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Ropid, the Dancing Humanoid Robot: Creepy or Cute?

by Leila Brillson on October 29, 2009 at 06:45 PM

Yesterday, our pals over at Engadget reported on Ropid, the humanoid robot that proudly parades around, runs in place, and hops a quarter of its own height (video above). Today, more videos emerged of the little guy, and some of the Switched staff was torn. Some of us were horrified, especially after seeing earlier in the week the Army-produced, disembodied pair of legs that can run in place and clearly points to a robot (r)evolution. Others saw the big eyes and rotating torso (which help with balance), and became charmed by the pint-sized, enthusiastically accommodating bot. We took an office poll, but be sure to chime in with your own comments. Ropid: Adorable droid or creepy computerized terror?
  • Thomas H: "Creepy. Imagine waking up with that standing next to you, dancing a horrible jig."
  • Terrence: "Creepy. It's subservience makes me uncomfortable. I know it's only a robot, but when someone asks you to jump you don't just nod and do it."
  • Leila: "Adorable. Look at those big eyes. It's like Pinocchio, but without the lying."
  • Lee: "Good Lord. Consider this my notice. If you need me, I'll be in my heavily fortified lean-to, deep in the woods." Guess that's creepy, right, Lee?
  • Warren: "Adorable for a few seconds... until it starts goose stepping."
  • Matt Z.: "Creepy. Behind those saucer-sized eyes is a droid waiting to jump adorably on your corpse."
  • Josh F. (Executive Producer): "Totally cute."


Verdict: Switched staff says creepy, but that doesn't mean we wouldn't play with it for hours... [From: Engadget]

Tags: adorable, bot, creepy, humanoid, robot, switched staff, SwitchedStaff, top

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