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Japanese Consortium Projects a Humanoid Robot On the Moon By 2015
JoshuaInNippon writes "A Japanese manufacturing cooperative named Astro-Technology SOHLA announced on April 27th that they are planning to create and send a two-legged humanoid robot to the moon, have it draw the Japanese flag on the surface, and hopefully then get it to return to the Earth, all by the year 2015. The group wants to inspire people, particularly in Japan, about space and generate confidence among SMEs to create low-cost space technology. While the idea may seem far-fetched to some, SOHLA had success in building a small low-cost satellite named Maido-1, which was launched into space aboard a Japanese H-IIA rocket in early 2009. The group also commented that they want to have their future humanoid robot hitch a ride to the moon with a surveying rover that JAXA is building."
Will it be able to hit golfballs like the earlier astronauts? Will it plant a flag? Hell, will it even be able to right itself or free itself from its restraints once it 'lands'?
If they just want to lose a robot, they should send it down the Jersey Turnpike and see how it does in the truck lanes.
Flag planting by proxy? Will the robot then walk over to the U.S. flag and tear it down?
So, waa-a-a-ait, you're saying four legs good, two legs baa-aa-aad?
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Right, but preferably we want our "Greeting Robot" on the moon to look like us. Any approaching aliens will train their weapons on it, check it out. If they shoot it, we know they are hostile. If they leave it alone, and come for a visit to Earth, then they will know what to expect.
I would hate the first interstellar war to be caused by the aliens expecting a 6 legged species and getting a 2 legged one.
That would be the most hysterical prank ever, if the Japanese robot went and uprooted our flag. Seriously, Americans would be calling for another war with Japan. I can see Glenn Beck now.
If that's a concern, then 6-legged is a better way to go. That way, when the hostile aliens come to earth looking for whoever sent the 6-legged robots, they'll attack the insects first, thinking they're the more intelligent species that built everything, and that the humans are just some dumb animals they use as beasts of burden. I don't think there's any insects that are endangered, so we can stand to lose some of them.
Good point about the flag. Hopefully Turkmenistan has no such plans.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Turkmenistan.svg
"This thing does science so hard, you say, 'I've never seen that much science.'" -Sam
They do it because they're Japanese. They want an actual Gundam in space.
But will it be under the control of the Agriculture Ministry?
I'm reminded of an old Cold War joke.
"Mister President, the Soviets have just landed on the moon and are painting it red!"
"Good. We'll just wait until they finish, then send up our own boys to paint Coca-Cola on it."