Robot shows stiff Czech PM how to loosen up a bit
Published:
25 August 2003 y., Monday
A robot with impeccable manners charmed guests at a state dinner with his wisecracks and dancing, outshining Czech Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla and showing up his often-mocked social stiffness.
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi unveiled an improved version of the 4-foot tall Asimo humanoid on an official visit to the Czech Republic, where the word robot first appeared in author Karel Capek's 1920 play "R.U.R." (Rossum's Universal Robots).
Asimo began working the crowd as soon as he arrived at the dinner late on Thursday, telling jokes, greeting Spidla warmly, and even making a champagne toast before wisecracking that he couldn't drink himself because he is underage.
"Let's drink to Japan and the Czech Republic, and to the friendly relationship between humans and robots," Asimo, made by Honda, said in perfect Czech.
"If Capek could see me, he would definitely be surprised." Spidla smiled at the robot but seemed at a loss for witty conversation.
He turned down Asimo's request for a dance saying only:
"I like science and various technically advanced things."
Šaltinis:
boston.com
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
An Austrian millionaire raffles off his 1.5 million euro luxury villa in favor of a simpler life.
more »
Jumping from a pier in the attempt to win the title of top Birdman and a $47,000 prize.
more »
Hundreds of couples lock lips to recreate the famous kiss that marked the end of World War II 65 years ago.
more »
A lion and tiger become the proud parents of two “liger” cubs in a private Taiwanese zoo.
more »
Pygmy hippo calf, Kambiri, makes her public debut at Sydney zoo.
more »
A 34-year-old British explorer completes an 859-day expedition to become the first known man to have walked the entire length of the Amazon River.
more »
A woman attacks McDonald's workers and breaks the drive-through window after being told chicken McNuggets were not being served at the Toledo, Ohio restaurant.
more »
Christmas comes early to London's Oxford Street, as department store Selfridge's opens its festive store in the height of summer.
more »
Rare baby leopards, born this spring at Paris' main zoo, are presented for public viewing for the first time.
more »
A tribal community in India's northeastern state of Assam is manufacturing tea coins, an innovative and eco-friendly alternative for tea bags.
more »