Booze....forget the hall of fame."

    then he blew smoke in my face and said "CMU can Bite my shiney metal ass! loosers."

    I would go after him, but I seemed to have lost my wallet.

    --
    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  32. Steel Town Tartans Survive Slashdotting by fugoo · · Score: 1

    Please Take Note:

    CMU doesn't mess around..

    IMHO, CMU is one of the most under appreciated contributors of key technologies that shape the world of the average slashdotter.. Everyone knows Berkeley and MIT's contributions, but CMU stands right alongside them..

    Red's Robots, Mach Kernel, Andrew, AFS, CERT, a surprisingly good drama school and many others..

    Go Tartans!

    1. Re:Steel Town Tartans Survive Slashdotting by YOU+LIKEWISE+FAIL+IT · · Score: 1
      Red's Robots, Mach Kernel, Andrew, AFS, CERT, a surprisingly good drama school and many others...

      More importantly, Forum 2000...

      Corey... my little pizza pie!

      YLFI
      --
      One god, one market, one truth, one consumer.
  33. It's a bit sad... by trainsnpep · · Score: 1

    that two of the whole entire four robots in the hall of fame didn't have any functionality besides looking shiny (No you Star Wars fans, R2D2 cannot be considered to have done anything besides that)

    --
    --<Mike>--
    1. Re:It's a bit sad... by DoraLives · · Score: 1
      No you Star Wars fans, R2D2 cannot be considered to have done anything besides that

      Bullshit. Without that little tin can, them X-wing fighters were so much scrap metal.

      Delivering the message that sets up the whole fucking movie seems less than fully trivial, too.

      Better go back and have another look at the flick, eh?

      --
      Is it fascism yet?
  34. I nominate... by WIAKywbfatw · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...Muffit. But only because you twisted my arm into doing so.

    --

    "Accept that some days you are the pigeon, and some days you are the statue." - David Brent, Wernham Hogg
  35. Hey look everyone! by stefanlasiewski · · Score: 1

    It's those overlords you guys all keep talking about!

    --
    "Can of worms? The can is open... the worms are everywhere."
    1. Re:Hey look everyone! by fucksl4shd0t · · Score: 1

      Oh, thank goodness! Because I, for one, welcome our new robot overlords.

      (I was set up! I swear!)

      --
      Like what I said? You might like my music
  36. Al Gore! by NanoGator · · Score: 2, Funny

    ILM did an awesome job with his animitronics.

    --
    "Derp de derp."
    1. Re:Al Gore! by syrinx · · Score: 1

      not to mention his algore-ithms.

      *rimshot*

      --
      Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum sonatur.
  37. Re: Hybrid III by Chagasi · · Score: 1

    I think Hybrid III, "Crash Test Dummy" should be nominated, seriously, because it is extremely complicated, sensor wise, and has probably done more to improve our safety than any other robot. http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/dummies.h tm

  38. If they are nominating fictional robots-- by mpn14tech · · Score: 1

    Daneel Olivaw from Issac Asmiovs Caves of Steel and in other Asimov books as well.

    1. Re:If they are nominating fictional robots-- by peterjhill2002 · · Score: 1

      Hell yeah... R. Daneel Olivaw should definitely get in there sometime. All of these movie and television robots have been mentioned... Hey, go read a book... ;-)

      It amazes me how I. Asimov was able to tie together so many of his series (so well IMHO). R. Daneel is perhaps one of his most important characters. I think Giskard should get some props to for the work he has done in fiction.

      He is the first robot I thought about for nomination.

  39. Twiggy anyone? by bogie · · Score: 1

    Since unfortunately they are adding in fake robots(kind retarded if you ask me) why not include Twiggy from Buck Rogers?

    Beedie Beeedie Beedie. Or something like that.

    btw I've seen a lot of references to him online as "tweeky", I'm pretty sure it was twiggy. Also feel free to nominate his evil master, that round see through head that hung on his neck. This of course being waaaay before rappers were hanging stupid clocks on their necks. Wouldn't clear plastic robot heads been much more dope?

    --
    If you wanna get rich, you know that payback is a bitch
    1. Re:Twiggy anyone? by TCQuad · · Score: 1

      It's TWIKI, not twiggy. You gotta be careful in this crowd. We take our obscure science fiction references very seriously.

  40. SCO Lawyers by Lord+Zerrr · · Score: 1

    Do they count as robots?

    --
    "If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts." -Albert Einstein
    Karma? There's a serial modder out there.
    1. Re:SCO Lawyers by Soko · · Score: 1

      "Big fricken robot sharks with big frickin' lasers on thier heads..."

      Guess so.

      Soko

      --
      "Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm." - Anonymous
  41. I nominate... by vudufixit · · Score: 1

    Ash and Bishop from Alien and Aliens...

  42. If they can nominate Hal... by Anonvmous+Coward · · Score: 1

    ... then I nominate Holly.

  43. Santa Clause by Lord+Zerrr · · Score: 1

    I nominate Santa, he is really a robot.

    --
    "If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts." -Albert Einstein
    Karma? There's a serial modder out there.
  44. good robots by spongman · · Score: 1
    Fictional: R. Daneel Olivaw.

    Real: just about anything from the MIT Leg Lab.

    1. Re:good robots by Number14 · · Score: 1

      Yes!

      I went to the nominate a robot page immediately after hearing about this to nominate Daneel- how could they have a robot hall of fame and not include something from Asimov?

      Of course, I had the bad form problem on their site, but I'll get that submission in eventually.

  45. US Senate by Lord+Zerrr · · Score: 1

    I nominate the US Senate For the Robot Hall Of Fame. The MPAA and RIAA have outdone themselves creating these wondeful robots.

    --
    "If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts." -Albert Einstein
    Karma? There's a serial modder out there.
  46. Re:Nomination by mirko · · Score: 1

    BTW, have you heard of Robot Frank>/A> ?
    Truely hilarious :)

    --
    Trolling using another account since 2005.
  47. What about Gilligan's Island by zoid.com · · Score: 1

    The robot on Gilligan's island was so advanced..

    MARY ANN
    Now you sweep like this...back and forth, back and forth.

    Mary Ann hands the broom to the robot.

    MARY ANN
    Sweep!
    Back and forth, back and forth.
    Ooo this is going to be fun!
    That's fine, that's fine!
    Now sweep the other way.
    The robot continues sweeping and is heading towards the hut wall. The robot doesn't respond to Mary Ann's voice commands.

    MARY ANN
    Well turn around!
    Well sweep the other way!!
    The robot continues in a straight line right through the hut wall and into the clearing outside.

    MARY ANN
    Oohh!!

    --
    Zoid.com
    1. Re:What about Gilligan's Island by Tablizer · · Score: 1

      Dammit, I used to watch GI like mad, but don't remember a fricken robot, other than the Mars lander episode. Is this a gag, or was there really a robot episode?

      --
      Table-ized A.I.
    2. Re:What about Gilligan's Island by zoid.com · · Score: 1

      Yes there was a Robot episode.

      Episode #57, "Gilligan's Living Doll"
      (An experimental robot launched by the Air Force parachutes onto the island.)

      http://www.gilligansisle.com/scripts/script57.ht ml

      --
      Zoid.com
  48. Obvious nomination? by denttford · · Score: 1

    What about Roomba - I think the first useful, mass produced robot - they even sell the thing at "Bed, Bath, and Beyond" here in New York - deserves a nomination for opening the mass market robotics realm.

    Too bad their formmail thing is broken.

    --

    Leben Sie jetzt die Fragen.
  49. Pusillanimous Pipsqueak by Vegigami · · Score: 1

    Definitely gets my vote.

    Maybe you had to be there to understand this one.

    --


    I can tell you the meaning of life,
    but you have to promise not to laugh.
  50. No! by DAldredge · · Score: 1

    Talkie! The Talking toster!

    Want some toast?

    1. Re:No! by fucksl4shd0t · · Score: 1

      Why not just nominate Kryton? Next to the other guys, he actually turned out to be the smartest character on the show!

      --
      Like what I said? You might like my music
  51. Re:My CMU conversation by BSarp · · Score: 1

    Sir, I hope you're joking. I went to CMU, and I can assure you that a good deal of partying went down on and around campus.

    Yes, there were a lot of people who just sat around studying, but don't let these types convince you that everybody from CMU is a total dork. (Yes, I'm posting on Slashdot, but anyway..)

  52. Kilroy! by fucksl4shd0t · · Score: 1

    What about Kilroy? OH yeah, he wasn't a robot, with parts made in Japan. Secret secret, he's got a secret. Blah.

    What about the robots Kilroy impersonated in order to escape, reinvent rock music, and overthrow the totalitarian government?

    --
    Like what I said? You might like my music
  53. Re:Where is J5? by mog007 · · Score: 1

    Forget Johnny 5, where's Marvin, the paranoid android with a brain the size of a planet.

    --
    Learn something new.
  54. The REAL robot hall of fame by Animats · · Score: 3, Informative

    Here's the real robot hall of fame, the Computer History Museum's robot collection. Many of the famous ones are there, including the Hopkins Beast and Shakey. They used to be on public display in Boston, but now they're in Mountain View, California. The Computer History Museum now has a new building, and is gradually setting up exhibits. Tours are available.

  55. Gigantor by terremoto · · Score: 1

    Hundreds of posts already and no mention of Gigantor. That and the Robot from Lost in Space (Danger, Will Robinson!) are the top two from my 60s childhood. And, if they're going to class HAL as a robot, then what about the Daleks?

  56. I nominate ODEX-1 by Degrees · · Score: 1
    Built by Odetics, a division of Gyyr, ODEX-1 was a real robot. So many of these nominations are for dreams of a robot, or media portrayal of one. ODEX-1 could climb stairs, crawl out of the back of a pickup truck, and then lift the back of the pickup truck off the ground (it put one arm under the trailer hitch.) It could also draw its legs up close so it could walk through narrow doorways.

    Odetics wanted to sell it to the US military as a guard robot - it never sleeps, and if someone shoots it, there isn't a telegram to be sent to the parents. Alas, it cost too much.

    --
    "The most sensible request of government we make is not, "Do something!" But "Quit it!"
    1. Re:I nominate ODEX-1 by cr0sh · · Score: 1
      Well - at least it got two nominations. I nominated it before I read the comments (also nominated SRI's Shakey, and the GE Hardiman suit - though technically not a robot). I have very little information on the ODEX-1.

      Last I heard, the prototype(s?) were sitting at the Smithsonian. I have articles from Popular Science, Popular Mechanics, and Omni that showed this robot off nicely. I remember seeing it working on That's Incredible (or the old Ripley's Believe It or Not). I tried to contact the company (at the time, they were working on an "intelligent highway" system), but they had no clue what I was talking about. From the information I have read, Odetics (and the ODEX-1) originally started out as a DARPA funded project for a robot soldier (in fact, that is what the Pop Mech article showed, a swarm of ODEX bots storming a battlefield, guns ablazin'!) - then, somewhere, it dissappeared or lost funding.

      Crazy thing was, they had the prototype fully working (at least, it walked rather well - the video I saw of it showed it climbing out of a pickup, and then "scrunching" itself down to navigate through a doorway, then spreading back out for full walking mode)!

      --
      Reason is the Path to God - Anon
    2. Re:I nominate ODEX-1 by Degrees · · Score: 1
      It sounds like you have more information on it than I. I learned about it because that factory I was working for made the circuit boards for it. (Technically, we made printed wiring boards - we didn't do components or soldering).

      So of course everyone in the factory (that liked high-tech stuff) thought it was cool, and kept an eye out for it in the news.

      Last I heard, (and this was several years ago) Odetics still had it in their corporate offices down in L.A. On special days, they let it roam the hallways, which was a kick for the employees. I suppose on one of those 'bring your kid to work' days, the kid would have the best story the next day at school. ;-)

      With it being in the Smithsonian; that is newer information than I have.

      FWIW, we were making boards for Gyyr, a division of Odetics. Last I looked, Odetics went through a number of mergers and acquisitions - so it doesn't suprise me that the people remaining don't have a clue as to what they had.

      One of the circuit boards we built had concentric rings of wide contacts (nickle plated) to make part of the robot capable of 360 degree movement. That is to say, instead a cable harness that restricts swivel to some maximum, the ring contacts permit 360, 720, 1000 degree, (infinite) spins if needed. I think this allowed the head to rotate independent of the legs/body.

      Now that I think about it, I think the order was for five circuit boards of each type. Of course, we built extras, in case a board got damaged in production. Gyyr probably built two or three prototypes, with the other boards going into the spare parts bin.

      The video of the thing walking and squatting and lifting sure was cool.

      --
      "The most sensible request of government we make is not, "Do something!" But "Quit it!"
  57. Benderrrrr! by Big+Nothing · · Score: 1

    I tried to nominate Bender Bending Rodriguez, but the mail form is broken. Anywho, for those of you who STILL haven't discovered this great bending unit, here are some facts:

    Bender (full name: Bender Bending Rodriguez) is a Unit 22 Bending Unit and was his mother's 1729th son born in a factory in Tijuana, Mexico. His father was killed by a can opener. Comprising of 30% Iron, 40% Zinc, 40% Titanium and 40% Dolomite, Bender later attended Bending State college where he majored in Bending and minored in Robo-American studies. He became a legend for his pranks while being part of the house Epsilon Rho Rho. Bender then took up a successful career in bending girders but tried to kill himself when he found out they were for suicide booths. He was saved by Fry and later took up the job of ships cook at Planet Express. His other pastimes include watching TV, smoking cigars and stealing. To be able to function properly Bender needs the chemical energy from alcohol, so excessive drinking is mandatory or he will become sober and unable to control his body. Magnets stuck to his head make him sing like a folk singer and his favourite drink is Olde Fortran Malt liquor.

    [Info shamelessly stolen from http://www.gotfuturama.com/Information/Encyc-8-Ben der/]

    Favourite quote:
    Bender: "Bite my shiny metal ass."
    Fry: "It doesn't look so shiny to me."
    Bender: "Shinier than yours, meatbag."

    Ahhh.... I think imna go watch a Futurama episode now.

    --
    SIG: TAKE OFF EVERY 'CAPTAIN'!!
  58. Twiggy! Twiggy! Twiggy! by Craig3010 · · Score: 1

    Put the Twiggster in there

  59. Nomination by garymcg · · Score: 2, Funny

    I nominate Al Gore, the robot that invented the internet!! Everyone thinks he dropped out of public life, but he's just resting until it's time to reemerge....as Skynet!!

    --
    --If 50,000 people say a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing.
  60. Roboceptionist? by Improv · · Score: 1

    I wonder if this is related to the roboceptionist
    booth they're building in Newell-Simon Hall, or if
    that's an unrelated project in robotics..
    For other CMUers who haven't seen the posters,
    some RI/Drama folks put this together:
    http://roboceptionist.com/

    --
    For every problem, there is at least one solution that is simple, neat, and wrong.
  61. This award is homophobic! by DulcetTone · · Score: 1

    Why else R2D2 but not C3PO?

    --
    tone
  62. Too bad the nominies by Riptide1884 · · Score: 1

    couldn't be present for the nomination party! Cant help myself...this is just the way I am!

    --
    mod me troll...for get me...not coming back
  63. Best Robot Ever! by Chill+E.+V. · · Score: 1

    How come nobody suggested Bender yet?

  64. I am using this in my electronics class. by mistert2 · · Score: 1

    I am going to discuss why they made this site with my electronics class. First I am going into what do the students think should be in the hall of fame, then I am going into who built the site and why. I have some students working independently on BEAM robots. I thought this might spur on an interest in battle bots. What does everyone think?

  65. "Danger Will Robinson, Danger!" by neilmjoh · · Score: 1

    Enough said.

  66. The Great Robot Emancipationist by SharkJumper · · Score: 1

    I nominate this guy

    SharkJumper

  67. GORT! by weeboo0104 · · Score: 1

    Klaatu, Barada, Nikto.

    --
    It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. -Frederick Douglass
  68. Robby the Robot will always be tops! by GeneralEmergency · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Robby the Robot from the 1956 classic 'Forbidden Planet' for no other reason than this line:

    "Pardon me. I was giving myself an oil-job."

    --
    "A microprocessor... is a terrible thing to waste." --
    GeneralEmergency
  69. Clarke: "HAL *was* the ship." by LouisvilleDebugger · · Score: 1

    Clarke treats of the computer/robot distinction in the novel, _2001: A Space Odyssey_. He points out that Hal, if metaphorically, "was the ship."

  70. I nominate that Nintendo robot ROB by skintigh2 · · Score: 1

    I always wanted that thing, but I settled for the dance pad that came with a gnarly olympics game.

  71. He's a robot, but he should have been left out. by Thag · · Score: 1

    I'd say that HAL was definitely a robot, but I also think HAL is a poor choice for inclusion in the hall of fame.

    HAL is the poster child for anthropomorphism in AI. That is not the message they should be sending, IMHO.

    I don't mind R2D2 as much, because he is basically functional and non-anthropomorphic in design.

    And don't get me started about Twikki... :)

    Jon Acheson

    --
    All opinions expressed herein are my own, and not those of my employers, who are appalled.
  72. me=troll by ArmorFiend · · Score: 1

    Yeah he had no robotic characteristics at all.
    So we agree.

    He didn't download his memory to another machine.
    Anyone can do this, not just a robot (see below)

    He didn't have an off switch.
    Everyone has an off switch, its called "the head", and you push the button with a knuckle sandwich.

    He didn't have his personality overwritten by a dying cybernetic scientist.
    So the human "downloaded his memory to another machine", eh?

    He didn't even exhibit super-human strength.
    So did worf and 10,000 other aliens-de-jour.

  73. Crow T. Robot and Tom Servo ... by burgburgburg · · Score: 1

    are the only robots that truly matter. They worked tirelessly with first Joel Robinson and then Mike Nelson to watch really, really cheesy movies and comment on them in a hilarious manner. And the world is a better place for it.

  74. Here is why ... Re:What about the Asimo? by feelyoda · · Score: 1

    What can asimo do? Currently nothing. if he tries to walk forward, and you put a hand on him to stop, he will push forward harder. you let go, and he falls down.

    It's a mechanical marvel, but needs to do SOMETHING before you put him in the hall of fame (btw unimate was a mechanical wonder that started a whole industry of assembly automation)

    roomba - what can it do? Clean? Well, it's battery powered, with a few clever traversal algs. BUT, in the end, it isn't strong enough to do much of any deep cleaning for any extended amount of time. Their spin is that it is good for everyday cleaning. My spin is that it doesn't work.

    Make a robot that can use MY current (cheaper/stronger/more reliable) vacuum cleaner (perhaps an asimo that DOES something), and I will gladly nominate it in the hall of fame.

    --

    Robo-Blogs of the world: UNITE!
  75. Re:Ask Slashdot by Zeriel · · Score: 1

    Karma to burn... =P

    162543...but honestly, depending on a lot of subtleties, it's hard to tell.

    Examples:
    Someone really being shot on a news report vs. someone really being shot as part of some sort of "When Oppressive Governements ATTACK! next on Fox".
    It is entirely possible to show two people having sex with no skin but faces showing, if they're using blankets.
    Breasts for breastfeeding vs. breasts on a nude beach vs. breasts being touched sexually.

    Lots of grey areas in your initial poll question...you might want to refine it.

    --
    "America has done some terrible things. But I know that Americans don't cheer when innocents die." -Dave Barry
  76. I nominate Troody. by Codifex+Maximus · · Score: 1

    I nominate Troody because of it's advanced body and leg designs which in future will give robots better mobility. Troody is a dinosaur-like bipedal robot currently controlled by wire.

    --
    Codifex Maximus ~ In search of... a shorter sig.
  77. Re:Nominate A Robot - Don't forget Gigalo Jane! by Nom+du+Keyboard · · Score: 1
    Gigalo Joe from the movie AI

    If you like Gigalo Joe (great Jude Law over-the-top performance), I found this story about Gigalo Jane. Remember her? All 1 line and 15 seconds they gave her in the movie? I wonder what was left on the cutting room floor.

    [Adult Content Warning]
    G. Jane
    [/Adult Content Warning]

    Why the warning? Hey, they are sex-bots.

    --
    "It's the height of ridiculousness to say for those 9 lines you get hundreds of millions."
  78. Re:Logical choice...Alternate Explination by Nom+du+Keyboard · · Score: 1
    What about Dick Clark? That guy doesn't age

    Portrait in the attic.

    --
    "It's the height of ridiculousness to say for those 9 lines you get hundreds of millions."
  79. Sex-bots Anyone? by Nom+du+Keyboard · · Score: 1
    I'll actually take them seriously when they induct a robot made primarily for sexual purposes into their collection. After all, why do you think we will really build them?

    (Before you mod me down, remember that the success of the Betamax and the whole home VCR revolution and pre-recorded tape/sales was initially fueled by peope wanting to watch p0rn in the privacy of their own house. Sex sells. If robots ever go mainstream, it won't be because of people buying them to mow their lawns for them.)

    --
    "It's the height of ridiculousness to say for those 9 lines you get hundreds of millions."
  80. My nominations by Chris+Tucker · · Score: 1

    As a US nominee:

    AF-709!

    Foreign Nominees:

    Tetsuwan Atom

    The Big O

    R. Dorothy Wainwright

    Why, yes, I am something of an anime geek.

    --
    Guaranteed! This comment 100% Anthrax free!
  81. Cornell Robocup by GrahamMastaFlash · · Score: 1

    Someobody nominate Robocup's soccer playing world champion robot from Cornell University.