Echo Robotics kicks out matchmaker bears for the socially impaired

Alright fellas, you've got just over a fortnight remaining before what could possibly be your one and only shot (at least for this year) at hooking up with your dream gal, but if all the singles still in the pool end up toting one of Echo Robotics' latest creations, the hard work will already be done. In what looks to be the next step in finding true companionship for the socially impaired, the Echo team has unveiled a prototype bear which "serves as a nucleation point for conversation," and gives off your choice of signal when you've just brushed by your (potential) soulmate. Essentially, you program your "interests" into the Echo via Bluetooth, and when coming into range of another Echo (which can be housed in any "skin" or stuffed animal) with similar interests (hobbies, work, alma mater, etc.), it will start acting up by waving to alert you to start breakin' that ice. Of course, these little guys are only effective when being carried around by perfect strangers you come near, but the idea is intriguing nonetheless. So if you're interested in carrying around a conversation starter with you at all times, and want to bring back the Tamagotchi craze in a whole new light, be sure to click on through for the prototype in action.

[Via RobbotGossip]

[Bad Beaver @ Jan 28th 2007 8:45AM]

So next up we can expect adult men clutching their roboid teddy bears in the streets? Well. Ok. It will apeal to... some type of women.

[John Doe @ Jan 28th 2007 2:26PM]

Yah and some types of men too....o.O

[Joe K. @ Jan 28th 2007 2:36PM]

Hi - this is Joe, one of the developers of Echo.

We are actually developing Echo to be more than just a dating robot - we want it to connect all sorts of people who might discover a common interest. After living in Boston for several years, we grew frustrated with the urban isolation we experienced after trying to strike up conversations in parks and on trains; our hope for Echo is that people will start interacting more with the people around them. Think of it as something like a physical implementation of social networking.

The cute bear just happened to be our first prototype. The actual product's form is only limited by the imagination, and we have a few other form factors (not just stuffed animals, either) in progress in the lab right now.

Echo Robotics was developed at Olin College of Engineering as a submission for an international design competition, and we are in the process of developing the technological and business aspects of the device right now. If you want to learn more or talk to us, check out http://www.echorobotics.com or email us at echo (at) echorobotics (dot) com; we'd love to hear from you.

[Evan A. @ Jan 28th 2007 3:42PM]

I'm Social Phobic and I for one will will not buy one.


Maybe,

[anonymouse @ Jan 28th 2007 4:43PM]

now, if it were built into my cellphone... the bear is cute but I already get enough odd looks...

-gadgetgirl

[Kenno @ Jan 28th 2007 6:27PM]

Absolutely as a phone/PDA app! A great idea that could reduce urban isolation. I'd like to see a profile analysis and photo of the 'matched' person on screen -- that way I'll know who to look for since we won't be carrying bears. Maybe there is hope for Bluetooth yet.

Oh, can you put it in my Chumby -- that isn't here yet?

[BatteryAcid @ Jan 28th 2007 9:47PM]

This teddy reminds me of the one in AI Aftificial Intelgence.

[LOLO @ Jan 29th 2007 12:47AM]

I for one Welcome our Robotic Teddy Overlords,

lol,

[booger62 @ Jan 29th 2007 1:47AM]

can it also kill if it doesn't work out?

[Jon @ Jan 29th 2007 1:51AM]

Girl In Bar: "Uh...hey. I couldn't hep but notice that your creepy stuffed animal appears to be having a seizure."

Guy In Bar: "Yeah, it looks like yours is too. Hey! We have something in common! Can I buy you a drink?"

Girl In Bar: "Screw it, let's just go back to my place. Guys with teddy bears get me so hot."

[ThePete @ Jan 29th 2007 1:45PM]

What's a fortnight?

[nigel @ Jan 29th 2007 2:58PM]

2weeks

[mcewen @ Mar 2nd 2007 8:02PM]

I was researching something else, and arrived [back here] by chance. This is off topic, but this is as good as any place I can think of to find the answer to my quest - what do you call someone who has a phobia about bears? [no rude answers please!] Bizarre, as it may sound, this is a real phobia [web research confirms that much] but as for a name well, I'm open to suggestions. Either there really is a term for this, and if there isn't we'd better make up a good one.
Cheers
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