Re: Who Are They Kidding? [LWN.net]

Re: Who Are They Kidding?

Posted Apr 23, 2003 2:35 UTC (Wed) by Ross (subscriber, #4065)
In reply to: Who Are They Kidding? by ncm
Parent article: Human-Size Household Robot Developed on MontaVista Linux

I can't fully explain their fixation on robots, but I know that Honda said something about using it as advertising to show off the abilities of the company. Getting the robot to walk and climb stairs cetainly is impressive, though as you point out, I'm not sure if it's useful.

It also has a lot of research potential. Some of the balance, miniaturization, battery conservation, control, and AI advances can undoubtably be used in other products. Maybe it's actually more productive than pure research because of the added PR benefits :)

And Honda really does intend to sell these things as servants and companions in Japan and elsewhere. I don't think they have any delusions of them being as popular in the US as in Japan. The Japanese like tech gadgets more than just about any other group of people.

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