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Team Aims To Build Robot Toddler In Nine Months

Posted by samzenpus on from the it's-a-robot dept.

Zothecula writes "If robots are going to be part of our everyday lives, they'll need to fit into our homes rather than the factory floor. Few people would be comfortable living with a metal spider on tank treads, so the University of Zurich's Artificial Intelligence Laboratory is building a robot toddler called 'Roboy.' Using 'soft robotics' technology that mimics the human body, the 1.2 meter (3 ft, 11 in) tall humanoid robot is part of an effort to make robots that people are more comfortable with in day-to-day situations."

114 comments

  1. 9 Months? No way. by ashshy · · Score: 5, Funny

    Give me nine female robotic engineers -- I need that baby in a month!

    --
    #o#
    O Moo.
    1. Re:9 Months? No way. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Don't forget the robot diapers! That oil discharge has to go somewhere.

    2. Re:9 Months? No way. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That oil discharge has to go somewhere.

      Is it English?

  2. toddler? by C0R1D4N · · Score: 3, Funny

    Or a Robbit?

    1. Re:toddler? by Jeremiah+Cornelius · · Score: 1

      Now the homos won't need to hire bitches to get babies.

      --
      "Flyin' in just a sweet place,
      Never been known to fail..."
  3. Failing by HaZardman27 · · Score: 2

    That thing looks far more terrifying than a metal spider on tank treads.

    --
    Apparently wizard is not a legitimate career path, so I chose programmer instead.
    1. Re:Failing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      And, according to their diagrams, it's connected to Facebook. Why don't they just pack it full of C4 and have it continuously say "remote detonators are your friends"?

    2. Re:Failing by rubycodez · · Score: 2

      but you can punt it! that's way better than some intimidating 6 foot android

    3. Re:Failing by flaming+error · · Score: 1

      If they want it to fit in, they'll need to focus on the drug-addled freak market.

      For me, I'll take the treads, topped by a miniature refrigerator w/ice dispenser, small bookshelf, gaming console, and a dispenser of toilet paper

    4. Re:Failing by GameboyRMH · · Score: 1

      What's so wrong with a metal spider on tank treads anyway? If anyone doesn't want a tachikoma I'll gladly take it off their hands.

      --
      "When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel
  4. Robot invaders by WaffleMonster · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Making robots that look like humans do not make people more comfortable... It freaks them out.

    1. Re:Robot invaders by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      "Sir, the Uncanny Valley isn't deep enough!"
      "Then start digging!"

    2. Re:Robot invaders by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This is ZPG all over again!

    3. Re:Robot invaders by AwesomeMcgee · · Score: 2

      Seriously, where did these guys get this idea in their head? Do they honestly believe what they're saying or are they just fooling with people saying these things with the eventual goal of really screwing with people when they actually create the thing. I mean, if I could do it, I would too, just to mess with people. But I would have no allusions that it would be beneficial in the least towards the ends they're talking about.

    4. Re:Robot invaders by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Perhaps it's simply the following: The engineers have no problems with any form of robot, with or without treads, tentacles, and uncanny valley faces. Why would they? It's their job. So they don't know why suburban housewives are uncomfortable with robots. So they assume that the problem is "robots don't look enough like people." It makes a sort of sense, and it's correct to an extent, but it won't really sell robot babies.

      I don't actually believe that's what happened, however. Nobody who understands the concept of Uncanny Valley would ever come up with this idea.

    5. Re:Robot invaders by icebike · · Score: 1

      Agreed, this has to be aimed at the toy market, or the self centered parent market looking for a playmate for their real child, or to substitute for that real child they haven't got time to actually have.

      Childless couples are already unable to distinguish their dogs from children. This will go further to enhance that psychosis.

      --
      Sig Battery depleted. Reverting to safe mode.
    6. Re:Robot invaders by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's called a valley because as things get more human-like, first there's a strong positive reaction, followed by a strong negative reaction, followed by a strong positive reaction again. This robot is standing very firmly in the first positive section.

    7. Re:Robot invaders by marcosdumay · · Score: 1

      This robot is standing very firmly in the first positive section.

      Have you looked at it?

      --
      Rethinking email
    8. Re:Robot invaders by AwesomeMcgee · · Score: 2

      As someone with one child who wishes he could have another, that whole "My dog is my child" thing effing creeps me out. Seriously, that is jacked. Perhaps you're right, the type of folks who are emotionally lost enough to attribute their dog as their child would also be happy to attribute it to a robot... Though for the rest of us, the uncanny valley is a trainwreck.

    9. Re:Robot invaders by Nethead · · Score: 1

      But most dogs don't live long enough to need collage tuition. They may be on to something there.

      --
      -- I have a private email server in my basement.
    10. Re:Robot invaders by Hentes · · Score: 1

      Exactly, if they want to make robots that people feel comfortable about, they should make ones that are actually useful. I haven't heard about anybody freaking out because of a roomba or a robot lawnmower.

  5. More what? by TheCarp · · Score: 5, Insightful

    In what way excactly do we need to become MORE comfortable with machines than we are now?

    Has driving a car, warming food in a microwave, and allowing a roomba to vacuume my floors not enough? None of these make me uncomfortable, despite their lack of human interface. Why should other forms of purpose built machines, or even general purpose, suddenly need to be humanoid?

    Don't get me wrong, its cool research, and it could yield some interesting results but... as something required to make us more comfortable with machines? Nah, not unless you mean having sex with machines or something.... even that we already have people quite comfortable with some rather non-human form mimicing products.

    --
    "I opened my eyes, and everything went dark again"
    1. Re:More what? by KevReedUK · · Score: 2

      ...unless you mean having sex with machines or something....

      In which case, the suggestion of modelling robots on toddlers is even more discomforting!

      --
      Just my $0.03 (At current exchange rates, my £0.02 is worth more than your $0.02)
    2. Re:More what? by aicrules · · Score: 2

      there are a lot of people who will continue to react towards technology in general with a skeptical and very negative attitude. There are still people today who think a microwave is scary. However, as the devices become more prevalent, and as more of them assume more autonomous capabilities, each new generation will be less and less likely to hold prejudice against robotic humanoids. Prejudice as has been explored in such science fictional characters as Data and iRobot also helps society understand that potential before it actually happens. There are likely still numbers of people in the billions who would be extremely uncomfortable, many to the point of violent action, with the creation of a very human-like artificial lifeform that for many purposes replaces a human.

    3. Re:More what? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You and I, as people older than actual toddlers, are comfortable with "a metal spider on tank treads". However, my actual human toddlers probably are not okay with "a metal spider on tank treads" running around the house by itself. My 3 year old is completely freaked out by the autonomous nature of the roomba. Roboy looks like it could be a step in the right direction, at least my kids expect other humans to be autonomous.

    4. Re:More what? by icebike · · Score: 1

      Prejudice as has been explored in such science fictional characters...

      Prejudice is a odd choice of words, and suggests you've already equated (non-existent) robots with humans in your mind.

      That is exactly what sane people fear. That tech-enthusiast will decide that robots are people too. Laws will be passed. And when a human no longer serves any purpose to anyone else, they will be "decommissioned" and "parts-ed out".

      Once you decide machines are the same as you, you've disavowed your own human-ness, and accepted the fact that you are just another purpose built device which no intrinsic or unique value.

      I guess if that's how you feel, the best that humanity could do to preserve the human race is to parts you out before you replicate.

      --
      Sig Battery depleted. Reverting to safe mode.
    5. Re:More what? by marcosdumay · · Score: 1

      I'd say you have the wrong fear here. At the moment our robots can even conceive "decomissioning" people, we'd have already lost. If people accept they as equals or not won't change a thing.

      But then, yes, those people that think about robots the same way they think about live beings disturb me too... And there are lots of people that are able to program a computer, but won't see why it's different from an animal.

      --
      Rethinking email
    6. Re:More what? by icebike · · Score: 2

      In general, I agree, but robots don't have to "conceive" of decommissioning people in order to be dangerous.

      The default state in robots is that they have no concept of saving human life. You virtually never see humans working near robots in industry, its just too dangerous.

      So we have the opposite of "conception" as the default, and nobody seems to worry about mandating safety of life as the starting point, or even recognizing it as a need, except when reading science fiction, where is is merely hand-waved into existence. Industrial systems today rely on humans shutting off the robots when there is a need to approach them, not the other way around.

      The military is actually ahead of industry in this regard. The US Defense department is worried that autonomous weapons might be developed with no human decisions in the loop, and has preemptively banned such.

      --
      Sig Battery depleted. Reverting to safe mode.
    7. Re:More what? by bmo · · Score: 3, Interesting

      >The default state in robots is that they have no concept of saving human life. You virtually never see humans working near robots [hyperwrite.com] in industry, its just too dangerous.

      Bullshit.

      Not everything is an industrial welding cell.

      People use robots all the time, but we don't call them robots. We call them CNC machine tools, which is just semantics. They are as robotic as anything colloquially called a "robot." Turret presses are robots too. Nearly every industrial tool is a robot these days, That's not to say that there aren't interlocks and guards, but we don't give machinery the wide berth that you imply. You just have to keep hands out of the work envelope and this is typically done with light curtains.

      In the old days of using single stage manually operated punch presses, before my time, there would be literally leashes on one's wrists that took your hands out the of the work envelope once the switch was pressed. Indeed, I will certainly say that today's robotics are a lot safer than the cam-driven stuff of yester-year. In the old days, light curtains were science fiction, and you couldn't just instantly halt a machine tool like you can today.

      But not only that, I saw a program last week about a Frito Lay plant (I believe it was in KC), and the warehouse floor was full of robotic pallet transports mingling among humans (that did surprise me)

      If everything needed a "This shall not hurt humans" directive, we wouldn't even have automobiles or even bicycles.

      --
      BMO

    8. Re:More what? by bmo · · Score: 1

      Edit:

      done with light curtains

      Or doors.

      --
      BMO

    9. Re:More what? by icebike · · Score: 1

      You just have to keep hands out of the work envelope

      there would be literally leashes on one's wrists that took your hands out the of the work envelope

      Thanks for proving my point.

      I reiterate: Industrial systems today rely on humans shutting off the robots when there is a need to approach them, not the other way around.

      --
      Sig Battery depleted. Reverting to safe mode.
    10. Re:More what? by bmo · · Score: 1

      Nice way to totally ignore the context.

      Bye.

      --
      BMO

    11. Re:More what? by 10101001+10101001 · · Score: 1

      One can grasp one's hand tighter, to more securely hold one's own rights that are so dear. Or one can extend one's hand out and security the rights of others to yet again reaffirm that their rights and yours are real and not merely nice sounding words spoken by those who would readily ignore them in fear or convenience.

      The true essence of what has changed humanity today is recognizing how many people are actually human and deserving of many rights and protections that some would otherwise take for granted and hence others would be empowered to abuse. Fearfully pulling back at recognizing what constitutes a human or a "person" over some vague belief that tech-enthusiasts are heartless monsters, I don't think, is the right answer in the long-term.

      PS - This of course assumes humans ever manage to produce AI and consciousness of a sort. If it does happen, I think we're so far from it that it won't occur in centuries anyways. So, yea, today it makes sense to see robots for what they are, a bunch of pre-programmed mechanical parts. But in the far future? Who knows.

      --
      Eurohacker European paranoia, gun rights, and h
    12. Re:More what? by TheCarp · · Score: 1

      > Once you decide machines are the same as you, you've disavowed your own human-ness, and
      > accepted the fact that you are just another purpose built device which no intrinsic or unique value.

      Is this what happened when we accepted dark skinned people as the same as us? Or women?

      How does recognizing the value and individuality of one, negate those in another?

      We cartainly have a long way to go, I don't think we are even near the point where we have to start discussing exactly at what point a machine stops being your property and begins being its own entity with its own individual rights.

      thus far the main place this comes up is the abortion debate, which has mostly been decided, for convinence sake, by heart beat. However, at some point, we are going to have to generalize these ideas to beings without hearts or gestation periods.

      --
      "I opened my eyes, and everything went dark again"
  6. Uncanny Valley by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    If the point is to make people more comfortable, I think they may have forgotten the uncanny valley effect.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncanny_valley

    Honestly.. would you rather have a robot that looks like a robot, or a robot that looks like a CREEPY pseudo-child?

  7. Twiggy! Bede bede bede bede bede... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Twiggy! Bede bede bede bede bede...

  8. hmm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    a robotic spider likely can do a lot more than a robotic toddler or even an adult sized robot. what we don't necessarily need is workers that can perform work that is already done even if their abilities are better we need workers that can exceed what even the most amazing person can do. maybe a spider is scary so make it a friendly octopus or something...

    1. Re:hmm by vlm · · Score: 1

      maybe a spider is scary so make it a friendly octopus or something...

      Bonus... if the company fails in industrial apps, its tentacle movies FTW

      --
      "Science flies us to the moon. Religion flies us into buildings." - Victor Stenger
  9. 4 foot tall toddler? by danlip · · Score: 3, Insightful

    that's scary in and of itself

    1. Re:4 foot tall toddler? by SternisheFan · · Score: 1

      I am NOT going to change that thing!

    2. Re:4 foot tall toddler? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How can this NOT make people want to invite these things into their homes? (CAPTCHA was creeps, it's already on to us). Think of it standing over your bed, waking you up saying, "Why won't you love me?"

    3. Re:4 foot tall toddler? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, and when that thing throws a tantrum, it'll kill you

  10. Clank by Esion+Modnar · · Score: 2

    Where's Ratchet? And will there be an option for a heli-lifter or jetpack?

    --

    They say the first thing to go is your penis. Well, it's either that or your brain. I forget which...
  11. Almost 4 feet by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    A four-foot toddler to make us feel comfy, nice.

  12. Sounds Simple by paleo2002 · · Score: 1

    This sounds like a reasonable goal. If my upstairs neighbors' kid is any indication, all this toddler-bot needs to be able to do is stomp around, slam into walls, and scream at random intervals.

    1. Re:Sounds Simple by jellomizer · · Score: 2

      Don't forget about playing with that spring door stopper in 10-15 minute intervals. When I use to live in apartment, I was home sick with a pounding headache, and I was tortured with Rumble Rumble Rumble from my right ear to my left back to my right. Then a Sproing ratatatata...Sproing ratatatata...Sproing ratatatata...

      --
      If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
    2. Re:Sounds Simple by vlm · · Score: 1

      stomp around, slam into walls, and scream at random intervals.

      Freshmen + alcohol = (see above, plus lots of vomiting)

      19 yr olds pay good money for that experience. This may be a viable market niche.

      --
      "Science flies us to the moon. Religion flies us into buildings." - Victor Stenger
    3. Re:Sounds Simple by bmo · · Score: 1

      It doesn't have to be a toddler..

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aTagDSnclk
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lxddnv0L1uA
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gL3vo6Weva4

      Those are just a few....

      --
      BMO

    4. Re:Sounds Simple by GameboyRMH · · Score: 1

      Adults agree:

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHBZERkrAwQ

      If you like door springs you'll really like this:

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kgwnxqic74

      --
      "When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel
  13. SPIDERS are creepy?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    > part of an effort to make robots that people are more comfortable with

    In Asimov's "Caves of Steel" it is revealed that all humanoid robots on Earth must be built with a permanent smile on their face. So, this is how it begins...

  14. Me and my wife... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    did it in eight!

  15. Headline in 4 years.... by Sparticus789 · · Score: 1

    The world's first baby robot has chosen it's name: Skynet.

    --
    sudo make me a sandwich
    1. Re:Headline in 4 years.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      has chosen it is name?

  16. Uncanny Valley by dcollins · · Score: 1

    This thing's going right into the Uncanny Valley for me. What an awful and ridiculous idea... yeah, because everyone was terrified of their Roomba.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncanny_valley

    --
    We know where leadership by an anti-intellectual "strongman" who scapegoats minorities and likes boisterous rallies goes
  17. 47 inches, really? by blp · · Score: 1

    The average 2-year-old is about 34 inches tall, plus or minus 3 inches or so. This will be the world's tallest toddler.

  18. Easy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    1. Have sex with female
    2. Wait nine months
    3. Profit!!

    Bang one out in a week and you'll get my attention. Right now they're tied with every redneck in WV. Go science! =)

  19. I admit I'm not "most people" by Cro+Magnon · · Score: 1

    but I think I'd be more comfortable with the metal spider on treads.

    --
    Slow down, cowboy! It has been 4 hours since you last posted. You must wait another few hours.
  20. Re:Twiggy! Bede bede bede bede bede... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Twiggy! Bede bede bede bede bede...

    I do believe you're thinking of TWKE-4, AKA Twiki.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twiki

  21. Spider on rank tracks?! by mikewilsonuk · · Score: 1

    WTF does a spider on tank tracks look like? I suspect it would be less creepy than a robot toddler.

    1. Re:Spider on rank tracks?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Sounds like he was going for a tamago-- tomaguc-- tomo-- "think tank" from Ghost in the Shell.

    2. Re:Spider on rank tracks?! by GameboyRMH · · Score: 1

      Specifically the ones shown in the episode "Poker Face" where the entire last leg section was a tank tread (vs most tachikomas which use wheels on the end of the legs).

      --
      "When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel
  22. I have a toddler and I don't see how it will work by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If they're looking for a robotic toddler then the algorithm used will have to be completely random and toggle between rage, affection, and despair on a minute by minute basis. An exercise in frustration.. not unlike dealing with a real toddler most of the time haha.

  23. I would be more comfy with Johnny 5 then... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ...with something mimicking human being.

  24. Humanoid Robots Make People More Comfortable? by msheekhah · · Score: 1

    someone hasn't read their Asimov.

    --
    Mark Anthony Collins
  25. That's cute by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    It looks like a Terminator Mini-Me.

  26. Easy now... by Impy+the+Impiuos+Imp · · Score: 1

    > Team Aims To Build Robot Toddler...building a robot toddler
    > called 'Roboy.' Using 'soft robotics' technology that mimics
    > the human body, the 1.2 meter (3 ft, 11 in) tall humanoid robot
    > is part of an effort to make robots that people are more
    > comfortable with in day-to-day situations.

    I'm going to guess one of it's first uses will be a situation that people are less comfortable with.

    --
    (-1: Post disagrees with my already-settled worldview) is not a valid mod option.
  27. What could possibly go right? by russotto · · Score: 1

    I see two ways this could go wrong (assuming it works at all) -- the toddler robot could fall into the uncanny valley and cause revulsion. Or, it could mimic a toddler well enough to cause the normal reactions people have to toddlers not their own -- annoyance, irritation, revulsion, anger, etc.

    1. Re:What could possibly go right? by Jason+Levine · · Score: 1

      Or, it could mimic a toddler well enough to cause the normal reactions people have to toddlers not their own -- annoyance, irritation, revulsion, anger, etc.

      Maybe it's just the dad in me, but after having kids my reaction to other peoples' toddler is "how cute", "awwww", or (if they are misbehaving) an understanding nod and "boy, have I been there!"

      --
      My sci-fi novel, Ghost Thief, is now available from Amazon.com.
  28. So... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    They want to create a robot to make people more comfortable with these machines...and they come up with a giant robotic skeleton baby. Who gave these people money?

  29. 18yo female by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I think there would be a lot more interest in a 18yo female model. There is already a company making the silicone forms. They just need a 'Borg' style recharger built in, a computer, some type of fans that exhaust hot air through the mouth once every 2-5 seconds. Then build up a aluminum I-Beam type frame with servos and actuators. Have the computer software 'learn' how to walk by figuring out what works and what doesn't, and then doing what works.

  30. It's not People... it's Women..... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Men don't have a problem with robots in the home (See "Cherry 2000" as a reference)

    It is largely women who are uncomfortable.

  31. Why a Toddler? by lobiusmoop · · Score: 1

    Don't understand this part - there should be no more effort involved to scale the size up really. The world has been moulded around the adult body, this robot would have the same amount of hassle in it as somebody suffering from dwarfism.

    --
    "I bless every day that I continue to live, for every day is pure profit."
  32. does it wash windows? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    i don't care what it looks like, if it doesn't wash windows and vacuum the floor i'm not interested.

  33. Toddler Robot by Nogrial · · Score: 0

    This is only except able if they make it to look like Haley Joel Osment......

    1. Re:Toddler Robot by Nogrial · · Score: 0

      This is only except able if they make it to look like Haley Joel Osment......

      *acceptable

  34. They should take a cue from film animators by poity · · Score: 3, Insightful

    make it like Wall-E. with expressive hands.

    --
    your thin skin doesn't make me a troll
  35. Re:Twiggy! Bede bede bede bede bede... by SternisheFan · · Score: 1

    Twiggy! Bede bede bede bede bede...

    I do believe you're thinking of TWKE-4, AKA Twiki.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twiki

    The real Twiggy looks much nicer... http://www.google.com/search?q=twiggy&hl=en&safe=off&tbo=d&site=webhp&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=49DhUP60MpLD0AGrqYGIDw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAA&biw=1067&bih=529

  36. I think this summery misses the point by wisnoskij · · Score: 1

    Robots only get creepy when they look like us. No one finds an auto vacuum freaky or uncomfortable to live with. But if it looked like a toddler and went around saying "Hello, Dave", it would be very freaky and uncomfortable.

    --
    Troll is not a replacement for I disagree.
  37. It's a strange choice. by westlake · · Score: 1

    I think a familiar - abstracted - animal form - aka a pet -- would be a better idea. The human toddler is physically awkward and vulnerable. It needs constant attention. That is not the image you want to project with a household robot.

    The clockwork pet has been a staple of science fiction and fantasy for generations.

    "Bleeker, The Rechargeable Dog," for example, is a web comic that went into global print circulation through KIng Features, along with Beetle Bailey and a hundred or so other strips that have been around since the dawn of time.

    The technical problems are much easier to solve, and there are no cultural or psychological barriers to acceptance.

    1. Re:It's a strange choice. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Didn't somebody already try a robotic dog? Granted, it shared more in common with an RC car than with a hypothetical android, but it was marketed just that way: a robotic pet with all of the tail-wagging and barking and none of the stained carpets and vet bills.

    2. Re:It's a strange choice. by marcosdumay · · Score: 1

      I guess they are trying to get a confortable shape for a robot with arms. That would exclude most animal forms, except for human, spider, crab or octopus-like ones. Base on our reaction to the actual animals that hold those forms, human-like is the most likely to succeed.

      I think the best bet is a completely artificial shape.

      --
      Rethinking email
  38. Vatican by certsoft · · Score: 0

    If they make an artificial boy lifelike enough they might get some orders from the Vatican.

  39. Bad SF Movie? by Fnord666 · · Score: 1

    He looks more like a cross between something from "Leprechaun" and "Hardware".

    --
    'The tyrant will always find pretext for his tyranny.' - Aesop's Fables
  40. Like this? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    http://cdn-static.denofgeek.com/sites/denofgeek/files/styles/insert_main_wide_image/public/demon-seed.jpg

  41. It's already panhandling. by Animats · · Score: 1

    "We're building a robot. Send money.".

    Contributing doesn't mean you get a robot. They're only building one, not gearing up for production. There are currently at least 13 humanoid robots available for sale. The NAO NextGen is roughly comparable to what the Zurich group is proposing. They've sold about 2000 robots.

    This seems to be all about building a powered skeleton. There's no indication that they have any new ideas on how to control the thing. Tendon-driven systems are less popular than they used to be; except for robot hands, the trend is towards using small motors and getting rid of the strings and pulleys.

    It's a Swiss project. I expect beautiful engineering of small parts. But if they're not going to manufacture many copies, it's wasted effort.

  42. I'd prefer non human robots. by __aasdno7518 · · Score: 1

    I'd rather them look like aliens or animals than humans myself.

  43. Isn't it bad enough that ... by rnturn · · Score: 1

    ... there are predictions that robots will take most peoples' job in the not-to-distant future? Now they want to take little Johnny's job as well?

    --
    CUR ALLOC 20195.....5804M
  44. Is it anatomically correct? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If so, where can I buy one?

  45. Does it come in black? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It would be cool to put outside as a lawn jockey!

    Take that, suburban neighbors!

  46. Robot 'toddlers'? by fustakrakich · · Score: 1

    Better not let it see your porn collection, or you'll be brought up on charges.

    --
    “He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
  47. There will be odd nursery rhymes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Robot toddler, sat on a wall,
    robot toddler, had a great fall.
    Four score men, and four score more,
    did not make robot toddler gyroscopically stable.

    Ring-a-ring o' roses,
    a pocket full of posies,
    [server translation error]
    Drop down, reverse direction, increase speed,
    repeat!

  48. Chucky by Kergan · · Score: 1

    Yeah, it would be more fun if they shrunk it further and called it Chucky

  49. Re:Twiggy! Bede bede bede bede bede... by fritsd · · Score: 1

    The real Bede looks much meaner.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nuremberg_Chronicle_Venerable_Bede.jpg, though I'm sure he could comment on the Bible like no one's business..

    --
    To be, or not to be: isn't that quite logical, Slashdot Beta?
  50. Lord of Entropy by fritsd · · Score: 1

    A few days ago, the Daily Slashdot Quote said "Toddlers are the stormtroopers of the Lord of Entropy".

    (I totally agree with that quote BTW)
    Can anyone say where that quote was from and whether robotic toddlers are the stormtroopers of the Robot Lord of Entropy, too?? Inquiring minds want to know...

    --
    To be, or not to be: isn't that quite logical, Slashdot Beta?
  51. Third Tri-mester by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I hope they realize that one they are 6 months into this project, that they CANNOT stop for any reason.

  52. better name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Astroboy!

  53. Need a new plan by slew · · Score: 1

    As a parent of a 2 year old human todder, I question how common toddler features like periodic temper tantrums when things don't work out as expected will somehow be the golden sauce that "make robots that people are more comfortable with in day-to-day situations."

    Perhaps they should be trying to just build "small" people rather than toddlers ;^)

  54. Nine months? How about now? by greg_barton · · Score: 1

    See Hanson Robokind.

  55. 9 months = amateurs by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Pffft. 9 months? Amateurs. Any crack whore could do it in 8.

  56. Why? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    What's wrong with the house elves?

  57. Oh no! by MBGMorden · · Score: 1

    I swear some of their prototypes look like the Geth:

    http://images.gizmag.com/gallery_lrg/roboy-34.jpg

    --
    "People who think they know everything are very annoying to those of us who do."-Mark Twain
  58. Why? by Greyfox · · Score: 1

    Why do I look at that and feel compelled to mount a chain gun on it? *sigh* I'm a bad person...

    --

    I'm trying to teach myself to set people on fire with my mind... Is it hot in here?

  59. Easier way by Shoten · · Score: 1

    Just have two people with Asperger's have unprotected sex...make sure one of them is a woman...

    --

    For your security, this post has been encrypted with ROT-13, twice.
    1. Re:Easier way by cellocgw · · Score: 1

      Just have two people with Asperger's have unprotected sex...make sure one of them is a woman...

      You may have missed Biology 101, but you better make sure one of them is *not* a woman as well.

      --
      https://app.box.com/WitthoftResume Code: https://github.com/cellocgw
  60. Terminator Baby by ArcadeMan · · Score: 1

    Terminator Baby

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  61. Re:Twiggy! Bede bede bede bede bede... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The real bidi smokes much better. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dd/A_pack_of_Bidi.jpg

  62. Great Educational tool by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Make it able to eat, sleep, excrete and scream for hours and then give them away to teenage girls and boys.

  63. And in 14 years ... by PPH · · Score: 1

    ... you'll have a robot teenager.

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.
  64. Team HillBilly Clinton by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    A Lovely and Succulent Stationary Target.

    A little mascara, lipstick, a wig, a gown ... there ... all ready.

    HillBilly ... prepare.

    XD

  65. Toddler? Really? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Does it lie on the floor kicking and screaming until it gets it's way?

  66. robotic toddler by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    But will it change its own diapers?

  67. What we don't need. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Looking around my house. It's a split level. Meaning there is a gaping stairway in the middle of the upper floor. I would be constantly worried that thing is going to take a header down to the landing and void it's warranty. Do I need to PAY for that kind of stress? And why 4 feet tall? What possible use could it perform in a daily household setting. It can't reach the kitchen counters (let alone the cabinets) it may be able to reach the back bathroom counter. My clothes hamper is 3 feet tall, but can it sort out the clothes into colors, darks, and whites, pull the full netted bag out of the PCV frame and lug it DOWN stairs into the washroom... oh wait. The dryer is 5 feet off the floor because it's stacked on the washer. Can it open a soda can? dust the furniture, run a dray mop around my hard wood floors? I wonder how long it takes one of these to hit he GoodWill when people realize that robots for the most part are as worthless as they were back in the 1980s. Just hire a Mexican and lock up your jewelry.

  68. Whats with this obession with humanoid robots? by Jarwulf · · Score: 1

    We should never forget that robots should be designed to help people...not replace them.

  69. potential investors, or at least customers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    A collection of catholic priests and moustached men in bike shorts are waiting with bated breath