KAR robot arm does the dishes, sort of

Ok, so it may not be quite as ambitious as some all-purpose cleaning robots, but this so-called KAR robot arm developed by a group of researchers from Panasonic and the University of Tokyo does appear to at least do the sole task it was designed for relatively well. While it can't exactly "wash" the dishes, per se, it can apparently pick up even delicate dishes without damaging them, dip them in the water, load them into a dishwasher, and even turn on said dishwasher. The researchers apparently aren't satisfied with things just yet, however, and they say they eventually hope that robot will be able to clean up after a family of four in just five minutes. Head on past the break for a video, and hit up the link below for another silent (and, hence, more unnerving) one.

[Via Japan Probe]

[iEye #2 @ Dec 18th 2008 9:50PM]

Or you could use paper plates cups and plastic utensils, and not need the space arm, dishwasher... more cost effective too!

[Tankyu @ Dec 18th 2008 10:00PM]

Or you can just get married like I did... problem solved! Although definitely not more cost effective than paper plates.

[Jordan @ Dec 18th 2008 10:21PM]

come on now, you know how much plastic is thrown out and ends up in the ocean and landfills? its disgusting to see how many animals are killed by human waste.

[iEye #2 @ Dec 21st 2008 12:50PM]

"how many animals are killed by human"

...You forget, I was an Owl Exterminator!

[Charles @ Dec 18th 2008 11:10PM]

Thanks for that Jordon. I had taken iEye's comments completely seriously and was about to rush out to load up on paper plates and plastic utensils. I'm sure many other readers were about to do the same so it's lucky you posted in time and stopped us.

Christ, are we not even allowed a bit of a joke these days without somebody like you trying to turn it into a guilt trip?

[hiroo @ Dec 18th 2008 11:30PM]

You shouldn't ask Christ about that, Charles. He virtually invented the guilt trip.

[Jason @ Dec 19th 2008 12:05AM]

Actually, no he took it all for himself.

[bill cant fart @ Dec 18th 2008 10:06PM]

Yeah sure. It's good at cleaning the dishes, but they forgot to mention how good it is at strangling puppies!

[Flashpoint @ Dec 18th 2008 10:06PM]

At least it won't argue with you, question your tardiness getting home or suspect you of infidelity.

By the Way, I'm gonna be at the Engadget NYC meetup tommorow.

[Aguiluz @ Dec 18th 2008 10:08PM]

Aww! I wish I was a year older!

(And more closer to NYC, darn. >_>)

[John H. @ Dec 18th 2008 10:21PM]

whats the grip strength on that arm? could become dangerous when self-aware

[Flashpoint @ Dec 18th 2008 10:25PM]

...or, it could be a man's best friend with a bottle of lotion and a "fast stroke" technique.

[Brightlights @ Dec 18th 2008 10:24PM]

One up for the post-feminist movement apocolypse

[Carol A @ Dec 18th 2008 11:03PM]

I need a machine to load my dishwasher? Then another one to turn on the dishwasher? A dishwasher unloader?
Give me what I really want!! A robot that cleans the !!#*#@!! kitchen floor after my husband cooks!

[BigD145 @ Dec 18th 2008 11:27PM]

Program it to fondle my nuts and give me a hand job without killing me and I'll be impressed. I won't ever use it again, but I'll be impressed. The job it does now? Worthless. I don't even have a dishwasher.

[Jason @ Dec 19th 2008 12:07AM]

Well on that basis, your request is equally moot.

[wtf? @ Dec 19th 2008 12:52AM]

@TnoyR: Will my interracial lover do the dishes?

[kio @ Dec 19th 2008 4:24AM]

strangely sounds to me like star wars fighing robots (ep. I) looking at enemies through binoculars…

[Shinigami @ Dec 19th 2008 5:53AM]

Is this any better or cost efficient compared to a ... dishwasher machine?
It surely doesn't argue with you, question you, suspect you ect, but can you enjoy having sex with it?

[Rocketboy @ Dec 19th 2008 8:40AM]

It better do the dishes, if it knows what's good for it.


Q: What do you call a robot with one black eye?

[randombloke @ Dec 19th 2008 9:47AM]

Man, what is with the Japanese and naming their new robotic toys after homicidal AIs?
Fist there was the (equally terrifyingly named) Cyberdyne Systems and their HAL suit and now someone's named a robot arm after KAR, the most vicious four-wheeled vehicle to ever have a frikken' laser beam mounted on it.

[UltimaHOJ @ Dec 19th 2008 1:53PM]

This is simply stupid, look how slow that arm moves, and grab a plate and did what??? simply swing back and forth in the water, and guess what! Done!

[Idsanaki @ Dec 22nd 2008 11:32AM]

Прикольная тема, мне бы домой такую руку...

[bob @ Dec 23rd 2008 8:53AM]

Dose it give handjobs. lol