Humanoid robots developed at the Beijing Institute of Technology can do more than perform T'ai Chi maneuvers and answer simple questions when interacting with humans. Duan Xingguang, the professor in charge of the efforts, believes we are heading into an era where robots will become part of our daily lives.
The bots were introduced in 2003 and have been updated with a new mechanical design and properties that allow for better interaction and fluidity of movement.
Professor Duan Xingguang said that they will continue to improve the robots' functionality and reliability while striving to lower production costs. He also compared the current state of robotics technology to that of personal computers three decades ago, and expects Moore's Law will lead to breakthroughs allowing humanoid robots to become meaningful partners to human beings in the future.
I look forward to the day robots can take care of my mundane tasks. Considering I already have them cooking ramen and making pancakes, that day can't be far behind. However, I'm not sure it's a great idea to teach them to fight or use knives.
(Via Engadget)
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Nagoya, Japan's ramen robot army isn't satisfied just making delicious noodles. Some have recently acquired knife fighting skills (I am not making this up) to entertain and delight customers.
I warned you that this day would come. Accept your robot overlords.
(Note: I'll be back on the tech stuff soon, I promise.)
Follow me on Twitter @daveofdoom.
Udon combo in Tokyo.
(Credit: Dave Rosenberg)Just when you thought your noodle waterslide was the height of Japanese food gadgetry, a ramen shop in Minami-Alps, Yamanashi, Japan, is gaining popularity for its robot chef.
Technically the robot doesn't make the noodles, instead assembling the bowl, including the customized flavor options. Customers place orders on a computer, customizing aspects such as the levels of soy sauce and salt, and richness of the soup. Shop owner Yoshihara Uchida says there are 40 million different flavor permutations.
The noodles themselves are cooked by a human, with the robot creating a perfectly blended soup which is then delivered to the human chef via a conveyor belt, who adds the noodles and toppings. The whole process takes only about two minutes, a minute shorter than instant cup noodles.
The robot was completed in December 2008 after five years of trial and error, including computer crashes caused by spilled soup. Uchida wants to mass produce the robot in the future and "leave my mark out there," which means one day you too can have a ramen robot.
Previous and related noodle news:
Gadget watch: Noodle waterslide
The best of Japanese food technology: Ramen Radar
Woman eats 383 bowls of soba in 10 minutes (video)
Follow me on Twitter @daveofdoom.
Wakamatsu Park in Kobe, Japan, will soon play host to the latest member of a robot army. A life-size Tetsujin (aka Gigantor) robot, 60 feet tall and weighing nearly 50 tons, will be on permanent display starting in October. Tetsujin joins a life-size Gundam, built in Odaiba.
According to the AnimeNewsNetwork, "The Kobe Tetsujin Project's statue is intended as a symbol of the city's revival after the 1995 Kobe earthquake. It is being built in Nagata Ward, the city's hardest hit neighborhood which has since been rebuilt and revitalized. The statue also celebrates the life of one of Kobe's most well-known native sons, as Yokoyama not only created the Tetsujin 28 manga and anime, but also Giant Robo and Sally the Witch."
... Read MoreChubu International Airport has bought several three-wheeled Toyota i-Real vehicles to be used by security and service personnel. The tricycles can operate at a top speed of 15 kilometers per hour and will carry emergency medical kits and computers that will allow airport staff to check flight schedules for passengers.
While they'r clearly not the fastest mode of transportation, I like the idea that RoboCop can tell me if my flight is on time.
(Via JapanProbe)
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New pics from the Punynari blog reveal that my biggest fear has come true: giant Gundam robots are being assembled in Japan to take over the free world.
More pics on the Moé Passion blog.
Take heed puny humans, our robot overlords are practicing and things don't look good for us. Videos of "Kondo Battle" show how Kondo kit robots fight to the death.
... Read More
The "Kabutom MX-03" can be remote-controlled or piloted from the cockpit (visible on the left side), and is capable of carrying passengers inside its shell. It was designed and built by a man in Ibaraki, Japan, over the last 11 years.
You can also check out the design blog featuring the assembly.
(Via JapanProbe)
Follow me on Twitter @daveofdoom
While I was at the Dow Jones Venture One conference yesterday I was in total black hole of technology. I couldn't get on the wifi network and my Crackberry was caught in some kind of death spiral.
Miraculously, I survived the whole day with no email, minimal news and no blogging. And I have to say that I really enjoyed it. I long for the day when I can just carry a normal cellphone and don't have to be a robot.
This leads me to a bigger point, which is that I, like many others really have to stop taking this work stuff too seriously. There comes a point of over-connectedness that makes you incapable of human thought which makes people a lot less fun.
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