Robot ticketer greets amusement park visitors, offers frightening glimpse of the future

Manufactured by NEC, this new FeliCa payment terminal (seen here at iEXPO 2008 in Tokyo) is designed for amusement parks, arcades, or any place where a whimsical touch-screen device might trick you into spending more money than you normally would. And if handing control of your e-wallet to an android wasn't bad enough, in addition to selling tickets and dispensing data the device boasts integrated facial recognition for identifying and profiling park visitors -- a feature to be used for determining your demographic information and pointing you towards appropriate "amusement," such as a restaurant for Ma or a wave pool for the kiddies. What could possibly go "worng," you ask? Have you even seen Westworld?

[Zack @ Nov 12th 2008 7:44PM]

What could possibly go worng, you ask?

[Engadgetier @ Nov 12th 2008 8:32PM]

What could go wrong?

[Aguiluz @ Nov 12th 2008 8:34PM]

This bot reminds me of the T-103 from the movie Terminator 3.

Scares me because it may have a machinegun at it's arm any moment now...

[Aguiluz @ Nov 12th 2008 8:41PM]

EDIT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1TrE7LdNV0

Look at around 5:35 and you can see it. Same silver armor. Scary...

[AJ in the East Bay @ Nov 12th 2008 7:48PM]

I'm calling Sarah Connor right now so she can take care of this...

[thedesolate1 @ Nov 12th 2008 9:46PM]

Looks like we are living in some alternate universe where Skynec is the evil.

[AK @ Nov 12th 2008 7:48PM]

Yay, the first ageist, sexist robot! Here's hoping that Jim Crow 3000 will be released soon.

[ugg.tryptophan @ Nov 12th 2008 9:05PM]

FeliCa - "thank you for coming to iEXPO, may i direct you to the nearest fried chicken and watermelon vendor?"

[Valicore @ Nov 12th 2008 10:14PM]

Oh shit, ahahahaha. That's hella wrong :P

[Pudge @ Nov 12th 2008 7:49PM]

How would Dennis Hopper and his band of Jet Ski pirates link up with evil robots?

[metalcharms @ Nov 12th 2008 8:34PM]

They said WESTworld, not WATERworld.

[allenvanhellen @ Nov 12th 2008 7:51PM]

I would go to a theme park way more often if I could buy tickets from Mr. Thunderclese!

[Backlin @ Nov 12th 2008 8:15PM]

That face is very friendly.

[iEye @ Nov 12th 2008 8:16PM]

The mighty Gundam refuses entry!!!

[Coolty @ Nov 13th 2008 12:19PM]

I like how your new avatar is a simpsons reference and also indicates that you are a troll.

[EdZ @ Nov 13th 2008 4:40PM]

It looks more like it was designed by Izubuchi (of Patlabor fame. And he's worked on humanoid robot designs in the past) than Okawara or Katoki.

[Jon Nelson @ Nov 12th 2008 8:16PM]

By "greet" I think he means "mercilessly tears the eyes out of"

[Big Al @ Nov 12th 2008 8:19PM]

What is up with the ears? It looks like some freakish Ratchet & Clank lovechild.

And, does anyone else think that the robot seems poised to strike someone with that stance?

[xconan @ Nov 13th 2008 6:25AM]

Really actually the antenna ears reminds of the mechs from Patlabor. http://www.animecritic.com/patlabor/anr-patlabor1.html

[Jon Acheson @ Nov 13th 2008 10:08AM]

Yeah, my first response was "Alphonse!" as well.

[Paul @ Nov 12th 2008 8:22PM]

I'm thinking that any dispensers (ticket, receipt or otherwise) should be removed from the crotch area post-haste. Seeing a ticket slowly emerge from down there and then having to grab it would definitely creep me out.

[gad get @ Nov 13th 2008 1:11AM]

The dispenser looks to be a bit higher than that.

[Samurai Jack @ Nov 12th 2008 8:26PM]

That thing looks like it's full of Sassy Cat Crudcakes...

[Cyrus Siminpour @ Nov 12th 2008 8:31PM]

Why is it in the form of a humanoid? Why not and ATM type machine? Don't get it...

[ugg.tryptophan @ Nov 12th 2008 9:01PM]

"Because it's cool"

[Messymeese @ Nov 12th 2008 9:01PM]

"Sir, after inserting your Card, could you itch my balls?"

[ugg.tryptophan @ Nov 12th 2008 9:02PM]

dude,are you seeing the same picture?

[Greg Cox @ Nov 12th 2008 9:04PM]

son i want you to show me on the doll where the bad robot touched you.

[ugg.tryptophan @ Nov 12th 2008 9:06PM]

am i missing something?

[kevin123r @ Nov 12th 2008 9:19PM]

hi

[gad get @ Nov 13th 2008 1:20AM]

Please don't do that! You're just opening yourself up to all kinds of ridicule from Engadget denizens. You can't just randomly say "hi" on some random post. Some people here just read your comment and get this rush of self-superiority as they come up with some witty reply to simultaneously insult and entertain. You're an idiot!

(Oops, sorry, I just did it, didn't I?)

[Reader @ Nov 13th 2008 2:07AM]

Minus the witty part.

[kojo87 @ Nov 12th 2008 9:30PM]

kinda just looks like a touch monitor with a big plastic head and arms. talking things without heads kinda freak me out though so thats good that it has one i guess

[iEye @ Nov 12th 2008 9:50PM]

Morbo says: HE WILL DESTROY ALL PUNY EARTHLINGS!!!!

mu hahahaha!!!

[Ed @ Nov 12th 2008 10:19PM]

MEDIBOT!

[patrick @ Nov 12th 2008 10:31PM]

i think its cool

[xor24 @ Nov 12th 2008 11:58PM]

I think it's creepy.

[gad get @ Nov 13th 2008 1:21AM]

You're both wrong! If there's one adjective that applies here, it's definitely "nerdelicious".

[slyst @ Nov 13th 2008 12:12AM]

"My eyes are up here sir."

[Reader @ Nov 13th 2008 2:09AM]

This is amazingly impressive... They put a normal touchscreen kiosk into a robot-esque case! Holy shit, what will they do next?

[reisa @ Nov 13th 2008 5:40AM]

Seriously. Robot? Fail.

[jeicrash @ Nov 13th 2008 2:41AM]

yipee, a kiosk with plastic parts to make it look like a sad robot rip-off. Apparently no one watches horror movies things like this where used back in the old side show days, less technical perhaps but still. Its been so long since I seen something thats genuinely neat or cool. Come on put up some suicide booths instead with live web feeds. hmmmmmm.

[Evan @ Nov 13th 2008 9:01AM]

According to Futurama, we should start seeing Suicide Booths by the end of this year, you know.

[ka1axy73 @ Nov 13th 2008 7:12AM]

Welcome to Itchy & Scratchy Land!

Don't miss the Robot Parade at noon, but please, no flash photography!

[neodorian @ Nov 13th 2008 2:58PM]

"Sorry folks, park's closed! Moose out front should've told ya."

[Phil @ Nov 13th 2008 6:18PM]

I'm sorry, you want me to stick WHAT??? in your slot???