Toyota unveils violin-playing, personal transport robots

We can't say we totally understand the reason for unveiling a violin-playing robot alongside one that assists in personal mobility, but nevertheless, the aforementioned duo is indeed being trumpeted today by Toyota. The two bots are the newest members of the firm's Partner Robots, which are being developed "to support people's everyday life." As for the mobility machine, it enables individuals to take a seat while it rolls along uneven ground and navigates around obstacles, while the musician in the bunch is apparently being created to stroll into nursing homes / medical facilities in order to soothe and entertain patients. Reportedly, the outfit is hoping to have both of these units put to "practical use" by 2010, so if you're tired of overpaying that disgruntled pianist to sit around and play for your guests, unpaid help is on the way.

[Via Yahoo / Reuters]

[soul7963 @ Dec 6th 2007 10:24AM]

I like the fact the despite the shiny white robot, they still seem to have an antique violin rather than a shiny white electric one al la Vanessa Mae!!

[pquistgard @ Dec 6th 2007 3:53PM]

Opposites attract...and that definitely applies to Vanessa Mae!

[Flashpoint @ Dec 6th 2007 10:25AM]

I'm glad to know that our robotic overlords will not only be musicaly inclined but, they will be able to easily cart away our dead bodies.

[James @ Dec 6th 2007 11:43AM]

Flashpoint, I for one welcome our violin playing, dead body toting Toyota overlords.

[strider_mt2k @ Dec 6th 2007 10:33AM]

It will run many many years on it's atomic slug.
It will also tell you your horoscope, sai.

Thanks Lamerk Industries and North Central Positronics!

[DT @ Dec 6th 2007 10:39AM]

It's good that they finally came up with a way for an electronic device to reproduce music, and in a perfectly sensible and uncomplicated manner.

[chezzo @ Dec 6th 2007 12:31PM]

Reminds me of something I saw in the music section of the Munich Museum (well worth a visit by the way).

It was a (still functioning) barrel organ which, as well as the organ, had three violins strapped to it along with mechanical fingers and bowing arms. Surprisingly enough it didn't actually sound too bad, although obviously its tonal range was severely limited.

[aeo @ Dec 6th 2007 10:52AM]

Can't you just pick up 3 or 4 violinists off the street begging for coins these days? For a few dollars you could dress one up in a cardboard and aluminum foil suit and parade them around the local retirement home.

[Kyles @ Dec 6th 2007 10:54AM]

Professor Xavier is going to be so happy when he sees this.

[StrangeBum @ Dec 6th 2007 11:00AM]

Could the violin playing robot be more for well....I don't know..unless it's actually playing a violin to showcase some very agile fingerwork for a robot, I'm just clueless.

However the wheelchair robot hybrid I think should be quite appreciated in the near future when things like this become more readily available. This world has come to such a point on reliance of electronics for convenience, we are becoming more lazy. I still like to use my legs to walk and jog and run, but I know millions of people would rather just sit and go.

[dkffiv @ Dec 6th 2007 11:00AM]

Am I the only disappointed that it is not a robot who can play the violin and then transform into a personal transport vehicle? After a quick read of the title and a glance at the two pictures I was wondering how the transformation process would look.

Also the violin-playing thing might make more sense that way. Drive grandpa from bed to living room, unload, entertain said grandpa with violin play, transform back into transport mode, deliver said grandpa to nearest feeding facility.

[Stupidiot @ Dec 6th 2007 11:02AM]

A robot that plays music? What, you mean like an MP3 player on legs?

[James @ Dec 6th 2007 11:42AM]

Flashpoint, I for one welcome our violin playing, dead body toting Toyota overlords.

[Eddie @ Dec 6th 2007 11:46AM]

Ever notice the similarities between a violin and a semiautomatic submachine gun or plasma rifle?

Neither did I, until now...

[CraigJ @ Dec 6th 2007 12:03PM]

I've seen Honda's ASIMO in person. It is really quite amazing how well it seems to work. The big problem is that is it can only operate for like an hour between recharges...

[Denver_80203 @ Dec 6th 2007 12:04PM]

I'm guessing that the lack of back support on the chair is a "feature" to keep you from relaxing and thus tipping backwards?

[John @ Dec 6th 2007 12:28PM]

Just one step away from an Overlord ordering me to dance and having one of his buddies to play the tune. We are so scr*wed!

[holycow @ Dec 6th 2007 12:34PM]

ZOMG.. transformers are coming to life!!

[Another Andreas @ Dec 6th 2007 12:38PM]

[QUOTE]We can't say we totally understand the reason for unveiling a violin-playing robot alongside one that assists in personal mobility[/QUOTE]

Simple, he was looking to take his show on the road! Ha Ha! Honk! Honk!





F' Jackie.

[Wwhat @ Dec 6th 2007 12:47PM]

"Capable of following a person, allowing it to function as a porter"
"Capable of avoiding obstacles to reach its owner and of autonomously transporting its owner"

That certainly makes people obsolete (view expressed is only valid for politicians)

[Joey Schenning @ Dec 6th 2007 6:10PM]

They already made a trumpet-playing one, which is MORE amazing. Violins use pressure to make sound via the strings and bow, but trumpets have to have a buzzing motion along with high velocity air... they would have to make a fleshy-yet-firm substance for that.

[Seether @ Dec 8th 2007 2:07AM]

"a fleshy-yet-firm substance for that"

You just turned me on for some reason....

[Neoprimal @ Dec 7th 2007 4:18AM]

Have the violin playing one transform into the cart when I'm done at starbucks and I'm game!

[Trendinista @ Dec 7th 2007 10:59AM]

While you sob uncontrollably (because people are laughing at you scooting along in your port-a-potty on wheels), the robot plays his violin to console you.