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Service Robots in Service by 2010

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the still-no-flying-car dept.

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"

5 of 229 comments (clear)

  1. We are here to protect you. by TripMaster+Monkey · · Score: 4, Funny

    From TFA:

    Toyota Motor Corp. (7203.T: Quote, Profile, Research) aims to start selling robots that can help look after elderly people or serve tea to guests by 2010, the Asahi daily reported on Tuesday.

    Reading this, I can't help but think of this excerpt from The Terribe Secret of Space:

    Grandma is protected
    Grandma has gone down the stairs
    We are here to protect you
    From the terrible secret of space

    We are the space robots
    Grandma is protected
    Grandma is protected
    At the bottom of the stairs

    I am the pusher robot
    Shoving is the answer
    I will shove grandma
    Outside into the snow

    I am the shover robot
    Pushing is the answer
    I will push snow
    On top of grandma

    ^_^
    --
    ____

    ~ |rip/\/\aster /\/\onkey

  2. Pink Roombas? by justforaday · · Score: 4, Funny

    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.
  3. Half a decade hence... by TopSpin · · Score: 4, Funny

    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
  4. We have feelings too you know by Timesprout · · Score: 4, Funny

    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
  5. Imagine the tech support calls... by IronChefMorimoto · · Score: 4, Funny

    "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