Roboexotica Event Pours Drinks in Vienna

WildBlue is pretty sure that, if robots were pouring drinks, James Bond would probably have a different vibe to it. That's precisely what's happening this weekend at the 9th annual Roboexotica event in Vienna. The always-popular cocktail robot awards will be decided on Sunday, by a very happy judging panel. From the article: "'It's all about the flair, the atmosphere and the personality that a robot can have,' said Magnus Wurzer, ducking a bunch of cocktail cherries launched by a robot in one corner of the hall to another holding a drink at the other end. The cherries miss their target and hit onlookers. 'The robots shouldn't be efficient,' Wurzer said. 'They shouldn't behave like they were in a factory, they should be cultured and urbane.' In 1999, Wurzer, a 36-year-old robot lover and artist, helped launch Roboexotica. They are not trying to build commercially viable robots or gadgets that look like humans. Rather, they aim to assemble machines that display a unique mechanical charm and personality."

the ultimate cocktail waitress

[macadamia_harold]

That's precisely what's happening this weekend at the 9th annual Roboexotica event in Vienna. The always-popular cocktail robot awards will be decided on Sunday, by a very happy judging panel.

I'm not interested until they combine one of those cocktail robots with a realdoll [realdoll.com].

Re:

[pipingguy]

and kiss my non-reflecting fleshy ass.

Genuine People Personalities

[scopius]

I'd really like to see one of these machines be able to do a scan on your taste buds, and a brain scan on your pleasure zones to see what turns you on, and then dispense a drink that is almost, but not entirely, unlike tea.

Re:

[pafrusurewa]

It's "almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea."

That's my favourite phrase of the entire series. Way too beautiful to be altered in any way.

Re:

[ikkonoishi]

You must be using a weird font. It is spelled with an "x" not an "r".

captcha = "concur" Slashdot agrees with me.

So,

[dangitman]

Can you fuck them? If not, then they are nothing like a real cocktail waitress.

Re:

[mobby_6kl]

Tssss, quiet! You don't want them to think you're robosexual or anything.

Re:

[megastructure]

What?!?!

Oh, I thought you said Romosexual.

Re:

[CCFreak2K]

I guess you, like me, read it as Roboerotica

Re:

[somersault]

I can't help but think that it would be easier just to go and make friends than design and build a fully functioning android (which is itself may be 'making' friends, but..).. oh crap, sorry, forgot I was on /. for a second there

shades of bladerunner

[non]

'nuff said

Re:

[smallfries]

... or Office Space.

'It's all about the flair, the atmosphere and the personality that a robot can have,'

Seriously, how many pieces of flair does a robot need to have to express personality? Is it seventeen? ...

... the usual?

[symes]

Now what we need here is face recognition software, a database of cocktails cross referenced with emotions and access to each drinkers' personal 'myspace drink preference' database... then we're really beginning to get personalised service. Add in the world joke compendium, the database of unbelieveable stories that were actually true the widescreen tv accessory so you don't miss a moment of the game while you order then we're really getting somewhere.

Re:

[Das Modell]

Even with all that, it sounds very uninspiring. It's not like it has any intelligence, let alone sentience. Just simple software and primitive robotics. A gimmick. Real AI is what we need.

Re:

[somersault]

Why do you need 'real AI' to get a drink? We may need what you call 'real' AI for some tasks, but if you're wanting to design sentient beings to prepare your toast* or deliver a drink then you have missed the point a little. Just because you can do something, does not mean you should. Example [thedailywtf.com]

* yes, I've read/seen Red Dwarf, and so should you ;)

Where's the pics, other than a Robby look-a-like?

[Salvance]

I wish they'd show some pictures, other than showing a single drawing of a robot that looks exactly like Robby from Forbidden Planet. Although, Robby does "display a unique mechanical charm and personality" ...

Re:

[Anonymous Coward]

There ya go: http://roboexotica.org/photos/index.htm [roboexotica.org]

Quick save the booze!

[jackb_guppy]

Does not every one know that Bender units need alcohol to run?

This will just drink up profits!

Reports Say...

[Anonymous Coward]

Reports say that after drinking a nice Shiraz, the cultured, sophisticated robot with a machine gun on his head [slashdot.org] immediately began a search [slashdot.org] for the nearest source of prosciutto-tasting meat. [slashdot.org]

"They shouldn't behave like they were in a factory, they should be cultured and urbane." Even coordinator Magnus Wurzer said. "Robots like Jimmy might even need to learn to feel guilt."

Cool, but

[supertsaar]

I sure hope the guys that made the website had nothing to do with the robotics...

Worlds first robotic bar

[suds]

I remember visiting this place about 5 yrs back..I think it is closed down now. http://www.cynbar.co.uk/ [cynbar.co.uk]

pangalactic gargle blaster

[Anonymous Coward]

Forget about realdolls, I want a unit that can mix me a nice pangalactic gargleblaster!

Re:

[garry_g]

You probably don't have enough heads to survive it ... (2 head minimum ;) )

There's only one robot bartender for me!

[phillymjs]

iZac! [rogueamoeba.com]

~Philly

Re:

[orkysoft]

Gimme your biggest, strongest, cheapest drink!

Well nuts

[interstellar_donkey]

In the past month, I've learned about how a robot has developed a taste for human flesh [wired.com] (tastes like bacon, says the robot) and now this. I'm excited for the future, sure, but I'm also a little concerned. It's safe to assume that in another 20 years, robots will be everywhere. It'll likely be the next giant technological leap, now that we've all grown to adopt the personal computer and the Internet. As a general rule I like technological progress, not to mention the fact that I've always thought robots were pretty cool.

But it's becoming apparent that tomorrow's robots won't be polite and gay, like C3P0. They're going to end up crude and destructive, like Bender from Futurama. We're already at the point where we have to worry about robots eating us. According to this article, we now have to worry about robots throwing food at us, trying to make time with our women, questioning our sexuality in public, and stealing our booze and cigarettes. In tomorrow's world, it won't be factory workers concerned about losing their jobs to robots, it'll be our hard working slackers. The day will come when my scrounging buddy asks to bum a smoke or for another beer, and we'll have to tell him 'Oh, sorry man. I gave my last one to the robot'. Then he'll try to punch the robot in the stomach but will break his hand on the hard steel while the robot flings insulting remarks at him followed by cherries.

Some day I hope to have kids. Can you imagine how difficult it will be if I discover my daughter is dating a robot? I can see it now, as my sweet child looks up to me with her innocent wide eyes and says "Daddy, I want you to meet my boyfriend Altair 3814". The frustration will be maddening. If I say a single disparaging remark about her new beau, my robot heart and liver will think I'm prejudiced and refuse to work. "I ain't going to keep some asshole humey (yes, they'll call us 'humies') alive if he's gonna put down my robot brothers" they'll say. So I'll have to just smile nervously as my beautiful baby girl displays her affection towards some machine in my home, and live in constant fear of her getting zapped with lasers by some female robot pissed off because "all the good robot men are chasing humey tail. I'll show those bio-sacks not to mess with our boys"

Really.

My only hope now is that Skynet becomes self aware before my daughter reaches puberty, and slaughters us all in the first wave of the robot wars. Sure, we'll all be dead, but at least I'll never have to suffer countless indignities at the hands of uppity robots.

Wake me up when...

[blankoboy]

Eldon Tyrell has created Rachael and Pris models available to do my "every" bidding.

James Bond would *not* be pleased

[RealGrouchy]

James Bond would not be pleased with an electronic drink mixer, particularly the touch-screen version from Diebold...

Computer: Please select your drink.

Bond: Martini (shaken)

Computer: You have selected Martini (stirred).

Bond: Argh! Cancel!

Computer: Drink order cancelled. Please select your drink.

Bond: Martini (shaken)

Computer: You have voted for George W. Bush.

- RG>

Photos and video

[Zarnoff]

Photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/roboexotica/ [flickr.com]

Video:
http://www.geekentertainment.tv/2006/12/10/roboexo tica-2006-in-vienna/ [geekentertainment.tv] ..and more:
http://tinynibbles.com/violetblue.html [tinynibbles.com]

Not impressed

[Servo]

I guess this was one of those events you had to be there for. I just can't get excited looking at their gallery. A very low percentage of the pics seem to be of any robots, and the ones of the robots don't look all that flashy.

You didn't hear it from me.

[StikyPad]

Don't tell anyone, but I heard that robots are already responsible for pouring the majority of liquids into bottles in the first place.