ASMIO Concerns

**wolfy** · 06-06-2005, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by melmel

It's ok, it shouldn't be a problem. Nobody goes into Innoventions anyway, except weird tourists from Utah and the Midwest. And no one's swaying them on anything.

Could have sworn you went yesterday....don't think anyone forced you, OK, maybe Marina did!

**Darkbeer** · 06-06-2005, 11:45 AM

Here is a link to some photos of the theater and the show from Sunday...

http://darkbeer.smugmug.com/gallery/576922

**BoogaFrito** · 06-06-2005, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by superphred

someday you may have a robot in your home that can open doors, fold your laundry, and take out the trash, but its not gonna sleep with your husband or steal your money.

Yeah, but you didn't see the way ASIMO was looking at my wife!

**speederscout** · 06-07-2005, 01:37 AM

I just posted this on this thread, http://www.micechat.com/showthread.p...ighlight=asimo but it seems very appropriate here, too.

I actually thought ASIMO was pretty cool. I just wish the presentation would have been direct with us about what ASIMO can and can't do. It was sort of confusing until you realize that there was no way that thing could have comprehended which parts of the on-stage conversations were directed at him, and which were directed at "kevin", or realized that Kevin had forgot to order the pizza. It was performing like C-3PO, and I don't think even Honda is quite there yet...

I have one of the functional R2-D2s that were sold a couple of years ago, and I just love him. He can't do stairs and he only has a vision range of about six feet. He can see me move around and even follow me, and he recognizes phrases, but not my voice or my face. He is programmed with enough "personality" that he usually seems to understand what's going on, but of course, its just randomly pre-program responses and actions; he's not even remotely as sophisticated as ASIMO. And he's not shaped like a person, either, and maybe that is the real thing that is freaking people out about ASIMO.

Before complete paranoia sets in, please remember that ASIMO isn't programmed to "replace" people, just to assist them. He's a "protocol" droid, just like 3PO. I wish my R2 was as handy.

**pyrateslife4me84** · 06-07-2005, 06:53 AM

Originally Posted by speederscout

I just posted this on this thread, http://www.micechat.com/showthread.p...ighlight=asimo but it seems very appropriate here, too.

I actually thought ASIMO was pretty cool. I just wish the presentation would have been direct with us about what ASIMO can and can't do. It was sort of confusing until you realize that there was no way that thing could have comprehended which parts of the on-stage conversations were directed at him, and which were directed at "kevin", or realized that Kevin had forgot to order the pizza. It was performing like C-3PO, and I don't think even Honda is quite there yet...

I have one of the functional R2-D2s that were sold a couple of years ago, and I just love him. He can't do stairs and he only has a vision range of about six feet. He can see me move around and even follow me, and he recognizes phrases, but not my voice or my face. He is programmed with enough "personality" that he usually seems to understand what's going on, but of course, its just randomly pre-program responses and actions; he's not even remotely as sophisticated as ASIMO. And he's not shaped like a person, either, and maybe that is the real thing that is freaking people out about ASIMO.

Before complete paranoia sets in, please remember that ASIMO isn't programmed to "replace" people, just to assist them. He's a "protocol" droid, just like 3PO. I wish my R2 was as handy.

Well, Honda certainly isn't there with the A.I., but that's just because that is a VERY complex thing to engineer, but it will certainly happen in the future. Whoever said robots will never be able to think is being a little closed-minded. Once we fully understand the human brain (which I work on...), we can begin programming robots to actually think. Our brains (and therefore our "minds") all function thanks to chemical processes that can be synthetically duplicated. That is several decades down the road, however.

**Lost Boy** · 06-07-2005, 06:23 PM

Boy, I am sure glad that a lot of people on this thread weren't around when Walt Disney started working on Human A/A figures. Through all the negative comments that were sure to have been made, we might not have rides like Mansion, Pirates, Carrousel, America Sings, Mr. Lincoln, and so many others. Technology always scares those who don't understand it and don't take the time to learn about it.

I feel sorry for you. You have left the child within, behind.

**CoasterMatt** · 06-07-2005, 06:42 PM

I think it would rock to have a line of ASIMO's kick dancing at some sort of new musical show to replace HISTA

**fkurucz** · 06-08-2005, 08:46 AM

Originally Posted by pyrateslife4me84

Well, Honda certainly isn't there with the A.I., but that's just because that is a VERY complex thing to engineer, but it will certainly happen in the future. Whoever said robots will never be able to think is being a little closed-minded. Once we fully understand the human brain (which I work on...), we can begin programming robots to actually think. Our brains (and therefore our "minds") all function thanks to chemical processes that can be synthetically duplicated. That is several decades down the road, however.

I am still somewhat skeptical that we will ever be able to fully understand how the brain works. I also don't buy the "Turing test".

**speederscout** · 06-08-2005, 09:24 AM

I think I know what it is... ASIMO doesn't have a face! Threepio's face may be neutral, but at least he has one. I think many people wouldn't be so nervous about ASIMO if he had more than just an ominous black plate for a face, sort of like talking to someone who's sunglasses are so dark that you see no evidence of their eyes; it makes you wonder where they're really looking or what they really think. I mean, even my R2 has an eye that I can see!

ASIMO's face is just plain "unfriendly". Give people something to look at, at least resembling a face, or even just make his eyes visible, and people will fall in love with him.

**aluisi** · 06-08-2005, 09:26 AM

This is whats coming for all robots

**cellarhound** · 06-08-2005, 10:34 AM

Ok, you guys are going over board with ASIMO here... The military already deploys armed robots for crowd control purposes. They look nothing like ASIMO...

But after seeing the demonstration of ASIMO that was on film hosted by another fan site, I must say, I am not really too impressed..

Now if he can make a margarita (salted glass and paper umbrella and everything) with out preprepping the mixings and travel upstairs to deliver it to me with out spilling a drop... I will be impressed...

Lets see Asimo perform more important tasks...

**Uncle Remus** · 06-08-2005, 01:17 PM

I say he is cool and would probably be something Walt would want in his tomorrowland. He's the latest technology, he amazes kids (and myself), and its something to do in innoventions. Don't get so nit-picky over every little thing disney does or we'll have to create a online board to disscuss it all... o wait, nm.

**pyrateslife4me84** · 06-08-2005, 01:32 PM

Originally Posted by cellarhound

Ok, you guys are going over board with ASIMO here... The military already deploys armed robots for crowd control purposes. They look nothing like ASIMO...

But after seeing the demonstration of ASIMO that was on film hosted by another fan site, I must say, I am not really too impressed..

Now if he can make a margarita (salted glass and paper umbrella and everything) with out preprepping the mixings and travel upstairs to deliver it to me with out spilling a drop... I will be impressed...

Lets see Asimo perform more important tasks...

That is one thing he actually can do...

As for never understanding how the brain works...well, that is what my fellow neuroscience Ph.D.s and I are trying to do...

**Tikitackett** · 06-08-2005, 02:10 PM

Okay...this is an interesting thread...

Since everyone is sharing their opinions, I will add mine.

First, someone obviously understands how important the history of the Carousel Theater building is to the Guests, as they have decided to theme this exhibit after the Carousel Of Progress. You never know...it might catch on with whatever else they stick in Disneyland's Innoventions to replace outdated exhibits in the future! (Trying to look at the bright side)

Second, I highly doubt machines will ever replace humans...but they may become PART of humans. Imagine in the future, how accessible everything will be to someone who is paraplegic if they are able to build a suit using similar motors and functions? I am not saying replace limbs, but think about in the future, when motors will become very small, and we develop materials that are as strong as steel but a fraction of an inch thick...that technology can be designed into clothing that will allow people to walk or reach for things by giving voice commands rather than sit like a vegetable in a wheelchair. The technology that allows ASIMO to walk and balance could be incorporated into pants that would allow someone who would normally be wheelchair bound to get up and experience life like everyone else! ASIMO is just the first step towards that kind of "mobility freedom" that some people long for! I highly doubt the world will ever get to the point where we have mass quantities of AI-equipped robots living our lives for us or waiting on us hand and foot.

Third, I am surprised that Innoventions is at Disneyland at all. I can understand it's place at EPCOT, but with Disneyland's Tomorrowland taking a look at the future through the eyes of visionaries, doesn't Innoventions play towards the more serious futurists? I mean, isn't Tomorrowland supposed to represent a 'sci-fi" future now? I think ASIMO would fit in very well in an exhibit at EPCOT.

ASIMO doesn't scare me...nor do I think that he will take over the world. I do feel bad for him, though. When artificial intellegence does reach a point where robots will be able to think, they won't even think twice while they are carrying him to a dumpster or trash compactor somewhere when he becomes obsolete. Poor thing.