Basil the Robot trained for symbolic recognition, beer toting

Though not much of a looker -- feel free to insert your own beer goggles joke here -- Basil the Robot is an experiment by Jim and Louise Gunderson to train an AI to identify its surroundings symbolically. That way, the couple hopes, he can react dynamically in new environments. Basil was intended to be shown off at a Cafe Scientifique meeting by having him go to the bar and order drinks for his creators, but that proved unsuccessful when Basil's battery died. The couple did videotape a successful trial run from the night before, which you can see after the break. Basil will next receive a microphone for voice commands and be upgraded from his current sonar navigation to a video sight system. The eventual goal is to teach Basil to go to the local brewery and pick up beer. Sure, we're still terrified of the robot revolution, but let's get serious here -- who are we to deny our mechanical overlords if they keep proffering us six-packs? Hit up the read link for the full story.

[Via Metafilter]

[charliex @ Dec 22nd 2008 7:51PM]

Boom! Boom!

[El Taco @ Dec 22nd 2008 7:56PM]

We get plenty of those here, you don't need to help out.

[Cris @ Dec 22nd 2008 8:00PM]

With their/our limitations and all... don't you think robots are overrated and humans are underrated?

[phanbouy fan fan @ Dec 22nd 2008 8:02PM]

nice try, fembot

[Jonathan-DBOSS @ Dec 22nd 2008 8:08PM]

Will it pick up the tab?

[br123 @ Dec 22nd 2008 8:09PM]

@Cris:

If this video is anything to judge by, no. They could just get the tea themselves and not waste another four minutes of their life.

[Menos @ Dec 22nd 2008 8:12PM]

die.

[Trevor @ Dec 22nd 2008 8:47PM]

I, for one...

[gonintendo @ Dec 22nd 2008 11:03PM]

welcome our new robot overlords.

[giuliop @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:13PM]

Exterminate!

[mos @ Dec 22nd 2008 10:24PM]

Next, program Basil to rob a bank.

[Zach @ Dec 22nd 2008 10:28PM]

I think there's a midget in that case!

[Kawaii @ Dec 23rd 2008 12:21AM]

Dr. Who! D:

[marky-b @ Dec 23rd 2008 12:55AM]

why the hell are there so many old people in that picture?

[marky-b @ Dec 23rd 2008 1:01AM]

i just watched the video and like most robots, that thing is super creepy

[superhobo @ Dec 23rd 2008 4:43AM]

It looks like a walking dustbin.

[Hackettman @ Dec 23rd 2008 12:18PM]

That thing would not be able to get beer sadly..... The stops and turns are too jumpy..... Bigger tires and maybe a progressive stop would make it the ultimate beer getting device..... However it would be great for errands if someone doesnt steal it in the process......