Miuro, the robotic iPod dock

We literally see a new iPod dock hit the streets every single day (when you can find ten of them at Target, it would seem that the market is already a bit oversaturated), however, Japanese manufacturer' ZMP's Miuro is the first one we've spotted that will actually follow you around the house and shake its groove thing at your behest (well, except for maybe the KNG DJ dock). A not-quite-accurate acronym for "music innovation based on utility robot technology," Miuro is a 14-inch wide, egg-shaped device that can either pump tunes from your docked 'Pod or wirelessly from a PC through its Kenwood-built speakers. The 9-pound bot -- available in either white, black, yellow, or red -- responds to your commands via the included remote, and can gain a little more autonomy with the addition of optional cameras and sensors. Miuro goes on sale in Japan today for a rather pricey $930, and should be making it Stateside sometime in the second half of next year. This will certainly be a boon to us lazy Americans, as soon we'll be able to shed our hefty 'Pods and let a little robotic slave tote them around for us -- until the eventual uprising, that is, when swarms of these things will repeatedly attempt to crush your jugular in your sleep while almost unoticeably piping out "Killing Me Softly."

[Via The Raw Feed]

[MacsAre1 @ Aug 31st 2006 1:22PM]

I, for one, welcome our new robotic iPod overlords.

Somebody had to say it. :-D Now which is it that rules us, the iPod, or the robot?

[strider_mt2k @ Aug 31st 2006 1:58PM]

Is it "Three Laws" safe?

[MB @ Aug 31st 2006 2:16PM]

Just gotta love those Japanese for their irrelevant innovation. Some of them will pay nine-hundred-plus bucks for an iPod dock-cum-speakers-cum-receiver that will follow them around the house (the average residence size in Tokyo is 672 square feet).

[Volker @ Aug 31st 2006 2:29PM]

I guess I have missed it... nobody has yet mounted a iPod dock with speaker on a romba ?

[SASniper @ Aug 31st 2006 2:58PM]

That head mounted on the robot is kinda creepy.

[Matt @ Aug 31st 2006 3:48PM]

The head doesn't bother me so much. But the hands fastened to the chin and cheek kind of freak me out.

[Bhaughbb @ Aug 31st 2006 3:52PM]

Am I the only one who wants to put Blue Oyster Cult's Godzilla song on this on, crank it and have it chase house pets around?

[Risa-Sensei @ Aug 31st 2006 5:30PM]

I'm pretty sure that Miuro is a Japanized short form of "Music Robot". They love shortening and glomming English words together like that.

[Andrew @ Aug 31st 2006 6:33PM]

Is anyone actually that dependent on their iPod that they can't be without it for a second? It's ridiculous, a stereo and a mount in the car I can understand, but an 'iRobot', an 'iChair' and an 'iBogroll holder'???

iThink it's ridiculous...

[Cade @ Aug 31st 2006 10:49PM]

For those who don't think that their portable iPod is quite portable enough.

[Kal @ Sep 1st 2006 1:23AM]

Bah.. i could do this for less $$.

Ever hear of duct tape and a dog/cat? Just attach ur favorite docking station (or just the speakers in my case, with really long cables) to ur family pet. The little bastard will follow you around anyways, might as well put some REAL use to him.

[Hans @ Sep 4th 2006 2:21PM]

I wonder if my segway can outrun it.

[Bryan @ Sep 4th 2006 7:54PM]

ROFLMFAOIABOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! XD XD XD. eh -_-.

[SE @ Sep 10th 2006 11:44AM]

Why, though....? Why? Because they can?

[AdRo @ Sep 23rd 2006 11:13PM]

THe thing is that if you attach that to your little dog, the poor thing is gonna get deaf and plus you dont get the excellent sound of this miuro.

And yes I have tried it...

[Dave @ Oct 25th 2006 4:42AM]

Why? A very good question.
Irrelevant Innovation? Hardly!

The concept here is that miuro is NOT just *another* music player which you have to control all the time.
This robot has as an optional feature autonomous motion, and the thing is that ZMP wants to make robots that adapt themselves to YOUR tastes, and finally represent a help to you instead of a burden. This robot is the first step to a new way of enjoying music.

And have any of you heard the quality of the sound?? It is superb!. Even if the robot didnt move that would make it worth a thousand dollars.

[harlu @ Dec 10th 2006 3:29PM]

Isn't this EXACTLY how the trouble started for Tom Selleck in "Runaway"? I mean, can Gene Simmons be far behind?

[geert depoorter @ Sep 8th 2007 5:14AM]

when will this be for sale in europe ????