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
A Chinese tightrope walker secures his sixth Guinness World Record for longest time walking on a wire, suspended high in the Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing.
more »
Some dog owners in Beijing are jumping at the chance to radically re-style their pets.
more »
A three-year-old girl from southeast China is cut free after becoming stuck in a washing machine.
more »
A three-day festival with dragon boat races commemorates the Chinese folk hero and poet Qu Yuan.
more »
New Jersey woman Donna Simpson wants to be the world's fattest woman at 1,000 pounds, or 453 kilograms.
more »
Dogs and their owners gathered near Australia's Sydney Opera House for a concert put on just to get canine tails wagging.
more »
A two-year old Indonesian toddler is addicted to smoking cigarettes, after taking up the habit when he was 18 months old.
more »
A gathering in Australia broke the Guinness World Record for the number of people wearing superhero costumes in one location.
more »
For the 23rd-year in a row, thousands of motorcycles converge on Washington, DC as part of the annual Rolling Thunder Run to the Wall to honor veterans over the Memorial Day weekend.
more »
New Yorkers love tattoos, but Julia Gnuse has taken the skin art to extremes.
more »