I saw ASIMO on TV this morning. ASIMO is Honda's walking robot and like the PINO toy ageing in my attic, is now ten years old. As I watch him/her/it walking up and down stairs and greet crowds with raised arms, I find myself feeling astonished and repulsed in equal measure. I can't explain this confusion as I have been a life-long fan of Asimov, Sci Fi, space and robots. Surely ASIMO is simply a further fabulous step for Mankind's ever-advancing technology? In some ways the word 'step' lies behind my dilemma. Somehow robots walking round like us and doing things we do is innately scary in a way perhaps that Chimps would be if they began to talk. Am I feeling threatened? Is this fear cultural or instinctive? Maybe I've seen too many movies like AI, Terminator and Matrix and can't avoid suspecting robot plots and cyberdine assassins! Surely a fear of machines is irrational but our struggle with them goes way back. But seeing ASIMO walking downstairs today, looking like an astronaut stepping off an Apollo lander, sent a shiver up my spine!
Isaac Asimov writes about that fear or unease in some of his short stories and novels. If Toad's memory serves her aright, "Caves of Steel" is a good example. So you are not alone in that feeling, Woodsy.
ReplyDeleteAsimo's pretty cute compared to this guy
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mclbVTIYG8E
... moving onto Terminator turf there.
Their big dog is also rather spooky in its ability to stay upright and carry on (see suggestions afterwards)
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Paul
That BigDog is really freaky Paul! I really dislike how the operators kick it, which is crazy - it's just a robot! Or is that Rodog?
ReplyDeleteWell, I think the general idea is to demonstrate the built-in stability of the thing. What gets me is the general movement which is pretty life-like, combined with the eerie way the legs are articulated. In all it doesn't come across as a dog of the faithful kind, but more of the dogged (sorry) pursuing tracker variety. Just imagine that thing armed and on the loose with your picture in its head... freaky indeed.
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Paul
thats what freaks me about the dog, the way it seems to be singlemindedly focussing on something, irrespective of the way it gets booted, its still going. Very terminator like. Its also the odd insectile movement coupled with the canine frame and apparent intelligence..
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