Santander's Group City in Madrid is a big place; nine buildings sheltering 5,500 employees of one of the largest banks in the world. Guiding visitors around such a massive complex is a challenge, and what's the best way to solve any challenge?
Robots, of course. Santander turned to YDreams, who we've seen before
playing with augmented reality, but in this case produced something more tangible: a fleet of little red guys called "Interactive Guest Assistants" that use swarm interactions to guide fat cat bankers to their next conference -- and maybe to face off against the evil Maximilian in a harrowing battle at the end of the movie. There's also a giant virtual wall full of boring financial information presented in fancy ways, even an augmented reality map of the complex, all shown in a video after the break. It's the bots we like the best, so we'll be ordering a gaggle to guide our own visitors -- to their doom.
posted April 7th 2010 8:08AM
I thought they were personal transportation devices.
@onlymyrailgun
LOL Me too.
@onlymyrailgun Same; at 1:14 I initially thought "how the hell are you supposed to fit in that".
@onlymyrailgun Because you didn't see them deployed. These are droidekas.
@onlymyrailgun
Yeah they need to move faster...what if someone is in a hurry?
@onlymyrailgun Because the photo has no size reference points, I thought the same.
@onlymyrailgun
Same here, the picture makes them appear much bigger than they are.
@onlymyrailgun
Just sit on the thing and hold on for life
yup.... me too. They should work on this next...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H5k--n7sFI
@onlymyrailgun In Spain people walk, that's why there aren't as many morbid obese people as in the States.
@heffeque Right, which is why in 2006 studies reported that at least 40% of Spain's population was obese. No, I completely agree, very healthy country, which is also why its the LEAST healthy Mediterranean country. So yes, Spain really is just jam packed with shirtless men flexing their abs. I'm glad we agree.
@mattmilone Well lets think about that 40% I am in Germany they say that over 50% are obese but the European definition of obese compared to the American version of obese is much different. Its like the clothes sizes some people wear XXL here but that would barely be a L in America. A American small is alot of times a European L so no people are no where near as Fat assed as in the States
And the new world order continues to flourish unabated...
You're telling me they had to come up with a Robot to guide people around and they DIDN'T use the Mouse Droids from Star Wars? What the hell man?
@Prevacator
Because Wookies won't like them.
@Prevacator
also there's that stupid thing of George Lucas liking money...
I was going to say Badass. But you cant get into them, What's up with that?
@biohazard43 But maybe, maybe there's still hope! Maybe you can pull out that red lid on the side and fit yourself in (providing it's not a Roomba's technology and there's no dust inside)! I mean, there's nothing that a determined customer can't do, right?
On a side note, when I see them near people they look too tempting to kick.
Oh my god! "IT"!
I want this for my house
Very awesome. One more step towards the future!
OMG, droidekas!
@Atkins
SOMEBODY out there should make one... I mean, come on, how hard is it? You just gotta make them unfold, walk, lock on to target, fire those lasers and put up a shield when the Jedi deflect those beams.
I'm counting on Jobs and his Apple Federation.
I live 2 miles away from that complex...
Do I have a reason to be scared Engadget?
Big Time Banking is obviously Big Time Profitable.
Wonder what even ONE of those robots cost.
@Freakin Ijit
Ya really, there's one bank that doesn't need a bailout. Just like the rest of them.
Combine with a Roomba, and clean/polish the floor at the same time! :)
woah wait you can't get in them? aw..
They're still pretty cool i guess
This is what Engadget use to be all about! Near/Distant future technology! Please keep up articles like this and stop trying to be like that other guy "Gizgadget". This whole iPad debacle is truly annoying to a point where Apple doesn't need to pay for marketing or advertisement any longer.
@tovopro
hear hear!
@tovopro
Thanks for being the one to bring up the iPad in something completely unrelated. Can't wait to get mine!
So how bout that multitouch?
@tovopro Here's a paragraph that Tim forgot to add: That wall is like a giant iPad, or like thousands of iPads working in sync. And that stand where you enter desired location must have an iPad in it.
I always got annoyed at having to blast these things in MegaMan.
Maybe you can just sit on them:P
signs to show you the way: 100$
robot armada that shows you the way: 10.000.000$
archiving world domination: priceless
I haven't seen these outside of the Death Star.
If they were white, they'd make me want to ask the bank's computer to open the pod bay doors.
During the arms rush between the Tortoises and the Hares, everyone forgot about the Snails.
Enter the Megatron
Very cool tech, but just shows you that banks make entirely too much money along with the bankers that run them.
"Lord vader, these Droidekars are getting out of hand".
That is magical!
@cherryboom
I know!! Tron, is that you?
Awsome! I want one >.
Mr Stevens, I applaud your use of gaggle!
@tkuhl87 Thanks! I just wish someone had picked up on the Black Hole reference...
I've never heard of this place but I really want to go there now. It's like THE FUTURE!
I thought I was in future for a sec... but then had to come back to dull reality.
I wonder if these are the same robots that are wardialing me on an hourly basis since Santander bought out HSBC's auto loan business?
I wonder if they're bazooka-proof?
My only question is ... why does Engadget still use Flash for videos? Isn't this supposed to be a tech site?