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This Robot Needs a Hug

Posted by timothy on from the this-is-why-we-install-limiters dept.

itwbennett writes "It has been an interesting week at the Computer Human Interaction (CHI) show in Vancouver, what with all the humans and computers interacting. And none have interacted quite so interestingly as a robot developed by scientists at Japan's Osaka University that can convey physical emotions through a phone call or e-mail system. Its intended use: Hugging the elderly so you don't have to." Warning: the linked video may induce cringing.

5 of 38 comments (clear)

  1. Uncanny valley? by srussia · · Score: 2

    No, this is the Grand Uncanny Quad-Amputee Friggin' Canyon!

    --
    Set your phasers on "funky"!
  2. Why do they keep trying this? by DamienRBlack · · Score: 2

    Is there really that big a demand to relay hugs, kisses and so forth over the internet? Who out there really has a need for this product? Isn't email and phone and video chat enough? I just don't get it. Is is a Japanese culture thing? Does it make more sense in their society or do they just like doing weird stuff?

  3. God help us... by slasho81 · · Score: 2

    We're getting closer and closer to the advent of the Sirius Cybernetics Corporation.

  4. Re:Next obvious market idea by Hultis · · Score: 3, Funny

    so they think you think about them without you having to

    I thought that was the whole point of Facebook?

  5. Never trust robots by SWroclawski · · Score: 2

    Someone should show this video to these elderly folks

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tb2Pzl1U0sY