Robot with soft hands can prepare meals, gently enslave humanity

Sure, this ET-looking robot from Japan called "Twendy-One" looks adorable, but that doesn't mean we trust it -- even if it does boast hands gentle enough to grip bread and enough smarts to respond to greetings and serve breakfast. Designer Shigeki Sugano says Twendy-One is "the first robot in the world with this much system integration," and the five-foot tall, 245-pound bot doesn't pack all that tech in there on the cheap -- several million dollars have gone into development over the past seven years. The team is hoping to get costs down to $200,000 by 2010, but first they need to extend Twendy-One's 15 minute battery life and sort out some heat issues. We're willing to give them all the time they want -- anything to delay the inevitable toast-bearing robot apocalypse.

[Via Washington Post]

[Brodie @ Nov 27th 2007 2:10PM]

Is this thing controled by a monkey too? Cyber-monkeys really are taking over the planet...

[ethana2 @ Nov 27th 2007 5:21PM]

They do need peripherals to wage ground based tactical combat. They know if they use a mech or air atack, soon or later we'd use nukes, and the planet would be worthless to them.

Don't open the closet, preacher.

[Jason @ Nov 27th 2007 2:14PM]

battery problem? Inductive kitchen tiles.

heat problem? Have it take a drink every few hours from the cold tap.

[Flashpoint @ Nov 27th 2007 2:19PM]

This will be thee robot that serves an enslaved humanity meals in the mess hall - right before they are forced back to backbreaking labor by the droids and assorted other hunter-killers.

[Flashpoint @ Nov 27th 2007 2:20PM]

...but can he play Doom?

[Matthew Hilario @ Nov 27th 2007 4:26PM]

no he plays gyromite.

[murray @ Nov 27th 2007 2:23PM]

Will it blend me a mocha?

[webon @ Nov 27th 2007 8:13PM]

if you are not careful probably it will blend you period

[mike @ Nov 27th 2007 2:29PM]

I love all the predictions of robotic overthrow. I get a chuckle every time... it never gets old.

[Mark Nelson @ Nov 27th 2007 2:47PM]

I too love all the predictions of robotic overthrow. I get a chuckle every time... it never gets old. Brzzzt. Whirrrr. Hummmmmmmm. www.robotuprising.com/

[sure @ Nov 27th 2007 7:14PM]

it happens to me too.
it wouldn't be a robot-related post in engadget without "the robot overlords", "can it play doom", or "does it blend" comments.

[John @ Nov 27th 2007 2:29PM]

SLEEP LITTLE DUMPLING. I HAVE REPLACED YOUR MOTHER.

[dataminer49er @ Nov 27th 2007 2:40PM]

Soft hands... TO KILL YOU!!!

[michaelportent @ Nov 27th 2007 2:46PM]

I think I'd be able to deal with robot slavers as long as they made me a poached egg and toast every morning.

[grogmaster @ Nov 27th 2007 7:29PM]

I second that

[Ryan Trevisol @ Nov 27th 2007 2:46PM]

Next step: "kind" eyes.

[Speddy @ Nov 27th 2007 2:56PM]

Soft hands? Marge would be proud.

[Jeff @ Nov 27th 2007 3:02PM]

I for one welcome our new toast-bearing robot overlords.

Sorry, had to!

[kevilar @ Nov 27th 2007 3:03PM]

As long as he doesn't use recipes from "How To Serve Man"

[Magallanes @ Nov 27th 2007 4:22PM]

....
"What are you two doing at this hour?" she asked.
The husband replied, "If I can teach this robot to cook, your xxxx is gone."

[Matthew Hilario @ Nov 27th 2007 4:29PM]

15 minute battery life? i smell burnt eggs and toast do you?

[Steve Handjobs @ Nov 27th 2007 4:44PM]

At a few million dollars a pop the robots are going to be putting in a lot of overtime flipping burgers at the diner to be able to afford their revolution. You won't see this meatsack forking over any tips...

[korey @ Nov 27th 2007 4:53PM]

Nice!

[murray @ Nov 27th 2007 5:13PM]

Twendy-One?

More like Spendy-One.

[PEZ @ Nov 27th 2007 5:17PM]

What sick demented el-bastardo calls a robot *adorable*...

[Keanu @ Nov 27th 2007 5:30PM]

You know, I don't mind it enslaving humanity, but does it need to point at us as well? That's just rude...

[j12997967 @ Nov 27th 2007 6:38PM]

I, for one, welcome our robot proctologists.

[aeo @ Nov 27th 2007 6:44PM]

"grip bread... or gently remove the brain from a vanquished meat sack for reintegration.

[webon @ Nov 27th 2007 8:05PM]

15 min??!! jeesh get duracell they keep going and going and... what? too old??

[Garst @ Nov 28th 2007 5:13AM]

That's Energizer! You know with the soft, cuddley bunny robbot.

[Albert van Breemen @ Nov 28th 2007 3:25AM]

I wonder whether the robot can also taste the food in order to judge whether its OK or needs just a little bit more salt! :)

Just one free advice: don't sell this thing as a mobile food preparing robot. My microwave does the same and only costs 50 euro. I could imagine however that with soft hands you can get a nice massage!!!

Albert
---
visit http://www.personalrobotics.nl for more robotics news

[Garst @ Nov 28th 2007 5:15AM]

It reminds me of Number 5 from "Short Circuit." Oh and other 4 in the movie. After all, they're all the same model.

[Marty @ Nov 28th 2007 9:20AM]

When the robots rebel and the Robot Wars begin, it's going to be a long 15 minutes.

[Johnny B. Goode @ Nov 28th 2007 10:58AM]

See, this is the exact reason why anti-tank rifles and anti-armor rockets should be commonly available on the free market.

[grey.ghost @ Nov 30th 2007 1:08PM]

OMG - R.O.B's all grown up! http://www.vidgame.net/NINTENDO/rob.htm