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Robotic Sunflower Simulates the Thrilling Movements of ... a Plant

by Lee Bains on August 17, 2009 at 10:30 AM


When we were kids, we couldn't wait for the day the robots would take over. At best, the world would be filled with R2D2s and C3POs -- fun-loving, intelligent, friendly electro-critters. At worst, we'd be surrounded by 'Terminator'-style droids -- bloodthirsty, terrifying, ruthless, and totally awesome. Sadly, it's become abundantly clear that we're closer to getting something like Rainbow Brite's dog than an autonomous A.I. companion. Science has, though, presented us with countless close-but-no-cigar robots -- designs that might pique our interest, but won't be driving us to the store anytime soon.

The latest installment, designed at Kyushu University, is the above, robotic sunflower, named Himawari. Able to follow your movements as a real sunflower would the sun, its LED-studded 'face' lights up whenever you give it a wave hello. Couldn't we at least equip this thing with a death ray? It isn't that much to ask. They had deadly warrior flora even back in the olden days. [From: Engadget]

Tags: flowers, japan, novelty, plants, robot

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