"Japanese alarm company Sohgo Security Services Co. demonstrates the company's newly developed security robot 'Guardrobo D1' in Tokyo June 23, 2005. The robot, which is equipped with a fire extinguishing system, will be introduced into their security system within a year, company officials said. (Issei Kato/Reuters)"
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I wish they didn't have this national obsession with making their bots look cheap, plastic, and cutesy. Guardrobo looks like a larger version of something I'd find in the toy aisle at Target. An Aibo. And absolutely no titanium!
Looks more like a tellytubby, I reckon.
No "overlords" tag?
Seriously, I was totally expecting to see:
"I, for one, welcome our new robotic fire-extinguishing overlords."
But, the nod to Robocop was good, too.
What's with the Anime Buckingham Palace Guard-Type Grenadier person behind the copbot?
Japanese military full dress uniforms really look like that, but the red is not any of their national defense forces as far as I can google. It must be something akin to the National Guard.
I like the full-sized LCD on Guardrobo D1's chest. Maybe it will double as a browser. I wonder if the fire-extingusher arm gimball can be used as a trackstick.
Probably a fire brigade uniform. They have crazy full-Trumpton rigouts for all sorts of people, even the forestry service.
I'll wait until JWZ hacks it before I ask if I can have one to work security on Lift.
"I am sorry, but you seem to have been overserved. You must now accompany me outside where you will be allowed to purge your system of the alcohol and any foodstuffs you have ingested in the last 6 hours. You have 12 seconds to comply... You have 10 seconds to comply... you have 8 seconds to comply... begin ejection sequence... (whirring noise)... you have 4 seconds to comply... "
All security need to start wearing yellow blinky lights that can be activated when there is difficulty acquiring compliance.
In related news, psychotics make good security guards until the voices in their heads tell them to quit.
Stair climbing:
JPL urban robot, low center of gravity, fast
Grosse Pointe innovation, somewhat higher c.o.g.
Japanese stair-chair, stays level (heavier loads?)
PARC roundworm (impractical but cool)
New bouncer for the bar methinks.