# Why aren't people interested in robots anymore? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 4, 2004, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-people-interested-in-robots-anymore/232463 "2004-03-04T04:21:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Colinmarshall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Colinmarshall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colinmarshall)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2004, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-people-interested-in-robots-anymore/232463/1 "2004-03-04T04:21:41Z")
I just picked up a copy of _The Personal Robot Guide_ (published 1984) a few months back and was amazed by the wide variety of robots once in development. These little guys would “talk” via voice samples, serve you drinks, roam around the house, turn lights on and off; just about anything cool. These days, however, we’re seeing pretty much no progress in that area. What happened to the world’s interest in robots? To tell it from the available data in the mid-80s, we’d all have our own Johnny 5 (of _Short Circuit_ fame) equivalent by now. I realize that Japan is still working on robot-y projects (though they don’t seem to do much of interest) and there’s that “Roobma” thing on the market that vacuums your floors, but those are neither here nor there. Why have robots fallen so out of favor? ---
**Author:** ![antechinus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/fbc32d/32.png) [@antechinus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antechinus)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2004, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-people-interested-in-robots-anymore/232463/2 "2004-03-04T04:53:16Z")
What… we have just sent robots to explore another planet. ---
**Author:** ![jovan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/0ea827/32.png) [@jovan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jovan)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2004, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-people-interested-in-robots-anymore/232463/3 "2004-03-04T05:48:02Z")
> [@Colinmarshall](#): > > I realize that Japan is still working on robot-y projects (though they don’t seem to do much of interest) Erm… Ever seen a car assembly line? How about bomb squad robots? Or Mars probes? Now, if you’re talking about _androids_ rather than just “robots” than you have to consider that they pose great technical challenges for very little practical value. In other words, it’s not really worth investing in them other than to show off your technical know-how, like Honda and Sony are doing. ---
**Author:** ![Colinmarshall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Colinmarshall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colinmarshall)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2004, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-people-interested-in-robots-anymore/232463/4 "2004-03-04T06:16:46Z")
C’mon, you _know_ I’m not talking about mechanical arms that attach doors to the frames of econoboxes. I mean, they don’t even _look cool_. ---
**Author:** ![conczepts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e7dd6/32.png) [@conczepts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/conczepts)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2004, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-people-interested-in-robots-anymore/232463/5 "2004-03-04T06:18:28Z")
Bomb squad machines aren’t really “robots” anymore than an RC car is a robot. They don’t make intelligent decisions AFAIK so they’re only automatons. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2004, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-people-interested-in-robots-anymore/232463/6 "2004-03-04T07:27:52Z")
Actually, robotics is a pretty big hobby these days. Aside from research robots, there is a large hobby robot industry. People building robots for “Battlebots”, personal robots like the Sony AIDBO, The myriad robot toys for kids, and the lego Mindstorms. Moving up scale a bit, there is going to soon be a rather large market for home robots, I believe. Have a look at this robot from Sony: [Qrio](http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/QRIO/story/index_nf.html) This robot is amazing. You have to see the videos of it in action on that web site. Word is, these things will be for sale in maybe 2006 or 2007. Under 20 grand, at first. Clearly, the first people who buy it will be wealthy early adopters and maybe robotics research departments and such. But every couple of years there will be another generation that will be half the cost and twice as good. A decade from now these things may be as common as computers. ---
**Author:** ![jovan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/0ea827/32.png) [@jovan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jovan)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2004, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-people-interested-in-robots-anymore/232463/7 "2004-03-04T07:29:49Z")
> [@conczepts](#): > > Bomb squad machines aren’t really “robots” anymore than an RC car is a robot. They don’t make intelligent decisions AFAIK so they’re only automatons. I don’t believe making intelligent decision is part of the definition of what constitutes a robot. Bomb squad robots and Mars rovers are mechanical devices that perform relatively complicated tasks with some level of cutomisation. Automatons can only perform a single, repetitive task. It all depends on how you define “robot”. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2004, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-people-interested-in-robots-anymore/232463/8 "2004-03-04T08:20:33Z")
I’m looking forward to genetically modified monkey butler homunculi, myself. ---
**Author:** ![Seven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Seven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seven)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2004, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-people-interested-in-robots-anymore/232463/9 "2004-03-04T08:24:59Z")
“Why aren’t people interested in robots anymore?” Because we learned there will never be giant, city stomping robots that take over the world. Robot butler = boring. Car crushing robot that shoots fire but turns on makers = Cool. But will never be. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![jovan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/0ea827/32.png) [@jovan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jovan)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2004, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-people-interested-in-robots-anymore/232463/10 "2004-03-04T08:28:43Z")
> [@Sam Stone](#): > > But every couple of years there will be another generation that will be half the cost and twice as good. A decade from now these things may be as common as computers. I have a hard time seeing that happen. Robots like Qrio don’t do anything useful. You can do a lot with computers, which is why they’ve been commercially succesful. Qrio and before Aibo are cool. For about 20 minutes. Then, you realise they don’t really _do_ anything. They lack a selling point. What I _do_ see as potentially succesful are robots like Electrolux’ [Trilobite](http://trilobite.electrolux.com/). Things that are designed with some sort of purpose in mind, be it practical or entertainment-related. ---
**Author:** ![Starguard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Starguard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starguard)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2004, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-people-interested-in-robots-anymore/232463/11 "2004-03-04T08:31:53Z")
Robots are **EVIL** man…Don’t you watch cartoons 😃 ---
**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:** [March 4, 2004, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-people-interested-in-robots-anymore/232463/12 "2004-03-04T08:35:03Z")
Well, I remember a website for guys working on turning “RealDolls” into actual androids. Voice chips, muscle wire…the works. If someone managed to make that work, it’d fund robotics research for the next century. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2004, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-people-interested-in-robots-anymore/232463/13 "2004-03-04T08:56:51Z")
Oh, I think Qrio could be plenty useful. His wireless LAN connection and web browsing ability might allow him to answer questions like, “How hot is it outside?” or “What’s playing at the Cineplex 12 tonight?”. Being mobile means he may be able to fetch small items. He’ll be supremely entertaining. He’ll do a dance for you. He’ll download songs from the internet and play them while dancing. He’ll be a walking telephone. Imagine sitting on the couch and going, “Hey Qrio - call Bob for me.” And a few seconds later Bob answers through Qrio’s speaker. Qrio will be able to play games. Eventually, you’ll be able to play chess with him at a real chess board, and he’ll pick up and move the pieces just like a human. He’ll be a great sentry. With a video camera and a wireless video connection, you can send Qrio to check out the house, and watch on your PC as he goes from room to room. And I’m sure there will be tons of applications we haven’t thought of yet. Just like the Aibo is being used for a lot of things Sony didn’t imagine. These things have to drop to under $3,000, and gain a couple more generations of reliabillity and functionality, and they’ll fly off the shelves. After all, Sony sold thousands of Aibos for $2,500.00, and they don’t have 1/20 the cool factor or capability as Qrio. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2004, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-people-interested-in-robots-anymore/232463/14 "2004-03-04T09:14:13Z")
I think it’s beause people know a lot more about computers that they used to. What was once a ROBOT! is now just another peripheral gadget. ---
**Author:** ![jovan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/0ea827/32.png) [@jovan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jovan)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2004, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-people-interested-in-robots-anymore/232463/15 "2004-03-04T09:15:42Z")
The problem I see is that my cell phone can already most of that and it fits in my pocket. Plus, I got it free when I subscribed. I’ve seen Qrio and I’ve played with Aibo and I can assure you that their dancing gets pretty boring _real_ soon. Certainly not worth 3000$. Also, the Aibo wasn’t exactly a resounding success - not for a company like Sony. How do you sell a product like Qrio? Computers made their way into our homes in great part because people were using them at work. I don’t see that happening with androids. Ultimately, for something in that price range, practicality will always win over coolness. ---
**Author:** ![jovan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/0ea827/32.png) [@jovan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jovan)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2004, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-people-interested-in-robots-anymore/232463/16 "2004-03-04T09:20:37Z")
Above post in reply to **Sam Stone** , of course. ---
**Author:** ![DougC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@DougC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DougC)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2004, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-people-interested-in-robots-anymore/232463/17 "2004-03-04T15:35:53Z")
- - - You can find quite a lot going on among hobbyists, especially now with mini-ATC PC’s available that will fit into a 7"x7", 5" inch high box, and _micro_ PC’s that are even smaller. I understand that there is a considerable argument over if the PC should be built-in to the robot and the whole unit fully self-powered and mobile as convention expects, or if the PC “brains” should be stationary instead: have a conventional stationary PC somewhere running the “robot” program, and a mobile vehicle with sensors, and an RF link between them. So the “robot” program is running on the PC, but it is getting info from and guiding the remote vehicle just the same. … - But really, what do you do with it? The main problem is finding a use that most people would agree is a good idea: vacuuming a floor kinda makes some sense, but not a lot else really does. One task they used to say was really nifty was the ability for the robot to wander your house as a sentry when you weren’t there, watching for intruders–but honestly, simply intalling a wired conventional alarm system with IR sensors is really a much cheaper, easier and more dependable way to acomplish the same thing (and with wireless PC tech heading where it is, the “wired” aspect of these alarms will soon disappear–making “installing” them even easier). * * * So really, one needs to find a task that robots can do in the home–_and do better enough than any other solution_–to justify their costs. ~ ---
**Author:** ![Wumpus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8c91f0/32.png) [@Wumpus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wumpus)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2004, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-people-interested-in-robots-anymore/232463/18 "2004-03-04T16:12:41Z")
If the questions is, “Where’s our robot butlers?” then the answer is: the same place as our moving sidewalks and flying cars. ---
**Author:** ![dylan\_73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecccb3/32.png) [@dylan\_73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dylan_73)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2004, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-people-interested-in-robots-anymore/232463/19 "2004-03-04T16:22:44Z")
> [@Ranchoth](#): > > Well, I remember a website for guys working on turning “RealDolls” into actual androids. Voice chips, muscle wire…the works. > [@DougC](#): > > …vacuuming a floor kinda makes some sense… > > So really, one needs to find a task that robots can do in the home–and do better enough than any other solution–to justify their costs. Just need to get the Cooking team up to speed and we’re set… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![groo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecd19e/32.png) [@groo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/groo)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2004, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-people-interested-in-robots-anymore/232463/20 "2004-03-04T17:22:03Z")
Many robots (pictures & descriptions) can be found at the [Robot Menu.](http://www.robotics.com/robomenu/) Most are autonomous (i.e., not remote-controlled toys), and a disappointingly small number have been designed to go on murderous rampages. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-people-interested-in-robots-anymore/232463.md?page=2)