ROBO_JAPAN and how Vista runs Robots!

Ok, get out your robot decoder rings.  I got to go to a Robot show this weekend!

A good friend of mine (Takuya-san) was not able to go to a robot show called ROBO_JAPAN.  So, he asked me if I wanted to go.  Naturally, I said yes.  After all, going to a robot show is like going to candy store when you are kid.  You just don't turn down those types of offers.

So, on Saturday Maiko and I headed down to Yokohama.  Once we arrived, Takuya-san's friend Ikeda-san (from Sales On Demand Corporation), hooked us up with some tickets.  He also invited us to sit in on a presentation that Helen Greiner from iRobot was doing (naturally, we didn't it).  Overall, I had a blast getting geeked out over all the robots, so much so I decided to share.  Thus, without further a due here is a walkthrough of ROBO Japan 2008!

The first thing we saw was a stage for amateur robot makers to show off their robots.  Basically, each robot presented had to do a certain set of "tricks" which included walking around, jumping, etc.  While this was happening each presenter talked about their creations and its differences from other robots.

Yes, that second picture is of a robot dressed as a Tuxedo Teddy Bear.  Sorry, I couldn't get pictures of the actual stage; there just were too many people.  From what I could gather, each robot is graded by a panel of judges and one robot is crowned Ms. ROBO Japan 2008 or something like that.  :>)

In any case, after watching several different robots take the stage it was time for the iRobot presentation.  Sadly, I don't have any pictures (it just seemed a little over kill)... Overall, the presentation that Helen gave was pretty cool (even if there were long pauses while the Japanese translator replayed her words).  While most of it was sales and marketing focused (iRobot appears to be making or at least continuing a push into the Japanese market).  Two aspects of the presentation made me really glad that I came.

First, she shared a lot of the history and background of iRobot, most of which was new to me.  Secondly (and more interestingly), she touched upon an interesting dynamic that the iRobot sees between their customers and the robots that they purchase.  To make a long story short, their customers (including war hardened soldiers) will sometimes create an emotional bound with their robots.  As she explained, the robots will often be named, have a special place within the family or battle unit, and if anything ever happens to the robot there tends to be a lot of emotion involved.  Odd isn't it?

It was during that last tidbit and also while touching upon how her company wants to change/improve the world that Helen seemed to come to life.  Too bad this wasn't a technical presentation, or a one-to-one talk.  It might have been really cool to see her deep dive into robotics, future advancements, and the social implications or benefits that might come about.  Sadly, while I tried to at least say hi, she got swarmed and we had to go see Asimo!

I tell you... Honda continues to make amazing advancements with this little guy.  I can still remember all of the video clips of him/her falling down.  Now Asimo can run, dance, carry things, kick balls, etc.  I have tons of pictures and video... it I get around to it I will try to figure out a way to post it on NetworkWorld.  :>)

After Asimo... we hit the floor.  The following pictures and provided captions should hopefully tell the story:

In the first picture is some kinda of patrol or security guard robot.  The second picture is a really strange seal robot that is given to kids in the hospital.

In the first picture I have no clue what that robot did, but it was really load and wouldn’t shut up.  The second picture is a dog robot.  Yes, a dog robot.  The third robot gives out a dugs to nurses in a hospital.  :>)

And lastly, for the two final pictures I can now explain the whole “purpose” or at least the title for the blog.  As you can see… Microsoft was there!  Not only were they there, they were showing how Vista, some special program written using Visual Studio, and few Xbox controllers could be used to control these strange little robot legs.  :>)

Ha! Another Microsoft/Japan related blog.