CB2 Child Robot is possibly the most disturbing machine ever built
Imagine if someone, somewhere managed to find the exact formula for producing the most perfectly awful example of the uncanny valley (say, for a horror movie or something). Now, accept the fact that this organization is the Japanese Science and Technology Agency, and that they managed to produce the most disturbing machine you've ever seen, without even realizing it. The 33 kilogram CB2 is literally beyond words in its freakiness, not only in its nailing of the uncanny valley, but in its description. Apparently it emulates "the physical ability of a 1- or 2-year-old toddler, can turn over and stand up with assistance," has 51 compressed air-powered actuators, and has 200 tactile sensors in its "skin." It sends so many shivers up our spine to think of the CB2's lifeless putty coating as "skin" that it's a wonder we're even able to continue typing. Seriously, just so that we can stop and move onto something else a little more human (heck, even a motherboard feels homely next to this), go check out the video after the break of the horrifying little thing writhing about on the floor.
The cuteness of beagles is too much. It should be illegal!
Yeah, but those pictures are the perfect antidote to the freakish robo-child in the previous post....
Easies clock to read evah!
It's pretty awesome, if you're like me and like weird clocks and timepieces....
Thanks tommy and Jesse. I mostly feel exhausted, because I only slept between 3:30 and 5:30. I also never want to eat or drink anything ever again. Ever.
I love this picture of me and Grace and lori. I love that I got to hold their wee hands. Both of them love to be touched and squishy hugs.
I'm afraid that picture reminds me of this weird thing: [link]
Also, I love that clock.
Happy birthday, Dana!
Is shrift writing a porn for you?
It won't be ready today, but it's certainly on order.
Stephanie, thank you so much for posting these pictures here.
Allyson, you too.
t meMeME
My best friend is leaving tonight for the USA for two years, with her two boys (2.5 and 6 months old), who are the closest thing I have to nephews. Yesterday I spent half the day taking care of them and helping her pack. Then I had to run to the university to teach, and had to leave. I ran to catch a bus, in order to arrive to my lesson on time, while she was on the phone, running the 1,717 errand of the day. So I just knocked on her door, waved her a quick and silent goodbye, and left.
Today she's so busy, I can't even find out whether she needs me to come over there and help her now or not. I miss her so much already, it's silly. I'm not going to go to the airport - it's going to be full of family members, both hers and her DH's, including lots of kids and mess. I'm not going to be able to say goodbye to anybody properly this way anyway. She said I shouldn't come, and I think she's right.
And, frankly, nowadays, with the internet (especially Skype and the like), I'm really going to talk to her soon. And it won't even sound like she's on the other side of the world, too. And even if she were the person for mushy conversations, she's so busy and tired now, that they won't work anyway, you know?
And it's not a thing that requires comforting or brackets or even chocolate (well, not more than anything else in life, which is quite a lot, by definition, if you're me, but still). It's a good thing - a wonderful opportunity and I'm sure they'll get so much from it, both the grownups and the children. And it's not going to be easy on them, but I know them and trust them - they're going to be completely OK, you know?
But all these mature and reasonable words can't make me stop wishing I could smell A's baby-head just one more time and have that little thing - even that - make him shine with his smile, or take N to the park and have him ask me to watch him while he's on the slide, for just one more round.
t I'm not even going to pretend that this meMeME thing is going to be closed anytime today
So, um, that's why I especially appreciate adorable baby-and-toddler pictures today.
I am so thoroughly creeped out right now...take a night of disturbing dreams and cap it with the robot link and then those hands? I want a do over, but am too scared to put in an order.
