The picture on the right looks like the latest evolution of the robot toys that have been popular for the last few Christmas’ right? Except this one actually looks as sleek as we’re led to believe by Will Smith in ‘I Robot’ (is that movie title satirically based on the iPod by the way?).
Once again this week I turn to the Japanese to provide us with a glimpse of our future. Or even our past. This little guy is just a concept at the moment, but the idea is that you give him to your elderly relative, and he stands nice a still in their home. Yup- static. He’s not a helper robot, which would be useful to the old dear. The ball in his hand is the important part of Oboe. It’s a high tech hard drive like component which absorbs the knowledge and experience of the person whos house he lives in. Now, a lot of link hoping hasn’t managed to tell me how he does this. Maybe its just simply a voice recorder, or maybe the owner has to actually upload things to him, in which case he’s essentially an overdressed memory stick. But a very cool looking one you must admit.
So why does he do this? Simple- it’s so you can remember that beloved relative once they’re dead. Diaries and your own memory just aren’t enough these days it would seem. Instead we have a robot who ‘remembers’ being human. Good job its immovable because that could lead to hell of a lot of trouble.
Even with the grim portent of potential death (ok so I’m being a little extreme there) I can’t help but find Oboe fascinating. I love the idea that I could get one, record my life, and then still be around to live on after my death as it were. I can just imagine lines and ranks of these guys in a futuristic glass enclosed graveyard, monuments to those that have passed on…
But then I’m all dramatic like that.
2 thoughts on “The Oboe: Let your dead relatives live on in robot form”
The picture on the right looks like the latest evolution of the robot toys that have been popular for the last few Christmas’ right? Except this one actually looks as sleek as we’re led to believe by Will Smith in ‘I Robot’ (is that movie title satirically based on the iPod by the way?).
Once again this week I turn to the Japanese to provide us with a glimpse of our future. Or even our past. This little guy is just a concept at the moment, but the idea is that you give him to your elderly relative, and he stands nice a still in their home. Yup- static. He’s not a helper robot, which would be useful to the old dear. The ball in his hand is the important part of Oboe. It’s a high tech hard drive like component which absorbs the knowledge and experience of the person whos house he lives in. Now, a lot of link hoping hasn’t managed to tell me how he does this. Maybe its just simply a voice recorder, or maybe the owner has to actually upload things to him, in which case he’s essentially an overdressed memory stick. But a very cool looking one you must admit.
So why does he do this? Simple- it’s so you can remember that beloved relative once they’re dead. Diaries and your own memory just aren’t enough these days it would seem. Instead we have a robot who ‘remembers’ being human. Good job its immovable because that could lead to hell of a lot of trouble.
Even with the grim portent of potential death (ok so I’m being a little extreme there) I can’t help but find Oboe fascinating. I love the idea that I could get one, record my life, and then still be around to live on after my death as it were. I can just imagine lines and ranks of these guys in a futuristic glass enclosed graveyard, monuments to those that have passed on…
But then I’m all dramatic like that.
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I love the look of this little guy.. (But enough of what my relatives say about me).. More about the robot. Howcome everything nowadays is a Robot?.. And, what’s more, howcome you’re given the responsibility of having to review robots Ruth?
I think i can understand where the designers are coming from. It’s the future version of something in which we call a “Book”.. They’re taking into account that in many many years to come this little chap will be part of the furniture. So, it can absorb details. I am glad that in years and years to come, i’ll be safe in the knowledge that my future future possible grandchildren will be able to know that i sat down to read my paper, or made a drink. It’ll be like having their own version of a Nosy Neighbour.
Did you get to keep this little chap Ruth? If so, then can you forward him onto me? I’ll make sure he’s given a good home.
Ha! I wish I’d got a sample robot- that would’ve been sweet! Nah I was just in a robot mood and came across him. Will be interesting to see if he moves from concept to reality though.
A book? what is this nonsense of which you speak?! :P