Video: Vstone's Tichno hates children, slower than Jens Lehmann

If that kid looks a tad uncomfortable, it's because he just schooled Vstone's new Tichno robot on the pitch. Hard not to, really. Although the four-and-a-quarter foot tall / 26-kg (57-pound) Tichno features 2- and 3-axis accelerometers, an aluminum / carbon frame covered in an ABS resin, and the same control board as the Robovie-X, it's slow, like old-man slow. However, with a price of just ¥10,000,000 (almost $100,000), we guess you get what you pay for. Video after the break.

[michaellburk @ Jun 2nd 2008 3:44AM]

robots are going to kill me one day, i know it.

[Chuckles McGee @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:03AM]

Not until they get finished with their seizures from playing soccer.

[Najakwa @ Jun 2nd 2008 9:22AM]

I don't even know why the scientists make them.

[Tom @ Jun 2nd 2008 3:44AM]

Hmm, i am really keen with robot development and its good to see they are working with better motors, the arm movement here seemed really good.
IMO, they should start with perfecting the actual physical movement capabilities of robots before software, a robot that can do one thing (play the trumpet) may get a tiny bit of attention but it isn't really moving towards the grand image of what we wish to achieve from creating a robot.
lawl essay

The white robot in the background looks awesome.

[Blackstar @ Jun 2nd 2008 3:45PM]

I'd take either of the robots over the kid. You can turn them off.

[Daniel @ Jun 2nd 2008 3:45AM]

The Future of Soccer Robotics
Minute 7: And he shoots...
Minute 7: goal!!!!

Minute 19: And the goalie jumps!

Minute 45: Half Time!!

Minute 49: And the goalie stands up.

Astonishing. Well, its a start. I think their just making fun of the robot, im sure the 100,000 are worth for something.

[Saad Rabia @ Jun 2nd 2008 3:48AM]

Hahahahahahaha, You made my day, Daniel. :D

[Paul David @ Jun 2nd 2008 3:49AM]

Whaddya mean slower than Jens Lehman? there is NOTHING slower than Jens Lehman!

[dkrift @ Jun 2nd 2008 4:11AM]

Why do you think Wenger made him number 2?

[Thi mam(kris120890) @ Jun 2nd 2008 5:54AM]

Jens lehmann is pretty damn slow. Arsene wenger was right in picking manuel almunia. and has really bad temper. Made a balls up wih germany last week.


Up the arse nal

[technophobe @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:18AM]

Jens wasn't particully slow he was just crazy, wild and inconsistant, but still a top 'keeper

[Sean @ Jun 2nd 2008 3:49AM]

does it pew?

[DiscoCat5 @ Jun 2nd 2008 3:52AM]

wtf is the point of having a humanoid robot?

why not just make specialised robots for tasks, eg manufacturing etc..

i think this is a waste and is going nowhere..


fell free to prove me wrong

[Daniel @ Jun 5th 2008 6:51PM]

Well, most of what humans do are tasks....
The main point of creating robots is obviously for tasks, because that's generally what they are used for. The whole point of calling it humanoid though is that eventually it will be more than just specialized to one task, but it will be "well rounded", like a human, be able to do multiple tasks. Also, eventually, when everyone has a robot cleaner, the one with greater human characteristics will probably sell more.

Haven't you always wanted that dish-washer which talks to you?

[Ethan @ Jun 2nd 2008 4:50AM]

People like familiarity, I guess.

[404 @ Jun 2nd 2008 4:59AM]

We've build ourselves a nice little humanoid world mate, so the easiest way to get robots to interact is to design them to make use of what's already lying about our planet. If you make robots in the forms of humans it'll be easier to teach them to climb stairs, sit in a car, ride rollercoasters, etc.

[giuliop @ Jun 2nd 2008 5:46AM]

Robots for "tasks and manufacturing" are everywhere; they've been in use for decades. They build your car, all of your electronic gadgets, and pretty much everything else that is mass-produced.

A humanoid robot would be extremely useful in situations where a real human is not available. Take an elderly person who has problems doing even the most basic things; maybe she needs to take a medicine and can't stand up by herself; maybe she has Parkinson's disease and even taking a pill out of the bottle would be a difficult task for her.
A humanoid robot would be a real godsend in these instances.

[DiscoCat5 @ Jun 2nd 2008 7:12AM]

@giuliop
im aware of robots being used for many many years in manufacturing, thats why i said it, i have first hand experience as im sure MANY other people do too.
and i would have to agree with you. after i wrote that comment and had relaxed a little and recvoered from the sensationalist angry state i wa in, it did occurr to me all the logical applications for such robots, eg. aged care, home help etc...
so i do stand corrected

however if i ever see some dipshit chinese guy standing next to anything hello kitty (eg: hello kitty dishwasher) i will probably punch the closest thing near me (985 times)

[Tony Rayo @ Jun 2nd 2008 7:14AM]

I think a good application would be nursing care (although they have some pretty awesome robots working in hospitals now, they are mostly video conferencing on wheels) or anywhere where you would want a metal arm sticking out of the wall and doing set tasks.

Industrial robots are great, but the purpose in life (at least for most humans), is to advance themselves/civilization/etc. A robot that resembles a human makes a lot of sense if we are going to start putting them in places designed for humans. Of course the aesthetics are comforting (or horrific, depending on how you see robot development) to the public as well.

I am a great fan of technology based science fiction (I don't believe in a heaven, but if I did I'd want to spend my afterlife talking with people such as Phillip K. Dick and Isaac Asimov). It'd be too ironic if I died because of the actions of a robotic being. *random* I've also found a more recent author who is great named Orson Scott Card. I highly recommend everyone get the audiobook (which I found to be more enjoyable during the transitions/slow parts of the book) or novel of "Ender's Game". According to IMDB it's being made into a movie this year (even though I believe it was first released at a short-story in the 70s/80s) and I'd like you guys to enjoy it before it's tainted by Hollywood.

[Othello @ Jun 2nd 2008 9:02AM]

We make humanoid robots in part because we are human, and not simply because we relate to them better. Most things are designed to accommodate our shape and method of locomotion, and as such a humanoid robot would be able to maneuver in these areas more efficiently. One example would be a general purpose house bot/butler bot, it would need to be able to get by occasional tight spaces and over obstacles on the floor (wires, carpet, kids toys, cats, etc).

[Jaque-o @ Jun 2nd 2008 3:59AM]

=/ Thank god...

For a moment i thought i was world's worst soccer player,

Slowbots made my day..

Biscuit anyone? my treat!

[shaun @ Jun 2nd 2008 4:02AM]

a football reference! nice, engadget, nice!

[Benhur @ Jun 2nd 2008 6:01AM]

Yeah, I was also surprised.
Like that time they made a eurovision reference.

[ddub @ Jun 2nd 2008 4:18AM]

It was even slow on falling down. Then it just gave up and plopped on its back.

[adamantypants @ Jun 2nd 2008 4:47AM]

Wow, football reference. A reference to my team at that.

Almunia was leagues better anyway.

[Ethan @ Jun 2nd 2008 4:52AM]

Rip on it all you want, but I bet YOU can't get up like that.

[Andrei @ Jun 2nd 2008 6:03AM]

I wonder how much time it takes the robot to write a postcard to nina. ;)

[abib @ Jun 2nd 2008 6:33AM]

the way the robot moves.. is so sensual.

[Tony Rayo @ Jun 2nd 2008 7:03AM]

My favourite part was the pre-programmed "celebration" with the arms. After failing to stop the ball, to me at least, it seemed like it was saying "HAHA! I Sux!".

[Yevon @ Jun 2nd 2008 7:22AM]

Is it just me or does the kid look like a robot? He looks realistic for a robot, but fake for a human.

[Gnoll @ Jun 2nd 2008 7:33AM]

He has the same droopy eyes as the kid from that robot scooter commercial.

[sepirioth @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:46AM]

WHOA! A Sports refference on Engadget!?!? AND WTF ARE YOU SAYING ABOUT JENS!?!?!? He happens to be one of the quickest goalies playing today. Whatever, another engadget biased im sure, ManU fan perhaps?

[skant @ Jun 2nd 2008 11:25AM]

Do Arsenal fans seriously think United fans really care that much about them that they'd make references about their insane keeper? Seriously, unless you're Liverpool, Leeds or City, they don't care. In fact the only ones that do care about you lot are Spurs fans, the rest of us just try to tune you out, like a nagging wife at noon on a Saturday.

[Idlemind @ Jun 2nd 2008 10:30AM]

The kid in the middle kinda creeps me out.

[prathap @ Jun 2nd 2008 11:05AM]

To the idiot who titled it "...... slower than jens lehman"
Fact 1: He is one of the major reasons why Germany reached semi finals in 2006 (remember the Argentina match)
Fact 2: He was preferred to Oliver Kahn in the whole tournament
Fact 3: Holds the champions league record for the most consecutive clean sheets.

[Mutant @ Jun 2nd 2008 1:08PM]

Looks like they need to also work on a robotic sense of humour for certain people too.

[Panathas17 @ Jun 4th 2008 11:01AM]

And the first red card in the Champions League...

But still good

[Valgas @ Jun 2nd 2008 11:29AM]

The "kid" in the middle is named "David-chan", he's a real boy. Just keep him safe.

[Evan Gilmore @ Jun 2nd 2008 9:28PM]

Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain! at 18 seconds.
Are you sure it was preprogrammed completely?

[tom @ Jun 5th 2008 6:54PM]

Please check this site out.

www.skynetrobotics.com

[tom @ Jun 6th 2008 5:26PM]

Check this web site out.

www.skynetrobotics.com