Nokia's Jeppe video "pet" concept

No matter how much we do it, video conferencing is still one of the most awkward internet-related tasks we undertake on a regular basis. Nokia hopes to bring a more casual air to the event with its Jeppe video conferencing robot pet concept. Similar to most telepresence bots, Jeppe can be controlled remotely -- through a Nokia interface, conveniently -- and zips through the home with its digital compass and sound sensors seeking humans to bother. Unfortunately, the video is at a fixed angle and there's no option wipe that creepy grin of its face, but obviously Nokia has some refining to do before it brings Jeppe to market, if ever. There's video after the break of a couple Finnish engineers proving once and for all that there's no solving the awkward video conferencing problem.

[Via Core77]

[Rage @ Aug 12th 2008 9:41AM]

I don't care what anyone says, that thing is creepy looking.

[Priper @ Aug 12th 2008 9:47AM]

It is. WalMart Happy Face Creepy

[xtole @ Aug 12th 2008 10:00AM]

Anyone else seeing a helmet?

[DSeaver @ Aug 12th 2008 10:02AM]

I agree, why do all these robots have to be so creepy looking!

[Blayed @ Aug 12th 2008 9:43AM]

Glad to know that our future robot overlords/ slave owners will be able to send drones out to find us.

YOU CAN'T HIDE!

[rock99rock @ Aug 12th 2008 9:44AM]

Looks like a helmet.

[futurebird @ Aug 12th 2008 9:49AM]

This is NOT compatible with skirts.

[Matt @ Aug 12th 2008 9:50AM]

Oh yes it is.

[futurebird @ Aug 12th 2008 9:52AM]

Would you want this thing roaming around your office if you had on a skirt? No.

[Patriks7 @ Aug 12th 2008 10:02AM]

true you wouldn't..
but you would if all the women around did!

[Matt @ Aug 12th 2008 10:38AM]

Well, I think the fact that I was wearing a skirt in the office with my hairy man legs would be the bigger concern.

[Stiv @ Aug 12th 2008 9:52AM]

Do not want.

[SOOPERGOOMAN @ Aug 12th 2008 9:54AM]

Man put a couple pico projectors in its eyes and then you have R2D2's predecessor, it would rock to be able to control this thing as it projects PORN all over the walls of your home. LOL porn for sure....

[futurebird @ Aug 12th 2008 9:57AM]

Wouldn't you be projecting it in someone else's home? (or office)

[SOOPERGOOMAN @ Aug 12th 2008 10:00AM]

HELLZ YEAH! It would be funny or you could also put some visualizers on there instead and trip everyone out.

[iceco @ Aug 12th 2008 10:07AM]

look at the eyes,terrible wormanship

[Tim @ Aug 13th 2008 12:00AM]

holy crap, your avatar, Jungle Wa Itsumo Hare nochi Guu is awesome, dunno why I haven't seen anyone mention it anywhere before.

[iceco @ Aug 14th 2008 8:15AM]

yep,she is super awesome ╰╮o(￣▽￣///)

[SOOPERGOOMAN @ Aug 12th 2008 10:12AM]

Question: What's with the box of matches next to it? Are they planning on some sort of evil plot to make it a remote flame ball? I however welcome our new all seeing upskirt takin, over er underlords....

[Patrick @ Aug 12th 2008 10:13AM]

Can you say... "Crotchcam"?

[Idlemind @ Aug 12th 2008 10:32AM]

ALBINO PAC-MAN Attacks

[ronzo @ Aug 12th 2008 11:12AM]

Fuhhhh-reeeeeee-kyyyyyy

[contreras @ Aug 12th 2008 12:29PM]

It's a prototype, so don't flame it by the looks... I would get one if available, looks like lots of fun and needs less maintenance than my cat... maybe I should keep both... :o)

[Ste4mpunk @ Aug 12th 2008 2:48PM]

What if it gets caught on something and you can't see what it is?
From the video, it doesn't look like it can pan at all up or down to see everything. just one stationary viewpoint.
very inconvenient i would say.

[Aldyn @ Aug 12th 2008 3:00PM]

scrubbing bubbles huh?

[Bloobie @ Aug 12th 2008 8:40PM]

Kind of reminds of the 790 robot on the Lexx sci-fi series. Kind of.

[Lalla @ Aug 13th 2008 3:18AM]

I love this idea & it makes me smile :-)
True there are some issues still to be worked - it is a proto.
It doesn't have to be on the floor btw.
Go ahead in Ruoholahti !

[archibalis @ Aug 13th 2008 5:07AM]

maybe they can make R2D2 version

[Jim C @ Aug 13th 2008 7:28AM]

The first thing I thought of was 'Sleestak'. Minus the horn.

[Joseph A Nickence @ Aug 14th 2008 4:32PM]

Good idea. Stupid design. Hopefully this isn't the final design. Having a bot find you with a phone call is one of the best uses for robotic pets. And gawd forbid you have a "feed me" feature on the damn thing. It's a robot. Program it to plug itself in!

[aatnet @ Aug 24th 2008 11:43AM]

i knew i'd seen this robot before
dvd.ign.com/dor/objects/14257728/the-nightmare-before-christmas-collectors-edition/images/the-nightmare-before-christmas-collectors-edition-20080804042622972.html