Because there’s nothing that old people love more than creepy, robotic Teddy bears, the folks at Fujitsu have created a companion for the elderly in the form of a bear that reacts to the emotions of the person in the room.
The bear is on display here at the Consumer Electronics Show, but since I don’t like to stray too close to the edge of the uncanny valley, I left it up to my Consumer Reports bro Paul Eng to make this informative, if a bit terrifying, video.
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I don’t even know why the scientists make them. They eat old people’s medicine for fuel.
You probably should get some insurance against that happening.
Robotic Teddy Bearz iz sad and frownz that you’re fallen and I can’t getz up?
It will just yell, “Yo, Grandma, get up!!!”
Haley Joel Osment is still creepier than Teddy in AI.
seems like a pedophile’s dream
If you touch the bear in a bad way it scowls at you.
…or nightmare.
If they made it with a “Nanny Cam” in one eye, teddy can share his feelings with the local police and District Attorney.
Webcam meets Teddy Bear? I think I just had a flashback.
My secret is that I’d really love a My First Bacon as seen at the bottom of that page.
Damn. So much for my plan of buying a few cases each of teddy bears and mini cameras.
I’m disappointed in the video. I wanted see the bear react to actual expressions.
Your tears turn it off.
The famed ethnographer Charles William Merton Hart described elderly females as “a terrible nuisance” and “physically quite revolting.” I wish he were alive today to appreciate this technology.
Oh sure. Just wait until it start chasing old people around with a meat cleaver. Nice move, Fujitsu!
Will this bear keep your grandmother company, so you don’t have to? lol
It can probably tolerate the smell of mothballs, cigarrettes and urine a lot better than I can!
Teddy Ruxpin (SP) has come back to haunt us…RUUUN!
why would you wanna run from Teddy Ruxpin?
I’ll break, David.
I have to find David. Are you taking me to David?
A Japanese anamatronic robot, that is soft and responsive. Half the people are going to use this robot for the intended purpose. The other half are going to do things to the robot that could be considered disturbing.
Actually, the bear is kind of cute. If you can’t devote the required amount of care for a real pet due to illness, energy levels, or even free time I can see how a robotic one could fill an emotional need. It seems like a step up from fish or a houseplant, only requiring less care.
1. The bear is more cute than terrifying. Depending on the price, I’d get one in lieu of a mammalian pet (we have a goldfish and I don’t plan to upgrade to anything with fur).
2. Paul Eng is adorable. Paul Eng + robotic bear makes for a video filled with overwhelming adorableness.
Is it just me or did anyone else have their SSRIs kick out and leave them staring at CHUCKY?
I wonder how much it costs. It might be a cute toy for kids. I can’t imagine it’s being any use at all for adults.
I think it’s awesome! I would buy this for my little ones.
I love to see how the human mind has created something so amazing. Things will only get better from here.