WiFi Finder
Locate wireless services by a specific address, city, state, country, airport, or zip code.
Sony Shows Off High-Tech Healing Ball
Device is designed to foster an emotional connection between humans and robots, but is that even possible?
Martyn Williams, IDG News Service
YOKOHAMA, JAPAN -- Demonstrating some of the freedom that its engineers and designers are given, Sony unveiled prototypes of a spherical "healing creature" Wednesday evening on the eve of the Robodex 2002 exhibition of robots.
The device, named Q-Taro, is around 6.7 inches in diameter and weighs just over 2 pounds, says Sony. It consists of a clear outer shell within which is a colored ball. The ball has several different areas that glow with varying intensities of light and is also home to audio and infrared sensors.
Sony says the device was developed to foster an emotional connection between humans and robot technology. The infrared sensors can detect the presence of a person and bring the Q-Taro to life while audio sensors enable it to roll around the floor in time to music. The glowing lights can help it show "emotions," says Mina Naito, a spokesperson for Sony. It will also sense the presence of objects and people to avoid running into them.
Close, But No Aibo
Cute it may be, but the Q-Taro is no Aibo, the Sony-developed robotic pet currently on the market.
It was developed by the company's personal audio division, the same people who make the Walkman portable music players, and not Sony's entertainment robot division. And while it can react to up to 10 different words, the level of technology inside the Q-Taro is a world away from Aibo or the company's latest humanoid robot, the SDR-4X, which was unveiled last week and was also on show Wednesday evening.
Sony says it has no plans to commercialize the Q-Taro at present.
- Sponsored Resource:Improve your network with the right mix of features, performance and pricing.
- Sponsored Resource:Growing your business requires the right tools. Dell's networking servers can help.
- Sponsored Resource:Thinking about a new Laptop? Lenovo has models to meet everyone's needs.
- Sponsored Resource:Twitter: A how-to guide for using Twitter as a business tool.
- Sponsored Resource:Smartphone security threats are on the rise. Is it time to safegaurd your device?
Print 65% more pages than with refilled inks. Trust Original HP Inks. Hit Print Reliably.
Laptop Showcase
Solve Tech Issues Fast
Featured APC Accessories For Your System
10% Off Entire Cart at Online Store
-
APC Back-UPS ES Safeguards your equipment from damaging surges and spikes that travel along your utility & data lines.
-
APC SurgeArrest Performance Highest level of protection for your professional computers, electronics and connected devices, as well as provides surge protection.
People who read this also read:
Best Prices on Security Software
Norton Internet Security 2009 - 1 User/3 PCPrice: $29.97
Norton Internet Security 2009 - 1 User/1 PCPrice: $15.95
Norton 360Price: $25.00
Internet Security 2009Price: $15.99
Norton Internet Security 2009 - 1 User/3 PC, Small BoxPrice: $20.50
Internet Security 2009Price: $24.95
-
Cisco Small Business Center Find out how to keep employees mobile, connected and productive with secure wireless networking.
-
Dell Servers for Small Business Click here to see how a Dell server can help you back up your company's data and save you valuable time.
