I’m Bill Tsutsui with another Postcard from Asia from the Center for East Asian Studies.
Here in Asia, Japanese running robots are so last season! If you’re in the market for a cutting-edge, network-upgradeable motorized pal – and who isn’t? – South Korea is where you want to shop. Robotis unveiled its RX model in February and claims it to be superior to Sony’s QRIO in a couple of ways: not only can it be upgraded from an outside network, it also recognizes your face and voice. Standing a hair short of two feet tall, with a top running speed of a blistering quarter mile per hour, the RX also has the good taste to be shorter and slower than you are. Can you put a price tag on this kind of selfless friendship? Well, yes. $2,000. But remember, it’s upgradeable.
With thanks to John Schneiderwind for this text, from the Center for East Asian Studies I’m Bill Tsutsui. Wish you were here.
