Comments on: Video: Itzhak Perl-bot

By: 8ddd23093a7fe65848a6

8ddd23093a7fe65848a6 — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 10:56:41 +0000

8ddd23093a7fe65848a6…

8ddd23093a7f…

By: Guardian

Guardian — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 00:14:41 +0000

I switched careers a couple of months ago. I started working as a Field Service Engineer on robotic woodworking machinery or, as I call it, a traveling robot repairman. I’m just now getting a handle on it so I’m no expert but from what I do know, that is some really impressive programming. Movement on so many axis combined with intentional weight shift and reaction is pretty impressive to me. To maintain positioning, stroke and consistent pressure during the bow movements and keeping the bow on the proper string at the right time and direction must have been a real programming chore. There is a lot of stuff happening very precisely to play like that that.

By: BL@KBIRD

BL@KBIRD — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 23:16:55 +0000

It would play any piece exactly the same over and over and over with all the talent of whoever enters the data. I doubt the plan is robot musicians.

I’m sure the instrument is fixed precisely and it cannot compensate if the violin moves the least. It’s a neat trick but nothing earthshaking.

It’s true application is what would be interesting but it’s probably too mundane to do on stage for an audience.

By: liquidflorian

liquidflorian — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 19:38:30 +0000

… or start playing DragonForce tunes.

By: liquidflorian

liquidflorian — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 19:32:44 +0000

I was hopping it would start humping things….

By: CTDeLude

CTDeLude — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 19:04:58 +0000

The Japanese have there own problems with the aging population considering they don’t really have enough people to care for them. That combined with their incredibly strict immigration policies make them somewhat in a bind. A bind they’re trying to answer with robots. And thus these demonstrations come forth to show just what robotic technology can be capable of (in this case fine tuned motor skills of the hand). You’ll notice that a number of Japanese robotic research is dedicated to machines that “assist” in one form or another.

This is their future and this is what they’re banking on. Think of it as our version of trying to save Social Security.

By: Attila (Pillage Idiot)

Attila (Pillage Idiot) — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 18:25:40 +0000

Four year old on Suzuki method.

By: Weebork

Weebork — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 17:48:12 +0000

Just what we need, a robotic Kenny G!

By: Annoying Old Guy

Annoying Old Guy — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 17:36:10 +0000

Yes. This is just like those big fashion shows, or Detroit concept cars. Nobody would buy the stuff actually on display (expect for obsessives with too much money). Instead, it’s a demonstration of themes / capabilities. A robot that can play a violin can also do a lot of other tasks that require a sensitive touch (like, washing my windows). In fact, it’s better from the manufacturer’s point of view to do something totally useless in the demo, so as to not exclude potential buyers with specific tasks in mind in order to attract the broadest possible set of clients.

By: rockbend

rockbend — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 16:59:02 +0000

The Devil went down to Toyota
Lookin’ for a job to steal…

Interesting? Yes. Impressive? Not so much.

By: Catseye

Catseye — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 16:55:07 +0000

I think the purpose of this demonstration is to show the improvement in “fine” motor skills technology. The same could potentially be used to improve artificial arms for amputees or defuse bombs where shotgunning them is not possible.

By: Nethicus

Nethicus — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 16:25:08 +0000

It was all nice and comfortable until it transformed into a Yugo and ran over half the audience.

By: inviolet

inviolet — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 16:12:04 +0000

That’s all well and good until these robots start flying the Toyota flag above Old Glory or breaking into your neighbor’s house to rob it (to steal medicine, which they use for fuel). James on December 7, 2007 at 10:22 AM

Or outbreeding us, which frankly demographically might not be too hard to do.

By: rivlax

rivlax — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:41:19 +0000

Well, it's no Vassar Clements.

By: James

James — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:22:43 +0000

Wuptdo on December 7, 2007 at 10:11 AM

That’s all well and good until these robots start flying the Toyota flag above Old Glory or breaking into your neighbor’s house to rob it (to steal medicine, which they use for fuel).

By: Wuptdo

Wuptdo — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:11:50 +0000

Though funny looking now, but that is the future of America. Remember the first IPods? Or Walkmans, Cassette Players, Reel to Reel, 8-Track, etc.

This my friends is the future. Look at it from the prospective of low wage/low skilled workers — picking lettuce, painting houses, mowing lawns, and maybe even wiping your parents butts in the nursing homes. Wow, would it be great just to replace a majority of the low wage/low skill workforce. Yes, human workers would be displaced, however, most of them are illegal, and they would go back to their countries of origin. A win/win for America.

By: Esthier

Esthier — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:09:48 +0000

I wasn’t that impressed with the robot’s talent.

It’s cool that it can play the violin at all, but that sounded like something you’d hear from a junior high kid who’s still learning how to play.

By: csdeven

csdeven — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:08:49 +0000

Dang! It’s about time AP! I thought you might be slipping.

By: saint kansas

saint kansas — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:06:44 +0000

Also, is this really the best use of this thing?

It’s almost guaranteed that they’ll find a way to leverage this technology into something more useful, like sex-bots.

By: Vizzini

Vizzini — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:00:03 +0000

How about hooking him up to an iPod and teaching him to crunk dance?

Word.

By: tickleddragon

tickleddragon — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 14:58:14 +0000

Sorry guys, I’m impressed. Not that it plays well, but my God folks, it plays…the violin. Won’t be long until it’s playing guitar, and better than most pop band guitarists.

By: inviolet

inviolet — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 14:32:30 +0000

the most spiritual art form

Allah didn’t just say that. Did he?

I agree howevah. Depressing to see a robot playing music.

What’s even more depressing is that these Japanese senior citizens should be being helped by their children and grandchildren, not these things, however technologically kewl.

By: saint kansas

saint kansas — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 14:27:49 +0000

the most spiritual art form

Dude, I’m gonna have to reconsider your atheist credentials.

Me, I wanna see a cage match between the Toyota robot and the Honda robot.

The winner takes on the American dude in the exoskeleton.

By: eeyore

eeyore — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 14:26:40 +0000

It's early on, AP. Five more years and you won't be able to tell the difference between the fiddlebot and Doug Kershaw.

By: RightWinged

RightWinged — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 14:26:03 +0000

Ugh, they showed this lame thing on Fox & Friends… sorry, I’d almost rather see that unbelievably obnoxious 80s pageant girl playing (on the trumpet) and acting out Star Wars.