|
HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
 Posted - 02/18/2012 : 03:37:40
|
It seems this Microsoft robotics guy has a little dog which is left at home since he and his wife both work.
So (betcha this won't blindside you folks) the Microsoft guy builds a robot through which, via the Internet, the guy can keep the dog "company." (Actually I don't consider a remotely-operated device like this a real robot, but that's an attitude I have from a lifetime of reading both good and bad science fiction. But no matter.)
Grrrrrrrr....
Here's the "Gajitz" article and video.
Somewhat good intentions, doubtless. The results? Not so good, in my opinion. The dog doesn't even come into the room when called through the robot's speakers, but waits until he hears kibbles actually hitting the floor. The pooch does chase and retrieve a ball when one is thrown. He sits on command. All the while, the dog never gets very close to the rather menacing robot.
To me, this is all geekery at its creepiest worst. Aside from the ball-chasing exercise provided -- and the kibbles to negate the exercise -- the dog gets bugger-all out of the robot. Certainly not companionship. Just the hulking presence of that thing with wheels and claws (when and if Daddy has time to remotely trundle it about).
I suggest several possible alternatives to this breakthrough technology:
1. Take the dog to a doggie daycare.
2. Bring the dog to work.
3. Hire Suria the orangutan to give the dog some activity and genuine affection.
4. Give the poor mutt to someone who actually likes dogs more than scary machines, and has the time, inclination and basic humane spirit to be able to treat them as respected companions. |
Maybe Microsoft has in mind something like this to solve the demographics of the care of old people. That's especially scary to me.
|
“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
Edited by - HalfMooner on 02/18/2012 07:19:50
|
|
Microserf builds robositter for dog. Dog: "Meh."
