University of Tokyo crafts tea-grabbing humanoid to serve you better

If you've got a domesticated service bot around to flip your channels and chase away any uninvited intruders, there's not too much else a lonely, elderly individual needs from a fellow humanoid, but researchers at the University of Tokyo are crafting more lifelike and more agile servant bots nevertheless. In an effort to create a tactical team of droids ready and willing to serve the aging population of Japan, the team is working with Kawada Industries Inc. to create friendly robots that can assist folks with around the house chores such as pouring tea and cleaning the dishes. Several models were out and about during a recent demonstration, as one wheeled bot delivered beverages to its master, and other renditions responded to human movements and the bevy of sensors installed in the floor and sofa of a room. Essentially, the team is attempting to seamlessly integrate robotic life with our world, and they're already prepared to feel a lashing from privacy advocates who will protest the embedded camera systems that the robots feed off of. Still, we'd rather have a potentially Big Brother-equipped servant to make sure our favorite dramas get recorded than no one at all.

[PauldG @ Mar 1st 2007 11:58AM]

lol - i thought it said 'tea-bagging humanoid', and i got all excited. i need some more coffee

[Zeb @ Mar 1st 2007 12:27PM]

Same here, I read it wrong at first, thought well this is going to be hilarious, imagining a master chief-like robot, but nope.

A lil dissapointed.

[capn @ Mar 1st 2007 12:19PM]

I'm sick and tired of seeing all these human-modeled robots. If we as humans are so inefficient, as many futurists have pointed out, why do we continue to research and develop robots to mimic us? One of the best robots we currently have and take for granted is our printer, a machine that in no way resembles the physical human form. Let's grow up and start putting this research into more practical applications!!!

[capn @ Mar 1st 2007 12:22PM]

pls- no references to physical ailments or amputees. Limb replacement is obviously a great thing...

[Tim @ Mar 5th 2007 4:20AM]

capn, there's a major difference between robotic AI programmed to do chores and connecting nerves to a bionic limb.

[Lucasz @ Mar 1st 2007 1:29PM]

Now all we need are robots that serve Vodka.

[Leer @ Mar 1st 2007 5:55PM]

What I need is a robot that'll help me successfully hit on female...