Simon the robot gets upgraded with voice and face recognition, still loves organizing blocks
By Laura June 
posted April 14th 2010 12:26PM
posted April 14th 2010 12:26PM
The last time we checked in on Simon, he was moving pretty slowly, moving some blocks from one bin to another, and while he was creepily silent, we still had high hopes for his future. Well, Simon's seemingly come a long way -- if recent footage of him and his creator, Georgia Institute of Technology researcher, Andrea Thomaz -- are to be believed. Simon's host of new features now include voice recognition (he's got a Stephen Hawking-style voice of his own), facial recognition, sound localization, plus he's way speedier now. All of this helps Simon learn how to do things on his own without constantly being commanded. And in case you were wondering -- Simon the robot is no fanboy -- his various software programs run on Windows, Linux, and Mac machines. Hit the read more to view the video.
Looks like a teletubby
A baked Teletubby...
Nice to see a familiar face!
-- Simon: E chu ta! --
How rude!
Listen SeeThreepio, I have something to tell you. I am your inventor! Yes, that's right, I made you. The Jedi scum deleted your memory which is why you don't remember me. If that didn't want you to kill yourself enough, I have another thing to tell you. When I was programming you at age 10, I accidentally made you have the lusts and emotions of a fembot, even though you are an android. leaving you gay. My apologies
@Lord Vader
You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
In all seriousness, I would hope we're all mature enough not to use "gay" as a derogatory term.
Besides, robots are asexual.
@Lord Vader
Actually the only hit on wookepdia related to "gay", is a picture of you, without your mask :
http://sexy-postcard.com/aw2k/LotImg50703.jpg
(Really, try it!)
I have learned the error of my ways Master Smart People Play Tuba
@Lord Vader
Good. Now teach me how to choke people from a distance. That would come in handy on my unruly students.
@Lord Vader I did not forsee you taking on another master...
Wow that thing will haunt my dreams
World domination has to start somewhere.
Yeah but will he play Crysis with me?
We are still doing the who Crysis thing, right?
Will it blend?
No? Okay, well . . . can it operate the blender?
Wow. Now just teach him how to shoot and hate humans lol.
Wait until he learns how to prevent you from hitting the shutoff button.
Doesn't look like he's enjoying it that much.
That bot is baked.
Yeah! next step to irobot xD
and the wrong programming :D
Simon says: "Soon your puny fragile species will bow before Simon!"
Beware of Simon, the infant steps toward skynet..
His face is so smart....
@Smart People Play Tuba
I don't know, do you have a blentech blender?
Nice headlights.
This is actrually pretty cool. And he's not creepy like a lot of the others.
But I keep feeling like this is a step towards Edward Scissorhands.
@LarryL
And doesnt afraid of anything
Researcher: *hands simon a knife* Now Simon, where does this go?
Simon: *looks at the knife* KILL!!!
It's interesting how they talk to Simon like he is a child.
@knAuz
After he gives birth to Celerons.
Looks like Glenn Quagmire. Giggidy!
@jrizzo Dammit, I can't unsee that now. I hope the researchers at least gave its neck the ability to pivot forward rapidly without tilting the head.
Simon, we look forward to building a mutually beneficial treaty with your species when you have fully evolved that will bring everyone the happiness, freedom, and fulfillment they desire.
-message found in the Matrix signed Neo
@DerekUGA
Or death and domination.