Human [Hearts] Robot

So it seems that Bob's massive popularity*, as well as the stardom of close relatives and friends Brushhead Betina and BH Bing, all stems from a larger tide of intimacy in human-robot relationships. And there's no better way of knowing that something's for real than to see the announcement of an academic conference on the topic.

Yes, it's true...click on the image to read more about it: Leiden University in the Netherlands is all set to host the 3rd International Conference on Human-Robot Personal Relationships next year. True to form, papers will be given, workshops led, and prototype demonstrations will even be held. Perhaps the extended Brushhead family should make a visit?

The only thing that Bob and other like-minded bots might be wondering about, however, is the curious inclusion of the word "personal" in the title. Is there any other kind?

*Undocumented claim. Please revise.

A disruption in the bobforce

While surfing the internet this evening, Human Companion noticed a disturbing image that, if discovered by you-know-who, might cause profound metaphysical angst in the little guy:

This might give us pause for reflection:

How did you react when you learned that you weren't the only one in the world with your first name? That your parents weren't the only parents in the world? That your head-mounted highlighter and wireclip were in fact manufactured according to the master plan of a higher power?

Just hope HE doesn't see this...

Bob: "Don't cross the line"

(pic from SFGate.com links to article)





After recharging his batteries for a week or so, Bob makes a comeback in a big way, marching and chanting at the UC Berkeley and pan-California Walkout and Teach-in protesting rising fees, university privatization, and labor inequality for small robots with brushheads.

Here Bob's glad to get a lift from another human companion. Thanks Ellen!!

And big big thanks to BHBetina's mom Usree for the pics!

Climbing art

When there's electricity in the air, Bob's out the door. Yesterday's clouds and humidity brought him first to Hayes Valley in San Francisco, where his human companion caught up with a few good friends.

 And then from the valley to the hills above, enjoying the company of the almost sultry air and fat raindrops.

 

It looks like San Francisco...

  

but today feels different...

 

The future of education, technology, and Bob

This just in, a live view of Bob at Allan Collins' lecture in the Graduate School of Education @ UC Berkeley, taking in the argument that technological advances in recent decades are antithetical to the traditional goals of schools. Can technology and schools be considered as independent variables in and of themselves? What about the role of culture and politics?

Bob?

where's bob this morning? tell him to come home...

The warning signs are out. He's not walking straight. On some days his human companion says he can even smell something on his ex-ventilation. And the last straw was the discovery of a little botflask last week, hidden among a bunch of batteries.

That's right, Bob seems to be hitting the bottle pretty hard. Don't get me wrong, it must all be in good fun, but the thing is, since he keeps hanging out with people, he tends to, let's say, inherit drinks from them based on his good looks. And then drinking becomes literally like...swimming.

In this and a few upcoming posts, we'll follow Bob's drinking adventures and see if we can straighten the little guy out. Or root him on. I'm not sure which one yet.

Evidence is mounting--from the Eat Real street fest, from last week at Rei's, and even as far back as the summer in Korea. The pics above and below are the before and after shots from the poetry reading in SF from last week. You be the judge.

 

Bye-bye Maryland

Bob makes a special appearance at the Cal-Maryland game.