# Honda has created a functional robot **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 17, 2004, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/honda-has-created-a-functional-robot/245544 "2004-05-17T05:16:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2004, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/honda-has-created-a-functional-robot/245544/1 "2004-05-17T05:16:26Z")
No, not “fully” functional (I assume). This sentence sort of gives me the chills: > [@](#): > > Honda hopes that the time will come when humanoid robots play an important role in serving us and enriching our lives and society. - From [this](http://world.honda.com/ASIMO/P3/) site. I’ve probably read too much science fiction, but I can’t help wondering if this is the best idea. We have 6 billion humans on the planet, and we still feel the need to create artificial ones? So, general discussion - robots good, bad, serve a particular role, humans shouldn’t try to play god? Thoughts? (The name “Asimo” is a nice touch, though.) ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2004, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/honda-has-created-a-functional-robot/245544/2 "2004-05-17T05:21:37Z")
Tobor Redrum! Tobor Redrum! ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2004, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/honda-has-created-a-functional-robot/245544/3 "2004-05-17T06:08:14Z")
The way I see it…when robots finally become cheap and reliable enough to replace most human jobs, humanity will finally be able to “phase out” the roles filled by our economic lower classes. Then, of course, the slaughter of the “surplus” population will begin. (Aka “Standard Anime Plot #44”) Which, actually, will be _more_ humane than simply allowing them to linger and starve in hopeless poverty. (Aka “Standard Anime Plot #6”) Anyway…no, I have no qualms about “playing God.” Since he hasn’t deigned to show his face all the _other_ times we humans have gone against nature, I don’t see any reason to stop now. ---
**Author:** ![js\_africanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@js\_africanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/js_africanus)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2004, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/honda-has-created-a-functional-robot/245544/4 "2004-05-17T13:05:12Z")
> [@featherlou](#): > > …humans shouldn’t try to play god? Thoughts? [Crow T. Robot] Tag, you’re god! [/Crow T. Robot] ---
**Author:** ![js\_africanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@js\_africanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/js_africanus)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2004, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/honda-has-created-a-functional-robot/245544/5 "2004-05-17T13:06:20Z")
(Or was it Tom Servo?) ---
**Author:** ![gouda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c77e96/32.png) [@gouda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gouda)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2004, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/honda-has-created-a-functional-robot/245544/6 "2004-05-17T13:17:20Z")
Automation is inevitable. You may not realise it, but automation is all around you. Robots do many things better and faster than humans ever could. In many processes, human intervention is actually being done away with almost entirely. It’s only now that technology has advanced enough to allow automation to enter your home in a way that’s hard to miss. Maybe Asimo’s humanoid shape freaks you out, robots have been improving our quality of life for many years now, and they will continue to do so. ---
**Author:** ![One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/838e76/32.png) [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_And_Only_Wanderers)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2004, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/honda-has-created-a-functional-robot/245544/7 "2004-05-17T13:18:23Z")
> [@](#): > > Dr Barber, a specialist in internet sex, also claimed that robotic prostitutes are set to be developed - and predicted under-the-skin microchips which tell if someone has been unfaithful. [Sex Chocolate & Whorebots](http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_958045.html?menu=news.quirkies) Hell once they’ve perfected the above the human race is doomed. After all, the main reason for education and cleanliness is to attract a sex partner. Few more years and we’ll never have to leave the house!! Become a Whore-o-bot repair man now. You’ll be rich!! ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2004, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/honda-has-created-a-functional-robot/245544/8 "2004-05-17T13:31:57Z")
> [@](#): > > Honda hopes that the time will come when humanoid robots play an important role in serving us and enriching our lives and society. Yes, one day soon the robots will hold our _manga_ while we soak in the _furo_. It will be an aeon of joy throughout the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. * * * I shot a robot in my panties this morning. How he got there I’ll never know!–Groucho Marx. ---
**Author:** ![RandomLetters](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8edcca/32.png) [@RandomLetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandomLetters)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2004, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/honda-has-created-a-functional-robot/245544/9 "2004-05-17T13:40:20Z")
As soon as Sony gets their [SEVS-44936 EDS](http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=106) into production, I won’t ever have to leave the house again. Just gotta make sure I get the H model. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2004, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/honda-has-created-a-functional-robot/245544/10 "2004-05-17T14:02:16Z")
> [@One And Only Wanderers](#): > > [Sex Chocolate & Whorebots](http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_958045.html?menu=news.quirkies) > Hell once they’ve perfected the above the human race is doomed. After all, the main reason for education and cleanliness is to attract a sex partner. Few more years and we’ll never have to leave the house!! Become a Whore-o-bot repair man now. You’ll be rich!! Actually, [I’ve written an essay on this topic](http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&safe=off&c2coff=1&q=%22The+Trouble+With+Robobabes%22) (some of the illustrations in the essay are not work safe so I’ve double linked it per Dope policy) – most of the technologies needed to develop whorebots are already in developed or fully developed. Frex, robotic hands (one of the hardest elements) are being developed for industrial apps. The Japanese Honda robot is getting the walking thing down. And Poser programmers are developing software to create sexy walks. And of course, Real Dolls get you halfway there. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2004, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/honda-has-created-a-functional-robot/245544/11 "2004-05-17T14:07:50Z")
Well, of course the discussion has immediately gone to whore-bots. :smack: I hadn’t even thought of that. **gouda** , I realize there is a lot of automation, but you’re right - it’s the idea of a robot walking around my house that is making my skin prickle a little. ---
**Author:** ![One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/838e76/32.png) [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_And_Only_Wanderers)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2004, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/honda-has-created-a-functional-robot/245544/12 "2004-05-17T14:18:35Z")
Sorry to have lowered the tone of your thread 😉 Anyway **featherlou** , is it only the thought of them ‘walking’ that upsets you? You can now purchase a robotic vacuum cleaner which will learn the layout of your house by itself, will vaccuum the carpets according to a preset routine, and will return to its docking station when it gets hungry (ok when its batteries are getting low, but the parallel is there). Personally, I would love one of these, whereas the idea of an upright robot pushing a Dyson around the place would most assuredly give me the wiggins. Probably because the former has not been humanized, but the latter has. [Robotic vacuum cleaner](http://www.ferret.com.au/articles/58/0c016058.asp) ---
**Author:** ![1010011010](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/ea666f/32.png) [@1010011010](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/1010011010)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2004, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/honda-has-created-a-functional-robot/245544/13 "2004-05-17T16:56:40Z")
ASIMO, which what I assume you’re talking about, is still tethered to a trailer the size of a VW Microbus to cart around his power supply and processor bank. The humanoid robot part is primarily a collection of sensors, servos, and some hydraulics… the majority of the robot is decidedly unhumanoid and tucked off stage. I still think it’s cool, but I’m not going to be terribly impressed by anything ASIMO (or any other robot) does until he’s a stand-alone unit… or at least wireless. It could work to have a “House Computer” and various robots controlled via WiFi. So I guess it’s just a matter of power supply at this point.