That is unequivocally the most horrifying thing I have ever seen.
Brain. Bleach. Etc. posted by cthuljew at 2:05 PM on March 2, 2011
Great. Now let's see it compete on Jeopardy against the Harlem Globetrotters. posted by kuujjuarapik at 2:09 PM on March 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born? posted by Think_Long at 2:10 PM on March 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
So when the terminators come, they'll have stereo vision and will make 3 pointers all day long? Our defense: the Harlem Globetrotters. They'll never expect the basketball yoyo. posted by doctor_negative at 2:11 PM on March 2, 2011 [5 favorites]
Just ignore the robotic hand coming out of it's mouth
And what rough baller, its hour come round at last,
Dunks towards Neo New York to jam? posted by codacorolla at 2:12 PM on March 2, 2011 [5 favorites]
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHH posted by angrycat at 2:13 PM on March 2, 2011
Anyway, that's very impressive, and unlike the towel folding robots I've seen before (or the sock poling one) it doesn't take forever to do. I guess the difference is that it's relatively quick to calculate a trajectory, but much harder for a robot to understand fabric on a 3 dimensional plain? Funny how computers are so good at stuff we're so bad at and vice-versa. posted by codacorolla at 2:15 PM on March 2, 2011
I think it's totally cute when a robot murders a seal and wears its flesh like a leg warmer.
It's pretty neat, but come on engineers! Try not to sound so bored when you're narrating the video. posted by Barry B. Palindromer at 2:20 PM on March 2, 2011
codacorolla: Funny how computers are so good at stuff we're so bad at and vice-versa.
In this case, it's a question of math. Once the calculations are understood (the force required to move the ball into the net), repeating that task is trivial as the details are fairly fixed. Make a robot that can compete with real people on the court, and then it's really impressive. posted by filthy light thief at 2:23 PM on March 2, 2011
In this case, it's a question of math. Once the calculations are understood (the force required to move the ball into the net), repeating that task is trivial as the details are fairly fixed. Make a robot that can compete with real people on the court, and then it's really impressive.
Yeah, I guess the real "Watson Moment" (please, please excuse that phrase) would be if it was rolling around the court compensating for momentum, and dodging people trying to block its shots. posted by codacorolla at 2:27 PM on March 2, 2011
I knew I should have checked that showboating Globetrotter algebra. posted by shakespeherian at 2:30 PM on March 2, 2011
That's terrifying.
Needs creepy tag. posted by nzero at 2:30 PM on March 2, 2011
It's not a robotic seal. It's a robotic alien fetus. The seal is real.
(Which is more than can be said for the animals in the third link, which are not seals, but sea lions.)
Did anyone else notice the how the robo-narrator said the exhibition gets lots of "appalls" (presumably meaning "applause"), and then we see the robo-seal making a 3-pointer to much bored silence? Yeah. Maybe the robo-narrator didn't mispronounce that after all. posted by Sys Rq at 2:34 PM on March 2, 2011
Done and done. Now people can find more creepy things, if this one wasn't enough. posted by filthy light thief at 2:57 PM on March 2, 2011
That seal dreams of being upgraded to uncanny valley territory. posted by GuyZero at 3:16 PM on March 2, 2011
Did anyone else click the second Youtube link first and sit there for a few joyful seconds thinking wow, these robot seals are very realistic before realising the truth?
Didn't creep me out at all. Just looked shitty. posted by cashman at 5:46 PM on March 2, 2011
You know, this robot is a testament to the success of robotics and artificial vision. With that said though, it isn't that amazing that a glorified toy can do this. My son's stuffed sheep scores against him all the time with the 5' basketball rim. The sheep also has utterly stuffed him on an attempt to drive to the hoop as well, and done a perfect slam dunk.
I won't lie, apparently sheep become great basketball players when they play on mini baskets with mini basketballs, and you cram your hand up their butts. posted by Nanukthedog at 6:47 PM on March 2, 2011
I found it more hilarious then creepy. The seal costume is just such a non sequiter
posted by The World Famous at 2:01 PM on March 2, 2011