Jan 05
While a lot of people have been wondering if they want a Ps3 or a Wii, I’ve been wondering if I want a Wii or Pleo. I’ve finally decided. It’s going to be Pleo. It’s not that I’m against the idea of standing in front of my television and flailing my arms like a madman …
Mar 17
I saw on my trusty stat counter that a bunch of people are coming here looking for Robo-Carp. I did a post on a different Robo-Carp in January. So I figured I’d update with info about the new one. That is, after all, what they must be looking for. But Boing Boing and Pink Tentacle …
Feb 24
There’s always been some debate about what actually constitutes intelligence in a machine or even a person. But this debate has been totally ignored by the marketing of GUPI, who is boldly described as an “Intelligent Robot Guinea Pig.” One could say that guinea pigs are not intelligent creatures but they would be very wrong. …
Feb 22
Robotic pets aren’t just for fighting iguana Zanta anymore. They also make great companions for old people. University of Missouri researchers have found that “levels of the stress hormone cortisol dropped among adults who, for several minutes, petted AIBO, Sony’s dog-shaped robot that responds when stroked, chases a ball and perks up when it hears …
Feb 18
When Pleo finally comes out I’m going to buy him. He’s a cute little dino bot pet and he’ll cost about two hundred dollars. A good deal. How could I not buy him? But Pleo is not the last word in dinosaur robots. Oh no. Not by a long shot. What I really want are …
Jan 27
It’s a sad day. Although he has been a loyal companion, AIBO is being put to sleep. By March there will be no more AIBOs produced. Sony’s V.P. told us in a press conference that AIBO was just going to a farm and that he’d be much happier there. I wanted to believe him but …
Jan 18
When people picture robots they often think of big metal, Dalek type jobbies. (I know I do.) But, quite often, they are small and furry. What they lose by not looking evil, they gain by looking dead. In another fine example of the Uncanny Valley, we have NeCoRo built by Omron. This cat cannot walk …
Jan 13
If my consumption of seafood and a recent study are any indication, it won’t be long before we empty out the oceans of real fish. Fine, I say. Real fish smell and when I was a kid I was attacked by a bass. If anyone thinks that I’m gonna advocate the safety of a cowardly …
Dec 29
Is Leonardo a dog? A mogwai perhaps? Is he even cute or would you beat this thing to death with a blunt object? Well, I don’t know. But I can tell you this: Leonardo is a robot. Wired magazine says that “Leonardo can grab objects, make facial expressions and complex gestures, and even learn simple …
Dec 23
These cuddly little fellows might look real but don’t be fooled. Then again: “Real thing? Real with everyone sees and makes a mistake the cat ち ゃ it is” These pseudo cats won’t leave you to go scratching around in their litter and then come back with dusty, poo paws but they still find time …
