Researchers develop robot with non-verbal communications skills

While we swear our Roomba reacts to our moods, researchers at Japan's National Institute of Information and Communications Technology have developed a humanoid bot that can use communicate using gestures. The 187-pound robot stands about five feet tall and uses a 3D vision system to recognize gestures like pointing and bowing and determine their meaning -- and then use the same gestures when appropriate. The researchers say they envision the tech being used in caregiver robots for the elderly, but we're not trusting them until we see proof this thing recognizes the gesture for "Do Not Enslave."

[Via The Inquirer]

[Razor @ Oct 25th 2007 4:16PM]

Hey it's C3-PO from Episode I & II!

[Maverick @ Oct 25th 2007 4:18PM]

but we're not trusting them until we see proof this thing recognizes the gesture for "Do Not Enslave."...

lol...nervously.

[Benson @ Oct 25th 2007 7:40PM]

Oh come on, what system _can't_ recognize a 62-grain copper-jacketed lead gesture?

The only question: will it heed them?

When the armored version comes out, I fear it may not.

[Wesburl @ Oct 25th 2007 4:19PM]

Does "I'll be back" mean anything to anyone??

How long is it before they realize they are actively pursuing a way to destroy humanity...

[rzlmlchm009 @ Oct 25th 2007 4:23PM]

All hope is lost! Even Chuck Norris cowers before this thing!

[LesbianHam @ Oct 25th 2007 4:25PM]

Chuck Norris cowers before no one

[NuShrike @ Oct 26th 2007 4:56PM]

He cowered before Bruce Lee!

[HineyWipe @ Oct 25th 2007 4:32PM]

They invented a robot that can give you "the bird" ?

[Jennifer @ Oct 25th 2007 4:47PM]

Space bots...can be used to test air samples. When they start building atmospheres on the 169 moons in our Galaxy, space bots will be indispensable tools.

[Dave @ Oct 25th 2007 4:51PM]

Looks like that crazy robot that tried to kill everyone in that old 70s scifi Saturn 5.

[phlavor @ Oct 25th 2007 4:51PM]

So the "hip thrust" is a form of nonverbal communication?

[mwilgar @ Oct 25th 2007 4:59PM]

I, for one, welcome our new Robot Masters!

[Nathan @ Oct 25th 2007 5:05PM]

It should read
"I for one welcome our new finger giving, hip thrusting, commanding-you-to-slave-away-in-the-silica-mines-with-a-pointing-motion robotic overlords"

Geez!

[dave lemke @ Oct 25th 2007 5:35PM]

Its all fine and dandy if the bot "recognizes the gesture for "Do Not Enslave,"" but will it obey such a demand? Perhaps it'll just give you the finger, then rip out your pulsating heart before your eyes.

Also, yes, it is C-3PO from ep. 1 &2. har.

[Matthew Hilario @ Oct 25th 2007 5:58PM]

you see that? i only knows when you bow to it.

[Sirocco @ Oct 25th 2007 6:30PM]

Why does the notion persist that a robot must emulate the human form? 1st, it's extremely top-heavy. 2nd, wouldn't 4 or more arms be better than 2? 3rd, nature seems to favor creatures with at least 4 legs. Or wouldn't wheels be better, you know, something that rolls around? So if you're going to "create" a new creature, it seems to make sense to stick with the trend set by nature. A robot that emulates a human being may be "cute", but unless the objective is "virtual sex"...but then again, is that the objective, ultimately? In our quest to build a robot, are we driven by nothing but our innate need to copulate?

[grjohnston @ Oct 25th 2007 10:10PM]

You haven't heard of the Uncanny Valley, have you? I mean, yes, there's that whole... valley that's uncanny, part. But the rest of it is still desirable for human-robot interactions. I know that relating to a robot will make me less likely to enslave it, so maybe, if the robot is enough like me, the fact that I am like it will make it not want to enslave me, either.

[Sirocco @ Oct 26th 2007 3:19AM]

But robots ARE slaves! That's the whole point! Why would you NOT enslave it? We enslave other humans, now more than ever (especially in India) so, of COURSE we'd enslave robots!

[XGM @ Oct 25th 2007 6:33PM]

So if i start pelvic thrusting, or t-bag, will it now im pwning some noobs ?

[Torrey S. @ Oct 26th 2007 12:40PM]

People people, we have nothing to worry about until the robots adapt the "squid" form that we see in Matrix.

Besides we already have EMP's to bump 'em off if they get out of hand.

If that doesn't work, we can always burn the skies... everythingis well in hand.
(gasp)

[martintxo @ Nov 10th 2007 6:45PM]

so, what happens when chuck norris is in front of the mirror?

anyway, this thing is badass looking.