Conceptual YABO robot longs to be your friend

C'mon, who couldn't adore someone, er, something with a face like that? Pictured to the right is YABO, a conceptual robot that was apparently designed for "lonely, unmarried persons." If brought to reality, it would sport a myriad sensors including one for hearing, feeling and infrared, while also featuring a built-in camera, internal speaker, wheels and an LCD display. YABO can communicate with its (presumably single) owner by rotating and changing the color of its face, or it can just snap back responses if it's feeling talkative. Moreover, the bot could reportedly disable unused devices and adjust the temperature to save energy while you're out trying to find an actual human to love. Sounds like a real winner to us.

[Orpheus @ Oct 10th 2007 1:09AM]

Well if the communication doesn't help the "lonely, unmarried persons", it does have orifices.

[Typhoid Mary @ Oct 10th 2007 1:37AM]

Just what lonely, unmarried persons need--something that will make sure they stay lonely and unmarried.

[carb @ Oct 10th 2007 1:42AM]

Um....Where's the hole?

[jroc @ Oct 10th 2007 2:13AM]

It also needs to be a little bit taller before it can be my "friend".

[kris @ Oct 10th 2007 2:00AM]

I wonder how it would be able to control appliances. I need an appliance dictator.

[jroc @ Oct 10th 2007 3:17AM]

Heil YABOitler!

[JD Gonzales @ Oct 10th 2007 2:01AM]

It's a remastered furby!

[Bad Beaver @ Oct 10th 2007 2:40AM]

Will it get all sad or annoying once you actually bring someone home? AAAwwwww...

[-Tj- @ Oct 10th 2007 3:08AM]

It doesn't have boobs, I'm not interested. Har..!

[Sparky @ Oct 10th 2007 4:49AM]

YABO is a PUSSY !!!!

Sincerely,
Sparky the Aibo

[easymac30 @ Oct 10th 2007 6:47AM]

I, for one, welcome our cute, tiny, appliance-controlling overlords.

And shame on all of you for your "har har har, where's the hole? yuck yuck yuck" comments.

[remrof @ Oct 10th 2007 3:13PM]

hey buddy, that meme is dead. please stop.

[kenic @ Oct 10th 2007 6:50AM]

this robot looks almost same as this one:
http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/13/live-from-cebit-necs-papero-robot-for-home/

[Mc Snails @ Oct 10th 2007 6:55AM]

I like to get drunk and beat the crap out of my YABO.

[easymac30 @ Oct 10th 2007 6:58AM]

I really want a robot like 343 Guilty Spark, minus the plot to destroy all sentient life in the galaxy.

It would fly around humming to itself, taking care of my place, and be pretty awesome for conversation.

[Steve C @ Oct 10th 2007 7:10AM]

Wow, I didn't realize that Engadget reported on Coroflot portfolio pieces... I mean, this guy might not have even placed in the Robot Design Competition 2007. As best I can tell it's a school competition for an industrial design school in Korea. What are the legitimate chances of this getting produced? slim to none, I'd guess.

[Steve C @ Oct 10th 2007 7:18AM]

actually, this is a far cooler design of his:
http://coroflot.com/public/individual_file.asp?sort_by=1&portfolio_id=610460&individual_id=163926

If you're going to report on his stuff, you might as well pick the cool stuff. ;)