Meet Valerie, the domestic android

[lullabi]

Wow ... [:O]

[Nick]

It is a pretty interesting website. I do appreciate the reference there to the importance of the imagination. The android reminds me of an old Twilight Zone tv episode where this couple had a daughter. Later in the show you realize that the daughter was an android all along. [:O]

[James S]

So, I wonder who's the more gullable - Gizmo for thinking they will be able to sell a store mannequin as an "andriod" that can do all these things, or the buyers who believe it?

Currently Sony have the lead in the robot development race with their QRIO robot:


But considering its the size of a small child, as yet doesn't have a price tag except for an estimated $40k US, and....it doesn't do windows.[] I think Valerie is still firmly in the realm of the Brian Aldiss novel made movie - AI: Artificial Intelligence.
But by then she probably WILL be able have sex.[]

[]
James.

[lullabi]

So Valerie isn't real? [] aww.

[Anonymous]

Interesting that they create a "female" first.

[James S]

quote:Originally posted by EnderWiggin

Interesting that they create a "female" first.

Hehehe...
Think about the average robotics / computer design engineer that would dream up something like Valerie -
male, nerd, socially clumsy, desparately in need of female equivalent.

Just imagine if they end up giving this Android a little too much AI - nerdy designer tries to get it on with the robot and she turns him down flat  - "I've got a date with the hair dryer tonight!"

[]
James.

[Squeek]

AH!  On the subject of personal robots...

PERSOCONS!

Nobody here has seen "Chobits"?  It's another anime (from Japan...duh) featuring some farmer dude who moves to Tokyo to cram for a test to get into Tokyo University.  Apparently this is the future and almost everybody has one of these devices.  Also, they cost more if not the same than these... EXPENSIVE!

1

2


1 is the star of the show.  I can't say anymore than that or I remove the entire plot.
2 are miniature models or travel models.

Note the ears.  That's where stuff plugs in... like A/V jacks or data transfer.

AAhhh off on a tangent again.  I'd not recommend watching Chobits if you're 16- years old.  It's not BAD it's just... 16-  .

[Jenadots]

I want one -- to clean everything in the house, iron clothes, do windows, cook meals, wash floors, vacuum, change beds, re-pot the plants, clean out the closets, cabinets, and garage...you know all the usual spring cleaning stuff...

But I want it to drive - to drive me to work and home so I can sleep some more in the back seat and de-stress.  I even want it to swear at the other AI's and humans who do jerky things on the road.[]

I want it to do the grocery shopping and all the other errands I barely find time for and to wait in lines for me.  

If it was smart enough,  I would send it out on a night job to bring home an extra paycheck too.  Maybe it could stock shelves at Walmart and pay for itself.

So where are those garage inventors and tinkerers when we all need them?  Get off the internet and get busy!

Someday, we might actually have this kind of household help.
Now that is real freedom.  Freedom from drudgery and an extra paycheck too.

Can't wait...Jena[]

[James S]

Ahhh...I've said it before and I'll say it again....

BRING BACK ASTRO-BOY!!!

[sahlyn]

Hehehe, I was waiting for someone to bring up the sex thing. Very perceptive, James[] It's hilarious thinking about some computer nerd trying to chat up his android, in hopes of getting lucky[]

As for whether Valerie will actually be real (able to do the things they say), it wouldn't surprise me at all. Plus it's not a project developed by Gizmo, it's by the leading developers in the android industry, and is found listed at http://androidworld.com

I guess time will tell. And come Christmas, those who have ordered one will find out whether or not she's reliable. I say as long as they don't let Bill Gates mess with the programing, they may actually have a chance at pulling this off.

Astro Boy Rules! I used to watch that all the time[]

Check out the link for a list of the most advanced robots available today. It includes the sony one, but it looks asthough the honda one is more advanced.

[Nick]

Yes its real...there is a robot marketplace...r2d2 anyone?


http://www.robotmarketplace.com/

[sahlyn]

I did a bit of searching through my bookmarks and found this site that I discovered a long time ago.

http://www.internationalrobotics.com/iaapapres.html#anthrobot

Just imagine how much mischief you could get up to with this robot[]
I want one.

[Nagual]

Why didn't they make a smiling one???  Something like this: []
Hum... might be annoying after a few hours in fact...
And, talking about sex, it reminds of the "famous" RealDolls (NOT FOR KIDS!).  []

[SmileySpirit14]

she looks way too freaky...



(im terrified of robots)

[Nay]

Here's my favorite Android..!!!



Nay []

[SmileySpirit14]

UGH! thats going to give me nightmares, nay! androids are not a good idea...plus, just hiring regular maids and butlers are a lot cheaper!

[Nay]

Awwwwwwww how can you say that Smiley, Data is adorable!!

Nay []

[Kazbadan]

Haveou ever read "Foundation", from Isaac Asimov?

It is a great book! An excelent SciFi book, in wich there is an android controlling the humanity on a subtle way.

[sahlyn]

I remember a thread that happened here not too long ago discussing the idea of summoning fairies or other spirits to do your housework. Well, thanks to technology, there's another option one could consider (that is if you have an extra $59,000 lying around).

Check it out.

http://www.gizmo.com.au/public/News/news.asp?articleid=2545

Your own personal robot to do all of your housework. Now that is cool.




Valerie will be on sale by Christmas this year.

What Valerie will be able to do:
Muscle movements equal to a person.
Understand spoken commands (in several languages)
Speak to you in English (or several other languages)
Remember previous conversations with you.
Remember a daily list of chores to be done.
Perform household chores such as:
Cleaning
Clearing the table
Changing light bulbs
Doing laundry
Dusting
Lift and carry things up to 50 pounds
Picking up things
Putting things away
Painting
Setting the table
Sweeping
Washing dishes
Vaccuuming
Access the internet to do such things as:
Check stock prices
Check sports scores
Find information for you
Book plane tickets for you
Find addresses or phone numbers
Find directions
Call police in an emergency.
Call the fire department in case of fire.
Dress or undress herself.
Have a sense of touch all over like people do.
 
What Valerie will NOT be able to do:
Eat or drink
Breathe
Perform other bodily functions.
Hurt people (Asimov's first law)
Have sex.
Put her head under water.
Take any water or other liquids into her head or mouth.
Drive a car (because she can't go outside).
Run a lawn mower (because she can't go outside).
Physical actions which people cannot do.
Sleep

It's interesting to think about what may come of this world as AI (Artificial Intelligence) becomes more mainstream and more advanced. It got me thinking of the whole matrix storyline -how the machines eventually took over.

"You're living in a dreamworld, Neo"

Either way, I think Valerie would be awesome to have around the house[]