Saturday, September 15, 2007

Zenophobe

Zeno, a robot boy created by David Hanson, is scary as hell. Let's be honest.

David named the damn thing after his real 18-month-old son, Zeno (poor kid), and it is supposed to be available for commercial sale in the next three years (for $200 - $300). It stands 17 inches tall and weighs 6 pounds, and took 5 years to create. He comes equipped with facial recognition software, and will greet you by name when he recognizes you. He is controlled wirelessly via PC, and can talk, walk, and make eye contact. His face is made of "frubber", enabling a variety of facial expressions, which he uses himself because he has "his own moods" and makes "his own decisions".

That sounds great and all... but honestly, he's one scary little bastard. Is it just me, or does anybody else get the feeling that one of those decisions he'll make on his own may be stabbing your eyes out with a ballpoint pen one night while you sleep?

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