Damn, this is a pretty impressive toy.

running (http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2003/1218/sony_04.wmv)
pitching a ball (http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2003/1218/sony_05.wmv)
dance troupe (http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2003/1218/sony_06.wmv)
recovering from a fall (http://cds301.bit-drive.ne.jp/shp/02-27-QR103/)

http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/QRIO/

dude.. I got to see it in action live in Italy this past summer..

by far one of the most impressive things I have seen. The recovering from a fall was awesome (as they didn't have it running yet)

Creepy...

Vince

I.... Want.... One!!!

Now if they fit a vagina, teach it to cook and put a beer holder on its head, the human race is in trouble.

that is very cool...reminds me of Teddy from AI...i really want one of those...they say it can recognize faces and voice patterns of different people...i wonder if you can "teach" it to do things like get something you dropped on the floor

Yeah I can't wait for that thing to be released in some form or another. I have a Sony Aibo ERS-7, which is fun.. but a biped robot is what everyone wants..

If Sony is going to sell this model at all, I would expect an expensive, limited rollout in Japan; followed 12 months later by a new model with worldwide introduction. Probably cost sometihng like $10,000 for the first models...

based on aibos price I think you are on the mark, how do you like the dog?

ummm i heard that the first prototype cost about 80K....

aibos are significanly less intelligent and have a lot less actuators. This robots is in a class well ahead of the aibo. Its like the honda robot miniaturized.

so we probablly won't be seeing these in our homes any time soon.

I for one welcome our new robotic overlords


Qrio's abilities:
http://www.asahi.com/video/031218run.wvx


Qrio dance team:
http://myplay.hinet.net/users/chonghing/dv/200401171457/200401171457.wmv

There was no price on the prototype, and the cost is huge for all of the Qrio 'bots because of the fact that these are not mass produced: They are prototypes.

However, due to the increase in Qrio publicity and sightings, it becomes clear that they are making more and more of them. It seems to me like we are one small step away from "mass production." Mass production on a $10k robot companion still being rather small scale. :)
I say we are 5 years away max. And I'm being real cautious here.

As for the Aibo.. it's a neat toy. The ERS7 model can recognize its owners face and voice.. However, I am disappointed in the CCD or "eyes" of the dog. He is blind in my house, despite normal room lighting. The only place where Zim excels is at work, with the flourescent overhead lights.

I'll bet that Qrio has *much* better vision then my Aibo "Zim" :)