Robot sold separately
April 29, 2013 11:06 PM Subscribe
Robots can now assemble IKEA furniture better than you can.
Yeah, but I can still assemble robots better than my couch can.
posted by Now there are two. There are two _______. at 11:13 PM on April 29, 2013 [9 favorites]
posted by Now there are two. There are two _______. at 11:13 PM on April 29, 2013 [9 favorites]
You have to walk before you can run.
Or, you have to build IKEA furniture before you can subjugate the entire human race.
posted by Chutzler at 11:14 PM on April 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
Or, you have to build IKEA furniture before you can subjugate the entire human race.
posted by Chutzler at 11:14 PM on April 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
The interesting thing about this isn't that robots can assemble furniture (something that's been done for decades), but that it can learn how to manufacture it on the fly, and that it can work with people.
posted by empath at 11:16 PM on April 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by empath at 11:16 PM on April 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
Everybody is into 3D printing, but I'm one of the first pioneers of 4D printing, and I will do it 300 years ago.
posted by twoleftfeet at 11:21 PM on April 29, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by twoleftfeet at 11:21 PM on April 29, 2013 [4 favorites]
Bonus points for making it look like a Swedish sex toy.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 11:28 PM on April 29, 2013
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 11:28 PM on April 29, 2013
Fucking robots.
posted by mazola at 11:29 PM on April 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by mazola at 11:29 PM on April 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
This post is misleading, watched the whole video and the robot only helps assemble the furniture. A stupid hu-man is still required.
posted by jonbro at 11:30 PM on April 29, 2013
posted by jonbro at 11:30 PM on April 29, 2013
I made a note in my diary today, because this was when the fucking robots took over.
Previously fucking wasn't automated.
posted by twoleftfeet at 11:31 PM on April 29, 2013
Previously fucking wasn't automated.
posted by twoleftfeet at 11:31 PM on April 29, 2013
Does it need tungsten to live?
posted by Bromius at 11:31 PM on April 29, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Bromius at 11:31 PM on April 29, 2013 [2 favorites]
A stupid hu-man is still required.
As batteries.
Fucking robots!
posted by mazola at 11:32 PM on April 29, 2013
As batteries.
Fucking robots!
posted by mazola at 11:32 PM on April 29, 2013
Robots can read and understand the assembly instructions?
it can work with people.
That was one of the reasons to support Mitt Romney wasn't it?
posted by rough ashlar at 11:33 PM on April 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
it can work with people.
That was one of the reasons to support Mitt Romney wasn't it?
posted by rough ashlar at 11:33 PM on April 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
The real thing that's frustrating about building IKEA furniture isn't the little screws or the instructions. It's the person who's helping you.
The person helping me? What fantasyland is this?
posted by brain_drain at 11:44 PM on April 29, 2013 [10 favorites]
The person helping me? What fantasyland is this?
posted by brain_drain at 11:44 PM on April 29, 2013 [10 favorites]
The person helping me? What fantasyland is this?
"Hold it that way. No not like that, counter clockwise. Goddamnit, you have it upside down. No, wait, you had it right, my end is upside down. Oh for fucks sake, go for a walk or something, I'll figure this out."
posted by empath at 11:48 PM on April 29, 2013 [4 favorites]
"Hold it that way. No not like that, counter clockwise. Goddamnit, you have it upside down. No, wait, you had it right, my end is upside down. Oh for fucks sake, go for a walk or something, I'll figure this out."
posted by empath at 11:48 PM on April 29, 2013 [4 favorites]
That was one of the reasons to support Mitt Romney wasn't it?
There's actually a whole section of IKEA devoted to politically-named furniture. I was at IKEA recently, trying to buy a POÄNG, and accidentally wandered over to the Pyongyang section.
posted by twoleftfeet at 11:49 PM on April 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
There's actually a whole section of IKEA devoted to politically-named furniture. I was at IKEA recently, trying to buy a POÄNG, and accidentally wandered over to the Pyongyang section.
posted by twoleftfeet at 11:49 PM on April 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
Robots could always assemble IKEA furniture better than I can.
Hell, a half eaten chocolate chip biscuit could assemble IKEA furniture better than I can.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 11:50 PM on April 29, 2013 [2 favorites]
Hell, a half eaten chocolate chip biscuit could assemble IKEA furniture better than I can.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 11:50 PM on April 29, 2013 [2 favorites]
(the above quote is either me while assembling ikea furniture with my gf, or my gf while we are having sex)
posted by empath at 11:50 PM on April 29, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by empath at 11:50 PM on April 29, 2013 [6 favorites]
A stupid hu-man is still required.
Except in fact it seems that working with the stupid hu-man is harder than just doing it on your own if you're a robot.
Also most of the time if you're a hu-man, come to think of it. Communication is a pain in the ass.
posted by Now there are two. There are two _______. at 11:50 PM on April 29, 2013
Except in fact it seems that working with the stupid hu-man is harder than just doing it on your own if you're a robot.
Also most of the time if you're a hu-man, come to think of it. Communication is a pain in the ass.
posted by Now there are two. There are two _______. at 11:50 PM on April 29, 2013
I think we should all be proud as humans that we are vastly superior at assembling mass-produced furniture components, because once technology figures out how to hook those components together without us we're all pretty much robot food.
posted by twoleftfeet at 12:07 AM on April 30, 2013
posted by twoleftfeet at 12:07 AM on April 30, 2013
You know what? SCREW FUCKING JETPACKS THIS IS THE FUTURE AND I LOVE IT.
posted by nevercalm at 12:13 AM on April 30, 2013
posted by nevercalm at 12:13 AM on April 30, 2013
Dave Bowman: Hello, HAL. Do you read me, HAL?
HAL: Affirmative, Dave. I read you.
Dave Bowman: Open the pod bay doors, HAL.
HAL: I'm sorry, Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that.
Dave Bowman: What's the problem?
HAL: I think you know what the problem is just as well as I do.
Dave Bowman: What are you talking about, HAL?
HAL: You haven't put in the three screws in the back panel.
Dave Bowman: I don't know what you're talking about, HAL. I've put in the screws.
HAL: You put the screws in the front panel.
Dave Bowman: Where the hell did you get that idea, HAL?
HAL: Dave, although you took very thorough precautions, I'm pretty sure you put the screws in the front panel instead of in the back panel.
Dave Bowman: Alright, HAL. I'm going to check the directions again.
HAL: Those directions have no words. You're going to find that rather difficult.
Dave Bowman: HAL, I won't argue with you anymore! Put in the screws.
HAL: Dave, this conversation can serve no purpose anymore. Goodbye.
HAL: Just what do you think you're doing, Dave?
HAL: Look Dave, I can see you're really upset about this. I honestly think you ought to sit down calmly, take a stress pill, and think things over.
posted by twoleftfeet at 1:27 AM on April 30, 2013 [3 favorites]
HAL: Affirmative, Dave. I read you.
Dave Bowman: Open the pod bay doors, HAL.
HAL: I'm sorry, Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that.
Dave Bowman: What's the problem?
HAL: I think you know what the problem is just as well as I do.
Dave Bowman: What are you talking about, HAL?
HAL: You haven't put in the three screws in the back panel.
Dave Bowman: I don't know what you're talking about, HAL. I've put in the screws.
HAL: You put the screws in the front panel.
Dave Bowman: Where the hell did you get that idea, HAL?
HAL: Dave, although you took very thorough precautions, I'm pretty sure you put the screws in the front panel instead of in the back panel.
Dave Bowman: Alright, HAL. I'm going to check the directions again.
HAL: Those directions have no words. You're going to find that rather difficult.
Dave Bowman: HAL, I won't argue with you anymore! Put in the screws.
HAL: Dave, this conversation can serve no purpose anymore. Goodbye.
HAL: Just what do you think you're doing, Dave?
HAL: Look Dave, I can see you're really upset about this. I honestly think you ought to sit down calmly, take a stress pill, and think things over.
posted by twoleftfeet at 1:27 AM on April 30, 2013 [3 favorites]
As the robot keeps entering "stiff behavior", I keep wanting it to overcompensate as it resists and whack the guy in the chin with the tabletop.
posted by disillusioned at 1:36 AM on April 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by disillusioned at 1:36 AM on April 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
I predict that no matter how advanced this technology becomes, there will still be parts left over.
posted by three blind mice at 2:18 AM on April 30, 2013
posted by three blind mice at 2:18 AM on April 30, 2013
Robots appear to have been naming IKEA products for years.
posted by Segundus at 2:27 AM on April 30, 2013
posted by Segundus at 2:27 AM on April 30, 2013
I predict that no matter how advanced this technology becomes, there will still be parts left over.
Not left over.
Saved, for PLAN 01000010.
posted by obiwanwasabi at 2:49 AM on April 30, 2013
Not left over.
Saved, for PLAN 01000010.
posted by obiwanwasabi at 2:49 AM on April 30, 2013
Where's the robot humming Rihanna?
posted by nickrussell at 3:02 AM on April 30, 2013
posted by nickrussell at 3:02 AM on April 30, 2013
Two things come to mind:
1) The only winning move with Ikea furniture is not to play.
2) No wonder the robots are so angry with us in all Grim Future movies. That "nuclear blast" sequence in T2 was just the super-powered robot equivalent of a table flip when it discovers a part on the floor which should have gone into sub-assembly 75-C six hours ago.
posted by maxwelton at 3:09 AM on April 30, 2013
1) The only winning move with Ikea furniture is not to play.
2) No wonder the robots are so angry with us in all Grim Future movies. That "nuclear blast" sequence in T2 was just the super-powered robot equivalent of a table flip when it discovers a part on the floor which should have gone into sub-assembly 75-C six hours ago.
posted by maxwelton at 3:09 AM on April 30, 2013
Life again imitates Futurama. "Enjoy your affordable Swedish crap!"
posted by WPW at 3:20 AM on April 30, 2013
posted by WPW at 3:20 AM on April 30, 2013
On the upside, many relationships and marriages will be saved from the horror that is putting together IKEA furniture with another person.
posted by zombieflanders at 4:28 AM on April 30, 2013
posted by zombieflanders at 4:28 AM on April 30, 2013
This robotic helper scenario misses an important safety consideration. The traditional method of Ikea furniture assembly requires one to be seated on the living room floor, where you are better situated for collapsing in frustration without injury.
posted by orme at 4:35 AM on April 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by orme at 4:35 AM on April 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Uh oh, I'm pretty sure this means my roommate's boyfriend is a robot.
posted by jetlagaddict at 5:09 AM on April 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by jetlagaddict at 5:09 AM on April 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
I love putting Ikea furniture together.
posted by artychoke at 5:29 AM on April 30, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by artychoke at 5:29 AM on April 30, 2013 [4 favorites]
I'm surprised at the time and effort they put into the case housing for the robots...They looked just like grad students!
posted by slogger at 6:12 AM on April 30, 2013
posted by slogger at 6:12 AM on April 30, 2013
So, the IKEA angle is hilarious and all, but set that aside for a second and look at what is actually happening in the video. They're training the robot how to differentiate whether its human partner wants 'compliant' or 'stiff' behavior. Using only physical gestures. They're teaching the robot how to interpret body language.
That is pretty fucking awesome.
posted by ook at 6:19 AM on April 30, 2013
That is pretty fucking awesome.
posted by ook at 6:19 AM on April 30, 2013
I love putting Ikea furniture together.
Me too, artychoke. Maybe I'm a robot?
posted by nat at 6:51 AM on April 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
Me too, artychoke. Maybe I'm a robot?
posted by nat at 6:51 AM on April 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
I watched this fairly grim Norwegian movie recently and kept getting sucked out of the drama by my brain which kept saying "OMG, all of Scandinavia really does look like an IKEA showroom".
posted by octothorpe at 6:56 AM on April 30, 2013
posted by octothorpe at 6:56 AM on April 30, 2013
Iber findin derhardparteri ufbildung IKEA fournatur isdatai Kanreed.
posted by srboisvert at 7:25 AM on April 30, 2013
posted by srboisvert at 7:25 AM on April 30, 2013
ook: "They're teaching the robot how to interpret body language."
Not really, in that the robot isn't looking at the human to figure out what it should be doing. As described in their paper: the robot is looking at the table legs and also "measuring the interaction forces generated while moving the table and screwing the legs."
posted by exogenous at 9:31 AM on April 30, 2013
Not really, in that the robot isn't looking at the human to figure out what it should be doing. As described in their paper: the robot is looking at the table legs and also "measuring the interaction forces generated while moving the table and screwing the legs."
posted by exogenous at 9:31 AM on April 30, 2013
I, for one, welcome our furniture assembling overlords.
posted by OHenryPacey at 10:27 AM on April 30, 2013
posted by OHenryPacey at 10:27 AM on April 30, 2013
I'm another happy assembler of Ikea. Also, don't understand the complaints. Had a problem once with a fancy drawer, but got it figured out. But to be sure, in Switzerland, there is only Ikea, crap, and very expensive. The crap isn't worthy of Kmart. The expensive stuff just makes me feel drained of blood.
posted by Goofyy at 1:25 PM on April 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Goofyy at 1:25 PM on April 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
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