Things You Can Do With Humanoid Robots Besides Date Them
In case you’re not one of the 27%
It’s already been established that 27% of millennials would date a robot. But what if you’re not the sort? What if you’re one of the 73%?
Well, you don’t have to completely fear the impending influx of humanoid robots into everyday society. There are plenty of other purposes awaiting them. So don’t feel like you have to give in to peer pressure and get on RoboTinder.
Listen up. Here are some ways for you to deal with the upcoming invasion of the friendly neighborhood robots.
- Instate One As Your Receptionist
ARISA, a Tokyo Metropolitan Government project developed by Aruze Gaming and THK, is a humanoid robot receptionist. Two ARISAs were tested at the Ueno-Okachimachi and Tochomae subway stops during December, and the testing is being expanded to five stations this month. Currently, she can do nifty things like help you with directions and…tell you where the restrooms are.
ARISA should only evolve from here, so by the time you have to start hiring robot receptionists for your dental practice or law firm or doggy spa, she should at least be able to hold a mildly witty convo. Let’s hope.
2. Cast Your Play Entirely With Robots
Kokoro Company Ltd makes the Sanrio character robots for Sanrio Puroland — aka “Hello Kitty Land” — in Tokyo. They also manufacture “Actroid” humanoids, complete with “astonishing high expression ability” — and if you’ve ever forayed into the world of theatrical drama, you’ll know “astonishing high expression ability” is a top-notch thing to have.
Side note, you can rent dinosaur robots from them.
Imagine the theatrical greatness you could craft with female Japanese Actroids, Hello Kitty, and Stegosauruses. When the film version comes out, that’d sweep up all the Oscars for sure.
3. Have a Robot Teach Your Kids
In April, 500 English-speaking robots are due to launch in Japanese schools to aid English education. Institutions in Singapore and London already have Softbank robots teaching children.
NAO, Softbank’s interactive humanoid companion robot, is one of the most widely-used robot teaching assistants in classrooms globally. A study conducted by a Yale research group showed that robots could potentially be useful in instructing children on the autism spectrum — as NAOs can provide one-on-one, customized education.
Thinking of homeschooling? Get a private robot tutor for the kids instead. A NAO will set you back around $9,000, but it’ll be less work for you in the end…
4. Send One To Set Up Your Compound on Mars
The R5 — or “Valkyrie” — robot is an Iron Man-esque humanoid robot that NASA hopes to eventually send into space. On the NASA website, Valkyrie is described as being designed to be a, “robust, rugged, entirely electric humanoid robot capable of operating in degraded or damaged human-engineered environments.”
Since we’re probably going to end up having to go to Mars soon, might as well send a Valkyrie to do all the dirty prep work. Word has it that a Valkyrie is worth around $2 million, so it should be pretty affordable to privately engage one.
Anyways, this is all pretty awesome, right? No need to be scared of robots that might look just like us. Haha.
So go on. Get your robot receptionist, stage your theatrical masterpiece, build your cool retreat on Mars.
There are whole worlds of opportunity waiting.
