Microsoft Robots to Watch Kids

Archangel Michael writes "Microsoft announced today that is testing a new toy / robot to watch over kids. My question is, if the toy BSOD does it take the kid with it? Now we are letting inanimate objects raise our kids! When will it end?"

And what about...

[NickFitz]

The idea is to create a virtual being that can... let the plumber into the house while its owner enjoys a pleasant afternoon in the sun.

Now, am I really going to trust a Microsoft security system to ascertain that it really is the plumber, rather than some smackhead from down the street?

Re:When will it end?

[tyresyas]

Because the concept of a British nanny and boarding schools for young ages came from American society...

Re:BSOD

[g0hare]

Yeah, but only with bad hardware (one of the two processors was bad). Also with a bad memory chip. Otherwise - no. Of course I only support 12 servers and 200 XP workstations, that might not be a large enough sample.

Re:BSOD

[Zorilla]

You sir, are trying to install ATI Mobility drivers which are only provided by the computer manufacturer. If you have issues with the video drivers, take it up with Toshiba. I'm surprised they're even providing 2k3 drivers. HP seems to only offer XP drivers, which means we had to scrap a perfectly good laptop for our Windows 2000-only environment back in 2003 during a desert deployment I had in the Air Force.

By the way, has Toshiba improved at all within the last couple of years? I've seen nothing but shitty laptops from them which don't have the ability to smooth stretch non-native resolutions, are only able to access BIOS setup features through a Windows-only frontend and seem to have no ability to do hardware-accelerated full motion video (which has been part of most PCs' video hardware since 1996).

Inanimate?

[Peyna]

Now we are letting inanimate objects raise our kids! When will it end?

What good is an inanimate robot?

Safe?

[Merlin_1102]

I don't think this is a good idea. What happens if a kid bumps his head and knocks himself out. I guess the robot could quickly call someone. That's fine. What happens if a kid falls in a swimming pool. If the robot calls someone, by the time they arrive it might be too late where as a human might be able to do something else. Then again if you let your kids play by the pool I think you should ask yourself some questions.

Re:And what about...

[Tim C]

Personally, I wouldn't trust any security system that doesn't involve a warm body to successfully recognise the difference between an expected visitor and a potential attacker/thief.

Image recognition just isn't that good yet, imho.

Re:I propose a story writing contest

[voorth]

Harry Harrison beat you to it. Remember "I Always Do What Teddy Says" ?

The Prophecy of Laurie Anderson

[TPFH]

Oh Superman [bbc.co.uk]

'Cause when love is gone, there's always justice. And when justive is gone, there's always force. And when force is gone, there's always Mom. Hi Mom! So hold me, Mom, in your long arms. So hold me, Mom, in your long arms. In your automatic arms. Your electronic arms. In your arms. So hold me, Mom, in your long arms. Your petrochemical arms. Your military arms. In your electronic arms.

Here come the planes.... [gatech.edu]