Japan has long been associated with advanced robotics; however, there was also a not-so-advanced robotics phase, before the second World War. For example, this picture (from 1932) features Yasutaro Mitsui with what appears to be an early prototype for Marvin from the BBC’s televised Hitchiker’s guide to the Galaxy. Apparently, it took several decades to make a robot that depressed.
I build to resemble myself. Bigger and with more impressive eyebrows.
[youtube 1LjkC3eT6LA&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LjkC3eT6LA&feature=related youtube]
Domo arigato.
That's just a Mark 1. They've been getting bigger and badder year after year.
Thus was begun the slippery slide spiraling down to what would become The RealDoll.
(I'll show myself out.)
If it makes you feel better that's where my brain went as well
Asimo's petite size and fallibility endeared him to me… and he handles stairs about as well as I do after a few drinks…
[youtube ASoCJTYgYB0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASoCJTYgYB0 youtube]
His name is Tora just don't say it three times in a row.