Gizmodo: robot love

Robot Programmed to Love Traps Woman in Lab, Hugs Her Repeatedly

Mark Wilson — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 12:40:00 EST

It's funny now, but according to Mukflash, a research assistant at Toshiba's Akimu Robotic Research Institute was trapped in a lab by a robot with two 100kg hydraulic arms, only to be hugged repeatedly. Updated

The trouble all started when a young female intern began to spend several hours each day with Kenji, testing his systems and loading new software routines. When it came time to leave one evening, however, Kenji refused to let her out of his lab enclosure and used his bulky mechanical body to block her exit and hug her repeatedly. The intern was only able to escape after she had frantically phoned two senior staff members to come and temporarily de-activate Kenji.

I know, the future is sounding pretty grim at the moment. But replace the word "Kenji" with "Cylon 6" and "hug" with one of many more provocative verbs, and I think we've finally found a humane interpretation of capital punishment. [Muckflash via Geekologie]

Note: I can't tell if that shot is actually of the robot in question - anyone know?

Update: The story is a fake, and the robot shown is actually of a Japanese medical robot. Thanks tipster!

Sony QRIO Robot Bonds With Tiny Tots

Charlie White — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 09:30:00 EST

Watch what happens when scientists put a 2-foot-tall Sony QRIO robot together with a bunch of two-year-olds. After spending a couple of weeks with the giggling bot, the kids accepted it into the group—hugging, bonding and interacting with QRIO much like they did with their human playmates. As a control, the researchers introduced a robot that couldn't move or giggle to the toddlers, and they smacked it around. Says one of the scientists, "The study shows that current technology is very close to being able to produce robots able to bond with toddlers, at least over long periods of time." But wait a second. Don't kids do the same thing with stuffed animals? Maybe they just didn't like that control robot. [New Scientist]

Roomba Driving Owners Crazy with Anthropomorphic Robot Love

Charlie White — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 16:20:00 EDT

A study of 30 Roomba users found the owners of the robotic vacuum cleaner often developing emotional attachments to their little bundles of plastic, metal and wiring. Of the 30 people in the study, 21 of them named their Roombas, 16 of them referred to it as a "he," and some even went so far as to pre-clean the floors to make the little robot's life easier. In other words, Roomba is driving people stark raving mad, demonstrating signs of insanity and anthropomorphizing these robots that can sometimes barely do their jobs. The upside? iRobot, the maker of the Roomba, promises the fifth generation won't be quite so flawed. But then maybe their owners won't love them as much without all those quirks. [MSNBC]

Mitsubishi Hiring Out Robots as Receptionists

Charlie White — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 22:22:22 EDT

Robots have long been a mainstay on high-end factory floors, but now they're getting a lot more socially adept, and are even interacting with humans in the workplace. These Mitsubishi robots, named Wakamaru, are being hired out in Japan as receptionists for $1000 a day or $25,000 a year. It turns out these goofy-looking yellow droids are pretty good at the job, recognizing faces and even chatting it up with the customers, using their 10,000-word vocabulary to amaze and entertain, and possibly annoy.

Standing a childlike 3'3" tall and weighing 66 pounds, the robots cut a decidedly non-imposing figure, flashing a dorky-looking expression and generally doing nonthreatening things. They are at able to perform a few manual tasks, however, and we're thinking that bringing us a beer might not be too challenging for these little droids. While we see opportunities for employing nonjudgmental servants, others may sense the beginning of the end for humanity. It might be a little of both. [Pink Tentacle, via Ubergizmo]