Slashdot Mirror
Service Robots in Service by 2010
Igor Birman writes "Reuters reports that Toyota aims to sell service robots by 2010. Meanwhile, the most advanced consumer robot produced in the US appears to be the iRobot Roomba, now available in pink.
More information is available at
Robotics Trends and
NewsTarget.com"
From TFA:
Reading this, I can't help but think of this excerpt from The Terribe Secret of Space:
^_^
____
~ |rip/\/\aster /\/\onkey
Yoshimi should be able to take care of those Roombas with no problem...
I'll turn into a supernova and burn up everything. Well I'll turn into a black little hole and you'll turn into string.
Date line May 31, 2005:
Toyota Motor Corp. aims to start selling robots that can help look after elderly people or serve tea to guests by 2010.
Date line April 1, 2011:
A Japanese pensioner was found dead today beneath a mountain of tea cups and saucers. A relative claims a Toyota robot given to the man a year before continued to carry out it's tea serving prerogative for months after the victim had expired.
Lurking at the bottom of the gravity well, getting old
I love these types of executive decision.
Yes, we're planning on regular scheduled trips to the moon next year, I'll just crack the whip on the R&D slaves to get them to work a bit harder.
Deleted
This post was submitted by
iRobot Slash-Postba
Serial NO : AR-3214324-ERE43
Activation date : May 31 2005
Do not try to read the dupe, thats impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth
What truth?
There is no dupe
...I can get an alcohol drinking loudmouth robot, preferably one who is proficient at bending?
For years I've been watching Honda pimp Asimo and you're telling me Toyota is the company to first bring us robots. Surprising. So where's Nissan in all this hubbub, or do they need not even apply.
I have a Ford robot here at home. It's crackling and leaking hydraulics all over the carpet...
"A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of" - Ogden Nash
I already wanted to buy hard-cover copies of I, Robot to throw at Will Smith when the movie went out, to avenge Azimov's memory, but really, that pink roomba thing is too much. Poor Isaac must be spinning in his grave...
"A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of" - Ogden Nash
"Toyota Eldery Care Technology support, how can I help you?"
"I've fallen, and I can't get up."
"Is your ElderCare 5000 series nearby?"
"I forgot to recharge Willy last night."
"Willy? Who is Willy?"
"Well -- that's my robot's name. After my first husband, before he died in the Vietnam War. He was such a loveable man...kind to his children...and..."
"Uh -- ma'am -- does 'Willy' have a base charge?"
"What? I can't hear ya real good. Willy has my Miracle Ear stored in his chest compartment."
"I SAID -- DOES 'WILLY' HAVE A BASE CHARGE?"
"Base charge? What's that? I only know the green lights and the one with the blinking red light."
"Can you reach Willy from where you're lying?"
"Can I touch my willy so you can spy on me? You whippersnapper pervert! I'll have you fired! How digusting..."
"Ma'am -- please hold."
[technician initiates kill mode on ElderCare 5000 via GPS and remote activation protocols]
"Ma'am -- are you still there?"
"Yes -- Willy is moving around now. What did you do?"
"It'll all be over soon."
"What? A tall rover's moon? Hey! Willy?! What are you doin'? Willy?! Put that TV down! He's gone amock! What's going on?! Willy?! WILLY?!"
[slam - click - dial-tone - ring]
"Toyota Eldery Care Technology support, how can I help you?"
IronChefMorimoto
Thats why they also plan on releasing "The Exerbot", a robot that chases you around the house with an axe so you get enough exercise. With promises of "... a body like a Viking..." you can bet people will buy millions of them.
I Am My Own Worst Enemy
Make one that will open a jar, my wife will keep me around....
Haven't you ever watched The Jetsons? We'll have fully autonomous, sentient robots before we have decent voice synthesis.
English is easier said than done.
If you know Spanish, which is common enough, you can give them commands just fine.
Two words.
Built-in vibrator.
I mean, who *wouldn't* want an iHump?
Hokey statistics and ancient misconceptions are no match for a good thought in your head, kid!
Good in the kitchen, great in the sack, strong and self-sufficient, and with teraflops of processing power... wow, sounds like my ideal woman. Naturally, there would be a model for the women as well (as a computer, it would *never* forget a birthday/anniversary!)
"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."
Just what kind of "service" are we talking about? Some kinds of "service" will be more popular than others.