Make a Little (Robot) Birdhouse in your Soul
New Scientist blogs:
MIT researcher Guy Hoffman has built the friendliest robotic desk-lamp since Pixar’s Luxo Jr.
Named AUR, the “collaborative lighting assistant” follows its human partner’s work habits, sets tone and mood, and, well, lights up the desk.
According to Guy, AUR “is aimed to evoke
a personal relationship with the human partner
without resorting to human-like features.”
Click the image below to watch a Flash video clip of AUR in action.
Link to the AUR site. (via The Register)
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Now if they can give that little robot some wheels!
How much fun would it be to have it follow you around, pointing at things?
Or lighting up your house, Scooby Doo Mystery style?
that is really cool, and it move really smooth too, but wouldn’t it be cheaper and easier just to have a light that illuminate the whole room instead of having a lamp follow you. still i like the idea
Sure, it’d be easier just to turn on the overhead light. But then what would he have written his thesis about.
Still, I’d love one for the office. Maybe with a robot voice.
Y’know though, I have to say I like the red lighting to indicate where-in-the-heck-I-put-my-car-keys? function
If you want to talk cheap, open your window blinds and sleep at night
This is just another ‘wow’ sorta thing, looks to me like an “I thought of the idea, now someone help me figure out what it’s best for” sort of thing
Neato. But what if it became an evil lamp? Which would shine in your face at random and shut off at the times it’s needed most.
These are important ethical considerations.
Its great when people build pointless and cool things
That’s an excellent thought. “Mine is an evil lamp!” It could tease you by staying on until just before you’re about to trip over the dog, then suddenly shut off. Perfect!
Actually I believe there are a few correspondence schools that offer a ‘training your lamp’ class. Actually if I could teach my lamp to aim at whatever I pointed at, it could add a dramatic flair to my “WHAT DID YOU DO ON THE FLOOR??!” shame speech to my dog, or grandparents, for that matter.