Nuts
03-21-2004, 11:44 AM
What is a Qrio? (http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/QRIO/)
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/imagegallery/store/AFP/SGE_STY99_140304075416_00_245x169.jpg
QRIO, a robot created by Sony Corp., will make its debut as a musical conductor tomorrow in Japan. Described by Sony as "the product of cutting-edge artificial intelligence and dynamics technology," it will conduct the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra in Beethoven's Symphony No. 5.
(Image Source: ChannelNewsAsia.com)
The robot can walk on two legs, even on uneven surfaces, and dance. QRIO (which stands for "quest for curiosity") recognizes faces and voices, communicates via conversation, movement and lights and, according to Sony, is eager to make friends.
During a public rehearsal for tomorrow's concert, QRIO was heard to say, "I'm feeling nervous," as it stood before about 70 orchestra members. Well, of course it was nervous; it's 23 inches high.
Asked his hopes for QRIO's future, Sony engineer Toshitada Doi said, "I want QRIO to be recognized as an entertainer. I want it to sing a song on the TV singing contest. Not as a guest, as a competitor!"
And this just in: Yesterday, Toyota introduced a 48-inch-high trumpet-playing robot. A spokesman says a band is in the works.
Now, for those of you who have been on this earth for more than 10 years, you might ponder the significance of this milestone. We're mass producing robots that can walk, talk, and perform complicated tasks. 10 years ago, we were having trouble getting a robot to balance itself, now we're asking if it can conduct a symphony. Does anyone have a clue what these advances could mean to the disabled? Imagine owning a personal robot that could cook, clean, and take care of the elderly, perhaps even befriend them? We're entering an age of science fiction and few are actually realizing it.
The next 10 years will be interesting to say the least.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/imagegallery/store/AFP/SGE_STY99_140304075416_00_245x169.jpg
QRIO, a robot created by Sony Corp., will make its debut as a musical conductor tomorrow in Japan. Described by Sony as "the product of cutting-edge artificial intelligence and dynamics technology," it will conduct the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra in Beethoven's Symphony No. 5.
(Image Source: ChannelNewsAsia.com)
The robot can walk on two legs, even on uneven surfaces, and dance. QRIO (which stands for "quest for curiosity") recognizes faces and voices, communicates via conversation, movement and lights and, according to Sony, is eager to make friends.
During a public rehearsal for tomorrow's concert, QRIO was heard to say, "I'm feeling nervous," as it stood before about 70 orchestra members. Well, of course it was nervous; it's 23 inches high.
Asked his hopes for QRIO's future, Sony engineer Toshitada Doi said, "I want QRIO to be recognized as an entertainer. I want it to sing a song on the TV singing contest. Not as a guest, as a competitor!"
And this just in: Yesterday, Toyota introduced a 48-inch-high trumpet-playing robot. A spokesman says a band is in the works.
Now, for those of you who have been on this earth for more than 10 years, you might ponder the significance of this milestone. We're mass producing robots that can walk, talk, and perform complicated tasks. 10 years ago, we were having trouble getting a robot to balance itself, now we're asking if it can conduct a symphony. Does anyone have a clue what these advances could mean to the disabled? Imagine owning a personal robot that could cook, clean, and take care of the elderly, perhaps even befriend them? We're entering an age of science fiction and few are actually realizing it.
The next 10 years will be interesting to say the least.