Japanese robots to guard shops and offices

[idlisambar]

TOKYO - Burglars beware, robot guards are here.

In an idea straight out of science fiction, robots could soon begin patrolling Japanese offices, shopping malls and banks to keep them safe from intruders. Equipped with a camera and sensors, the "Guardrobo D1", developed by Japanese security firm Sohgo Security Services Co., is designed to patrol along pre-programmed paths and keep an eye out for signs of trouble.
.....

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8330600/

[htuttle]

1. Hmm....but will they be...

GIANT ROBOTS?

on edit:
Have you all gotten the feeling that we are no longer the most advanced nation on Earth? If not, you should pay more attention...

[phantom power]

7. Funny, I *have* gotten that feeling.

We're much too busy debating important topics like the validity of evolution, flag-burning, the innocence or guilt of michael jackson, etc.

Who's got time for progress?

[WhiteTara]

16. we're the most powerful PLANET on earth!

[shanti]

2. robocop is here....

:eyes:

[orion9941]

3. I think...

...that they should make the security robots look like Hello Kitty. I would pay good money to see someones butt being tazored by a giant Hello Kitty robot. lol

[swimmernsecretsea]

4. Are you sure they're Japanese robots?

Did we check their green cards? Do they have a work visa? Oh great; another thing we're offshoring...

[democracyindanger]

5. all your bases are belong to us nt

[Moochy]

6. Need some in New London?

Perhaps those New London homeowners should buy a bunch of these and arm them with 40 watt phased plasma rifles.

[Another Bill C.]

8. I saw those in a movie once.

It was about a pizza delivery man who serviced neglected housewives. One of the husbands had a whole roomful of them.

[gratuitous]

9. Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto

Someone had to say it, and you're just pissed that it wasn't you!

[BiggJawn]

13. You....Are.....Most Welcome....

[ckramer]

10. What if the burglars unplug their powercord first?

Or spray their sensor screen?

[htuttle]

11. It would transform itself into a giant squeegee and clean the screen

"Security Robot Mode: SQUEEGEE!"

(you'd have to imagine some glowing anime-like effects to really appreciate it...)

[idlisambar]

12. well

If something went wrong with the robot that would also alert human guards that something was amiss.

[DS9Voy]

14. So burglars could take out a robot before it sets off the alarm

but not a human before he could?

If Japanese rent-a-cops are anything like the american ones the robot would probably stand a better chance.

[byronius]

15. "I submit that you are imperfect -- carry out your prime directive!"

Captain Kirk, Jewel Thief.

[Tiggeroshii]

17. Japanese robot guards to patrol shops, offices

TOKYO (Reuters) - Burglars beware, robot guards are here.

In an idea straight out of science fiction, robots could soon begin patrolling Japanese offices, shopping malls and banks to keep them safe from intruders. Equipped with a camera and sensors, the "Guardrobo D1," developed by Japanese security firm Sohgo Security Services Co., is designed to patrol along pre-programmed paths and keep an eye out for signs of trouble. The 109-cm tall robot will alert human guards via radio and by sending camera footage if it detects intruders, fires, or even water leaks.

Such robots are vital from a business standpoint when considering Japan's aging population, Sohgo Security said. "In the near future, it is certain that securing young and capable manpower will become even more difficult ... and the security industry will feel the full brunt of the impact," the company said in a statement.

More...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050623/sc_nm/security_japan_robot_dc

BAH

[Must_B_Free]

18. The Daleks?

Exterminate! Exterminate!

[lenidog]

19. Hopefully it works better than ED-109 from Robocop

:P

[ReadTomPaine]

20. They should probably take that ATM off its chest. n/t

[Lab2112]

21. RE: Japanese robots to guard shops and offices

Yes, this is how it begins.

Robots designed to serve mankind. We can trust and rely on them because:

1.) A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.

2.) A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.

3.) A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

And then, one day in the not-so-distant future:

SKYNET!

P.S. Apologies to Asimov, Cameron, and, of course, Mary Shelley.

LAB

[Massachusetts]

22. An earlier prototype

Presented by the employees of Reynolds Wrap.

[Sin]

23. Don't worry now

Only when it gets to model #D101 then it might want to run for Governor of Cali

[mccoyn]

24. Sounds affordable?

Would this be cheaper than a pile of cameras and motion detection software? Or can these do more than walk around and look at things?