Nanodot | by MarkGubrud (gubrud@squid.umd.edu) on Wednesday November 29
Biped robots from Sony, Honda at Robodex 2000 Honda has demonstrated a humanoid robot. It's shaped roughly like a human; it walks, a bit limberly, balancing nicely on its feet. It raises its hands and turns its head. In one video, it even turns a wrench. In another, it shakes hands with a girl in a skirt. I wonder what it felt like, what she was thinking, when she shook hands with the robot.
Compared with average humans, Honda's robot is heavy, slow, and weak. It houses no breakthrough in artificial intelligence, and is controlled through a wireless ethernet link. It is a tour de force, a world-class marionette.
The P2 model runs for 15 minutes before its battery needs recharging. The new P3 runs for 25. No specification is given for the cost.