Being POTUS in 2014 definitely comes with uniquely modern obligations—in this case, playing a game of soccer in the Uncanny Valley. What does the robot say at the end of the video? “I have been training every day so sometime in the future I can…” I can what, Robot? Tell me when the uprising will begin!
The match took place yesterday when Obama visited the Miraikan Science Expo in Tokyo, Japan. Honda has been perfecting its ASIMO robot since 2000. The chipper l’il guy can now run, climb up a flight of stairs, pour itself a drink, recognize faces, and ingratiate itself to the leader of the free world.
After meeting ASIMO, Obama made a speech to students, saying
Young people like you have more technology and more power than even the greatest innovators of previous generations, so there is no limit to what you can achieve.
POTUS then went on to admit that ASIMO was “too lifelike” and “a little scary.” Obama probably has intell on a lot of technology more immediately dangerous than a lifelike robot, but I’m sure I’m not the only one that fears Honda’s disarmingly cute creation will one day be kicking a human head around instead of a ball… as a warning to others who dare to disobey.
(via Mashable, image via Honda)
