Technology Stuff

Apr 24 2004 4 Comments

Robotic rapture

When it comes to gadgets I find it very hard to resist, and if it wasn’t for the hefty price tag, I’m sure I’d have been the proud owner of a Sony Aibo a long long time ago. When it comes to animals though, a lot of people feel that having a robotic pet is odd to say the least. And so wouldn’t even consider getting one.

Now I’ll readily admit that pretty much all the points put forward by those supporting real pets over robotic ones are valid, and I can’t really argue with any of them. But this picture I saw yesterday of some hospitalized kids playing with an Aibo proves that such pets aren’t all bad. The sheer joy on the children’s faces is there for all to see.

But before I get uncharacteristically sentimental, I should move on and say that the use of robotic pets in Japan is not just restricted to kids. Professor Toshiyo Tamura has done extensive research on the effects of robotic therapy on elderly patients, and he has found that whilst useful, older people prefer robots that are furry and huggable. So as you can see from the picture below, the professor has got around this problem by wrapping an Aibo in a cuddly little coat.

But for his patients’ sake, I hope he doesn’t intend using those scary looking dolls on the left as part of his research. Just looking at them makes me feel uneasy, and I don’t care how furry their coats may be, I certainly wouldn’t want to be hugging one those devilish looking things. Especially if their eyes move!

Mar 13 2004 2 Comments

What’s next? This is

A matter of days after Sony’s Qrio conducted the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Toyota has gone and topped it with their new robot band.

This isn’t some kind of stunt, the little fellas are really playing those trumpets. They have artificial lungs allowing them to produce the necessary air, and also lips to form the notes. The robots apparently wowed the crowd with a rousing rendition of When You Wish Upon a Star.

When the performance was over, the robots bowed and waved to the audience. No doubt thinking to themselves that it will only be a matter of time before it is the humans who are bowing to them, their robotic (and trumpet playing) masters.

Mar 11 2004 1 Comment

What next?

A while ago I reported the rumour concerning Sony’s Qrio robot, and its alleged place in the national football team. If you want to see the picture and story, just click here.

Now maybe I lack ambition, but personally, playing for the national team would be more than enough for me. Young Qrio however appears to think very differently. As just recently (presumably between training sessions) the robotic wonder conducted the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.

There can be no charge of Qrio taking the easy option either, as the piece in question was Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5.

And people say robots won’t take over the world. Going by this story, it’s hard to imagine them being content with cleaning the house and looking after old people.

Look at the little smart arse

Mar 10 2004 8 Comments

Cold coffee?

Do you ever find that after spending much more time than you intended browsing certain, ahem cultural sites, your coffee (or even tea) has gone cold?

Yes? Well fret no more, as this USB powered hot coaster is the answer to all you problems. And as the picture shows, it’s Windows and Mac compatible.

Still not convinced? Well, this handy graph shows the temperature difference between a cup of coffee with and without the magical hot coaster.

Noticeably hotter I think you’ll agree. Life will never be the same again.

[link courtesy of A Welsh View]

Mar 04 2004 1 Comment

Nuvo riche

Another new robot is about to be produced in Japan, this latest one by Tokyo based ZMP. It goes by the name of nuvo, hence the corny title to this post. Which seemed quite clever when I first wrote it.

Whilst a bit on the short side, coming in at only 39 cm’s, nuvo is a clever little thing. It can walk on two legs, and then pick itself up when it falls over. Which I’m guessing is quite often, as this seems to be a big selling point. And if that wasn’t enough, it also recognizes voice commands such as advance and stop. Unfortunately there’s no mention of whether it knows left or right, so movements could be somewhat limited!

As well as walking (and of course picking itself up), nuvo also has the ability to relay images of its surroundings to a videophone. Although presumably this will be just what’s directly in front of nuvo, and due to its lack of height, all things under 39 cm’s. So you can look forward to lots of shots of people’s slippers, and now and again the carpet, as nuvo picks itself up after a fall.

I presume by now that you can’t wait to get your hands on one of these little beauties. And if you’ve got 500,000 Yen (2,480 Pounds) to spare, you’ll be all set when they go into production.

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