D2E's IGURO robot receptionist

South Korea's D2E looks to be moving up in the world of robotics, going from pint-sized programmable bots to life-size robots of the human-replacing variety. If it has its way, D2E's IGURO bot could soon be sitting at a reception desk near you, guiding you on your way to your destination and totally freaking out small children (and adults who know better) in the process. While it apparently lacks the ability to walk, it can move its arms and boasts voice and visual recognition, so it can get to know the regulars. Additional tasks can also be initiated using a nearby controller or managed from a remote location. Alas, it seems not everything has advanced as far as IGURO's interpersonal abilities, as it's still stuck wearing a goofy-looking headset like the rest of us.

[Mike @ Nov 14th 2006 8:18PM]

That's just creepy...

[Mr. Picklesworth @ Nov 14th 2006 8:45PM]

The design is, as with most robots like it, ridiculous.

Technologically, it sounds excellent.

I wonder who will be the first to not fear the future and instead create robot receptionists that look like robot receptionists as opposed to human receptionists?

[Aaron @ Nov 15th 2006 5:35AM]

I think the reason robots are designed like people is because we want them to do things that are helpful to us. Not helpful to other robots, or dogs, or fish, or anything else, just us. So the most useful design is one similar to our own bodies.

I remember reading something a year or two ago saying talking about how nature has already spent several billion years developing useful bodies and joints and such, so imitating living things saves us some R&D time as the design is already highly efficient.

I agree that this particular robot has some room for improvement, but... a robot made to do a human job will always be as close to a human as the current technology allows.

[Greg @ Nov 14th 2006 9:11PM]

Has anyone considered an Aibo receptionist?
Aibo asks how was your day, says hello, shakes hands, can tell you the time, and is polite. :)

[Jacques67 @ Nov 14th 2006 10:45PM]

I, for one, welcome.... ugh. [shoots self]

[interrelate @ Nov 14th 2006 10:59PM]

Japanese Boy: "Wow, it's Teletubbies!"

[captainobvious @ Nov 15th 2006 5:47PM]

i don't think a japanese boy would say anything, as it is clearly stated this is occuring in south korea..

[Aaron @ Nov 15th 2006 5:39AM]

I made a mistake in the second paragraph... I don't know why I try to do stuff at 5 in the morning.