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Toyota Demos 'Partner Robots'

Posted by michael on from the recoilless-rifle-not-included dept.

angryflute writes "Toyota has created a walker robot that the driver sits in and controls. It's meant for handicapped people to get around with, but you can easily see the potential for this technology to become the basis for a real-world version of an AT-ST Scout Walker or mobile suit Gundam -- just add guns!" Gizmodo has some more pictures.

4 of 224 comments (clear)

  1. Only in Japan by BWJones · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Robots this cool and bizarre could only come from Japan. Normally, I am a fan of form following function, but am reminded in these robots of everything cool about design from a Japanese ethic. Their principal application of providing the handicapped with greater mobility is one that we are familiar with in our lab. One of our fellows is in a wheelchair (polio) and sometimes accessibility is still a problem for him, particularly obtaining things that are above his reach. Certainly the Segway folks have worked in this area before, but their form absolutely followed function and had very little of the design sensibility of Toyotas products. I also can find almost nothing on their site about products for the handicapped anymore. What happened? Has Segway abandoned all their accessibility products in favor of the HT?

    Also, I imagine that since the US Army has an overriding interest in enhancing personal mobility, that they too will be paying Toyota a visit.

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  2. Cool, but... by darth_MALL · · Score: 5, Funny

    DO you have to wear the quasi-futuristic suits to make it work? Handicapped people still have dignity you know.

  3. Just add guns by zackeller · · Score: 5, Funny

    That phrase has never caused anything bad to happen.

  4. who are the adwizards who came up with this one by viva_fourier · · Score: 5, Funny

    First couple things I thought of when I saw the conceptual ad:

    1. wtf?
    2. Seriously, wtf?
    3. A new Power Rangers design?
    4. Cheap Peyote hits Tokyo?
    5. Does it come in "Confederate Flag" with a gunrack?

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