Robotic Navi-Bear as Annoying as It Is Cute
In-car navigation systems with nagging voices have officially gone too far. IXs Research has developed a talking robotic teddy bear that not only gives you directions, it'll tell you when you've had too much to drink.
The prototype navi-bear features an alcohol-detection sensor embedded in its neck. If it catches a whiff of the one you had for the road, it'll ask, "You haven't been drinking, have you?" Accelerate too hard or brake too quickly and it yells, "Watch out!"
That would be enough to warrant tossing navi-bear straight out the window, but it's got one thing going for it -- not only does it tell you how to get where you're going, it points the way.
According to the U.S. distributor, KumoTek, Teddy Bear Robot incorporates a Fujitsu navigation system that provides voice guidance. TomTom already offers celebrity voices ranging from Mr. T ("I pity the fool who don't turn right!") to Dennis Hopper. But this is the first time anyone's had a teddy bear tell you where to go. Providing you don't tell it where to go first.
The prototype has six joints in its arms and neck so it can point the way and make gestures while giving you directions and screaming things like "Watch out!" Pat it on the head and it'll tell you where you are. It's even got optical sensors to remind you that it's dark and you should turn on your headlights.
KumoTek says the bear will be available in Japan soon, and the head of iXs Research says the company would like to offer robotic navigation systems "in other shapes and characters."
No word yet whether any of them will wag a finger in your face when you've had one too many or flip off that driver who cut you off.
Oh great. Instead of a digital map, they've invented a robotic back-seat driver (albeit one that sits on the dash).
Don't most all new cars already have optical sensors that turn the headlights on when it's dark? It seems redundant and ridiculously annoying to have the bear remind you.
And the accelerating/decelerating thing is just stupid... the human body is perfectly capable of feeling G-forces, thank you. I don't need a dumb bear telling me I'm accelerating... or IT'S going to be needing to "watch out".
Who, other than perhaps a japanese schoolgirl, is going to drive around with a teddy bear or any other sort of talking creature in the car? Good luck getting this to sell outside of Japan.
@The Navigator: Are you serious? Have you noticed the staggering number of idiots whose dashes are crammed with every conceivable stuffed animal, bobblehead, snow globe, religious trinket or just about any other knick-knack you can imagine? This certainly will sell here in the states. I hear the 2.0 version will incorporate an air freshener that shoots Febreze after you exit the car. No longer will you be reminded of last night's drunken binge when you open your car the next morning!
LOL, looks liek it might be nice for my 4 year olds tricycle.
Stick it inside a crocodile toy.
Hey presto, a navi gator.
I'm really actually quite sorry for suggesting this.
THIS IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING: http://www.spymac.com/details/?2369508
This brings back memories of Chryslers where it would annoying say "your door is ajar", of course I'd probably try to drive to make that bear totally freak out, it would be putting it's paws over it's eyes and shaking in fear
Next it will be a talking paper clip.
I want mine to look like "Toonces the driving cat"
You know, speaking of the Japanese schoolgirl, that would be a fun chassis idea...
http://www.bangbull.com/details/21698-6F8/Catalina_Cruz The Hottest Romanain woman ever is a genius
Annoying and cute. Navi is a more appropriate name than many will realize...
That is too funny. My kids would probably end up breaking it or I would toss it out the window.
as with all things with ridiculous and annoying features, all that matters is that you can turn it off.
I'd probably try to drive to make that bear totally freak out, it would be putting it's paws over it's eyes and shaking in fear
Posted by: sundance | Jun 18, 2008 12:35:59 PM
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Same here. What would it take to make the bear freak out so badly that it jumps out the window on it's own?
This looks like the perfect gift for someone you hate.
MAPS that talk.
Quite amazing ain't it??.
pull its paw to honk the horn
EDITOR: Joe Brown | 
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