<
https://gizmodo.com/resisting-the-urge-to-pet-panasonics-farting-robot-sock-1846252962>
"In a time when even basic human interactions are discouraged for safety
reasons, there’s an even greater demand for alternate sources of companionship.
But if you’re not ready for the responsibilities of a dog or a cat, Panasonic
has introduced yet another companion robot that dutifully pays attention to you
through bouts of flatulence—just like a real pet.
Nicobo isn’t easy to describe; it’s as if someone flipped a bowl over, gave it
some animated eyes, a wagging tail, and then wrapped it in an old sock. It has
no ability to loco-mote—it won’t come when you call it—but it’s attached to a
moving base so that it can turn from side to side and look up and down.
Co-developed with robotics researchers from the Toyohashi University of
Technology Michio Oka Laboratory, Nicobo also includes a camera for recognizing
faces, multiple directional microphones for recognizing voices and turning to
pay attention, touch sensors so it knows when it’s being touched or hugged, and
a light sensor so that like a cat it can enjoy a nap in bright sunlight."
Via Esther Schindler.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
