Toyota: Household Robots by 2010

By Nate Mook | Published May 31, 2005, 11:56 AM

A report in Tokyo's Asahi daily newspaper says Toyota is endeavoring to start selling robots that can work in the home by 2010. The robots would primarily be designed to help the elderly, but could even serve tea to guests or take care of household chores.

Toyota joins a number of companies, including rival Honda, looking at a future in robotics. The automaker says a slowing birthrate and an aging population has led to a demand for robots that can handle child and nursing care, as well as other more basic tasks. Toyota plans to establish a committee that would develop technology for the robots.

Comments

Jane!!...Stop this crazy thing!!!

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Absolutely brilliant! I love it!

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You don't need a robot for childcard, just a big cardboard box.

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Childcare, huh? Sounds like the human race DESERVES extinction.

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Has there ever been any doubt?

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Well, if you're not joking, I imagine you two (mjm01 + TomasF) don't realize that you mean, therefore, that the purpose of the human race is simply breeding and nursing. Just like goats, cows and kangaroos.

Sorry guys, but some of us are aware that the human race is gifted with reason and a working mind (granted, that doesn't include nihilists 'the-human-race-shall-die' such as yourself), and just because your ideal of the human condition is some sort of pre-stone age state of bare survival doesn't mean we should regress with you.

Compared to you all bitter human haters, I'd take robots anytime...

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@ Planet.Of.Wounds
Humans have, apart from what you call "reason" and a "working mind", a dignity and identity. I cannot see myself reflected on a robot, even if it is the smartest of them all. I wouldn't say the whole point of humanity is reproduction either. There are values a robot can't teach.
I see you believe flawlessly on science and tech can solve any problems humans have but if that was true we would live in a "Brave New World".
Who are you calling "human haters"? You should call yourself that, otherwise you wouldn't have this blind believe in robots.
I think humanity has reached the point were we believe in science just like monks and priests believed in god in medieval times.

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Take me to your leader... BbVVVRTTTT

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Think one could do my grocery shopping =)

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And BETANEWS is posting this because...? Doesn't matter...heh negative score so nobody knows I'm here anyway ;)

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Hah!

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Whew hew, send me my vodka martini making robot!!!

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"By mjm01010101 posted May 31, 2005 - 6:17 PM

Childcare, huh? Sounds like the human race DESERVES extinction. "

i agree.....i think its ok to make life easier for ourselves, but not so much that would make us incompetant if something goes wrong. childcare is the one thing that we shouldnt use machines for. the children learn to raise children and social behavior from parenting..if thats done by robots then yeh, human race deserves to go extinct.

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mmm...yeah. Cuz we've been doing such a great job of it lately....

I'll be the first to admit, having robots raise our children brings to mind images from the Matrix and cyberpunk, but could they actually do a worse job of it than we seem to be doing now?

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