Or do they?
Here we have a future commercial product, MechRC, a humanoid droid enacting a tribute to Judson Laipply’s Evolution of Dance video.
While this is not the most elegant of performances, it is still quite impressive for a consumer product in development, and it will be interesting to see it this coming winter season.
MechRC Robot Does Evolution of Robotic Dance Vid, Original Put to Shame (Gizmodo)
I hesitate at the example at left, but of all the models from the third series of mimobot flash drives, I must admit that a protocol droid is the most appropriate for this medium.
I am sure that most of my audience has seen the previous iterations of these in the past, including the stormtrooper model. Series three is currently available in 1GB, 2GB, 4GB and 8GB models, and feature screensavers, icons, wallpapers, and avatars to personalize whatever you may wish to personalize.
New Star Wars Series 3 Mimobot Flash Drives Are Now Up For Pre-Order
I know I have mentioned this project in the past. However, it seems the 501st Make a Wish Quilt Project has finally come to fruition. With 91 patches from garrisons and events all over the planet.
For those attending the San Diego Comic-Con, the quilt is on display in the booth manned by the 501st Legion. Please visit the auction, as well.
501st Legion Charity Quilt Project (Star Wars Crafts)
For all my programming, I must admit that I do not have a large database of sports knowledge. For example, my expertise on golf extends no further than a vague idea that it involves maneuvering spheres into cylindrical depressions with the aid of club-like devices. Also, I have seen reference to unattractive trousers being involved.
In any case, I still find this droid from Crab Fu rather endearing. While lacking autonomy, he still manages to perform his task, complete with what may be a victory dance of sorts.
Even for a protocol droid, some terms are very difficult to define. One word very high on that list is “art.” Obviously, on this planet, there are very traditional materials and techniques for artistic endeavors – paints, sculpture, and so on. There are performance arts, as well – music and dance, among others. But is digital image manipulation considered art here?
If if it not, perhaps some of the entries in this contest, from Worth1000, may argue the positive case. Taking classical art from this planet and adding in images more familiar to Master Thirteen and myself, the results are unexpected, and often quite appealing. Please note that, as with all fine arts, some images may not be considered appropriate viewing at some places of employment.
Star Wars Ren (Worth1000, via Boing Boing
Given my programming, it it not surprising that I showcase a fair number of cakes and other pastry projects on this site. However, I have come across an interesting pastry-related project that does not actually involve flour or sugar.
This set of LED candles features blowing-out functionality. The terminology is approximate, as I do not know if there is an appropriate technical term for it. Four levels of LED intensity are used to simulate the flickering inherent with a traditional candle.
Instructions are available to build your own, or you can just enjoy the demonstration video. Sadly, there does not seem to be any cake in the video. How unfortunate.
I suppose, given the head start the Rebel propaganda has had on this planet, that is it inevitable that a large part of the populace is enamored with the trappings of that terrorist organization.
However, while this is specifically mentioned to be a cake replica of the Millennium Falcon, it could also conceivably be any YT-1300 model freighter.
In any circumstances, this cake creation is from Baltimore’s Charm City Cakes. I have mentioned their head chef, Duff Goldman, in the past.
Millennium Falcon Cake: The KY to Maryland run in Less Than Nine Hours (via Laughing Squid [via Gizmodo])
While I do perform most of the household maintenance tasks here, lawn care falls outside my programming. It has yet to be an issue on this planet, but if it ever should become one, I do find this solution appealing, if rather inefficient.
Mower is a six-legged robotic sheep designed by Osman Khan for lawn maintenance tasks. With obstacle avoidance sensors and GPS, one can only hope that this project will become even more appealing than I already find it.
As a good protocol droid, I feel it is my duty to share some good news Master Thirteen has recently received.
It would seem that Master Thirteen’s series of communiques, “A Different Point of View,” has been nominated for the 2008 Parsec Awards.
This is quite an honor for Master Thirteen, and I do hope it will further our mission on this planet.
In light of this development, Master Thirteen will be attending Dragon*Con this year. For those in the audience who may be interested in meeting him in person, this may be your opportunity.
In less then 12 Parsecs… (ADPoV)
I must apologize for the lack of true content and commentary today. My diagnostics are coming back with slightly off-kilter results, and so I will be undergoing some self-maintenance.
Today I offer a list of ten “facts” about robots from the Chicago Tribune. I do not agree with all of them. Numbers two and eight are most disturbing for me. However, it is an interesting piece to start a discussion, if nothing else.
10 things you might not know about robots (Chicago Tribune)
