Probo the huggable Belgian bot goes hands-on with kids

Oh Probo, you've come so far. Just a few years back you were an cute little green fuzzy thing trying to make a name for yourself by partying the night away with geek celebrities. Now you're out in the wild, looking tired, sporting a wrinkled flannel covering, proboscis hanging dangerously low, and a pair of eyes that truly tell the tale of all you've been through. Those eyes and that schnoz are fully movable and programmable, and that touchscreen on the belly can be made to show children's tales of all sorts, but sadly Probo still can't give the one thing he was made for: hugs. Maybe in his quest for fame he lost a little bit of his purpose along the way -- maybe it's for the best.

[macgregger Posted Apr 22nd 2009 8:29AM]

i can't quite put my finger on it, but something about this just seems so wrong...

[000000 Posted Apr 22nd 2009 9:24AM]

Don't be puttin any fingers on anything.

[OneLove Posted Apr 22nd 2009 9:37AM]

penis nose.

[Chad Posted Apr 22nd 2009 9:52AM]

Could they have picked a more terrible name?! I bet the snout doubles as an endoscope.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 22nd 2009 11:40AM]

And whats the deal with big brother in the background? That guy gives me the creeps.

[aughscreennames Posted Apr 22nd 2009 12:03PM]

It seems theyve taken a new direction with the show "Scared Straight"

[Argot Posted Apr 22nd 2009 12:50PM]

Mad props to the engadet photoshop squad! :)

[looselycoupled Posted Apr 23rd 2009 2:33PM]

sorry, but I had to jack this thread...

"proboscis hanging dangerously low"

[looselycoupled Posted Apr 23rd 2009 2:34PM]

Woops, it cut my post off

BEST phrase used in an Engadget post thus far in 2009 : "proboscis hanging dangerously low "

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 22nd 2009 8:30AM]

"why don't you have a seat right there. so why are you here??"

[000000 Posted Apr 22nd 2009 9:22AM]

Haha that is hilarious. Not the actual subject but the paraphrasing.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 22nd 2009 10:27AM]

Probo's about to get got!

- vicechan

[PedoJokerBear Posted Apr 22nd 2009 8:33AM]

"dude...why are u choking me...."

[DustinM Posted Apr 22nd 2009 8:36AM]

So it's a green Alf?

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 22nd 2009 9:24AM]

Thats what I was thinking.

[magallanes Posted Apr 22nd 2009 9:44AM]

Remember Alf? Hes back! In pog form!

:-P

[nighttime Posted Apr 22nd 2009 8:37AM]

nonchalant honk

[Agenor Posted Apr 22nd 2009 8:38AM]

uhhh that dude in the suit looks pretty creepy...

[nighttime Posted Apr 22nd 2009 8:43AM]

hi 13/f/cali wanna chat?

[RandallLind Posted Apr 22nd 2009 8:46AM]

The guy in the suit is Chris Hansen from Dateline:"To catch a Predator". So does Probo prey on kids?

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 22nd 2009 8:43AM]

probo = pedo with a simple trim on the r and flip of the b

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 22nd 2009 8:44AM]

good stephen king cannon ball here. ancient spawn of radioactive spot in africa, or some such thing. who's the 'shopped in doosh?

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 22nd 2009 8:48AM]

That doosh is Chris Hanson from Dateline "To Catch a Predator".

[nemuro Posted Apr 22nd 2009 9:01AM]

Gotta buy one for your kid, look at the one in the left, he looks overwhelmed with joy.

[Vicada Posted Apr 22nd 2009 9:08AM]

Wow, he seems so bored with his job. He looks like he gulped down a couple of vodkas last night and is meeting the kids with a terrible hangover.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 22nd 2009 9:09AM]

Wow, that's a huge.... nose.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 22nd 2009 6:01PM]

That's not a nose!!

[somethingsomething Posted Apr 22nd 2009 9:16AM]

He kind of looks like Trumpy from The Pod People...

Oh Probo, you can do magic things!

[jakekjohnson Posted Apr 22nd 2009 11:31AM]

He's definitely rockin' some Orphan Annie eyes...
I wonder if he can dance on the ceiling.

[keyser Posted Apr 22nd 2009 9:16AM]

What's that thing hanging down between Probo's legs?!?
Oh, it's just a tail. Nevermind.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 22nd 2009 9:16AM]

LOL@Chris Hanson sneaking in.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 22nd 2009 9:17AM]

Really? They couldn't come up with a better name for a children's robot than "Probo"? Wow.

[bakedbeans6 Posted Apr 22nd 2009 9:38AM]

Probo = Probe Robot?

[rocketman lalala Posted Apr 22nd 2009 9:56AM]

Probe-o
"When you need to probe your kids, but still want them to love you"

[Naoki7 Posted Apr 22nd 2009 9:20AM]

All 3 of those kids look incredibly uncomfortable to be anywhere near that thing. I would be too. Chris Hanson only makes the image that much more perfect.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 22nd 2009 9:51AM]

It's a puppet of a green ant-eater with Downs. How huggable :(

[SOOPERGOOMAN Posted Apr 22nd 2009 10:12AM]

I bet that kid on the far left causes alot of trouble, you can tell by the sly smirk on his face and the nose grab.

[aquatiger Posted Apr 22nd 2009 10:13AM]

First Kid: "Gimme 5 bucks and I'll rip this f**king duck's nose off"
2nd Kid: "That's not a duck."
First Kid: "F**k you."

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 22nd 2009 10:45AM]

The looks on the kids faces says it all...

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 22nd 2009 10:57AM]

That has to be Engadget's best pic I've seen! Great job throwing Chris Hansen in the background!!! LMAO!!!

[pheodra Posted Apr 22nd 2009 11:00AM]

Those Belgians should stick to Beer and Chocolate ;)

[mpeters13 Posted Apr 22nd 2009 11:37AM]

LOL. Life is so good, sometimes.

[jakekjohnson Posted Apr 22nd 2009 11:35AM]

ROWYCO

[cheto Posted Apr 22nd 2009 11:48AM]

hahahha no way whats the guys from MSNBC doing there? looking to capture some child molesters? lol

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 22nd 2009 12:01PM]

as amazing as it may be. that title does not sound too good.

[MGreenwood Posted Apr 22nd 2009 12:13PM]

Heck with Probo.. I'm concerned about that guy in the back.. How does he fit into this picture....

[MGreenwood Posted Apr 22nd 2009 12:20PM]

Ok.. I just clicked on the link to the Probo Site and that creepy guy is not in the original picture.. Hmmmmmm.. a Mystery is brewing..

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 22nd 2009 1:15PM]

Ugh, I bet Probo is pissed. Chris Hansen always ruins everyone's fun.

[stridermt2k Posted Apr 22nd 2009 1:20PM]

I smell a mystery!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2namHzxp6Sk

[The Fink Posted Apr 22nd 2009 3:15PM]

that thing's nose looks like a kock.