The image above could serve as kind of robotic Rorschach test. What do you see? A cute little tripod help-o-bot, whose head is cocked curiously to the side, as though it's studying its new master to better serve his or her robotic needs? Or is it a three-legged killing machine, who's observing his new master's weaknesses, which it plans to exploit with its now-charging eye lasers?
Sadly, the answer's not as provocative as either of those two choices -- its actually a photo of a Project Natal prototype, as nabbed by the Seattle Times. According to the report which includes the photograph, Natal units and iPhones are being produced in the same factory. We're terrified of the thought of these two consumer electronics cross-pollinating -- we're pretty sure that's how SkyNet got started.
[Via Siliconera]
Reader Comments (100)
Posted: Feb 4th 2010 1:45PM Captain Planet Planeteer Power said
Because it's the name of my energy drink, Captain Planet's Awesome™ Sauce.
I know what you're thinking, no it does not contain high fructose corn syrup. It's something else and it's kind of a secret recipe. I like to call it FAP FAP FAP™.
Reply
I know what you're thinking, no it does not contain high fructose corn syrup. It's something else and it's kind of a secret recipe. I like to call it FAP FAP FAP™.
Posted: Feb 4th 2010 11:16AM Zoot Suit Jedi Grammar Hammer En said
Reading comprehension fail.
Posted: Feb 4th 2010 11:21AM Zertoss said
It watches your every move and even stares directly into your soul. Just don't anger it, or that potentially hazardous laser will become definitely hazardous.
Posted: Feb 4th 2010 11:26AM Nook said
seeing prototypes is always cool. this one does remind me of J5 mixed in with some replicator.
i can picture it calling out hundred of smaller units from behind it to consume you on the couch.
i can picture it calling out hundred of smaller units from behind it to consume you on the couch.
Posted: Feb 4th 2010 11:27AM samfish said
Awww, isn't he just a wittwe Cutie-Bot 9000? Who's the cutest little robot ever? You are! Yes, YOU are! Awww, look at his little lazer light charg-
*peeeeeeeeeeeeeew*
ARGH! OH GOD THE LITTLE BASTARD ZAPPED ME! Right in the balls! I-I'm not sure I can have kids anymore... but he's still the cutest little Death-Bot ever.
*peeeeeeeeeeeeeew*
ARGH! OH GOD THE LITTLE BASTARD ZAPPED ME! Right in the balls! I-I'm not sure I can have kids anymore... but he's still the cutest little Death-Bot ever.
Posted: Feb 4th 2010 11:30AM ThePope said
I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that.
Posted: Feb 4th 2010 11:30AM CaptainProtonX said
Now THAT is fu@king hilarious.
Posted: Feb 4th 2010 11:32AM leobebes said
If you stare into its little red eye for 2 minutes, you will know the time, place, and date of your future death.
Posted: Feb 4th 2010 11:33AM Snake Robot Podium said
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEVVAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Posted: Feb 4th 2010 11:33AM Dante G said
IT IS WATCHING ME!!!
Posted: Feb 4th 2010 11:33AM (Unverified) said
Awesome!
Posted: Feb 4th 2010 11:34AM Ashitaka said
Terminatal
Posted: Feb 4th 2010 11:41AM oOWallaceOo said
Is this Battletoads ?
Posted: Feb 4th 2010 11:41AM The Tim said
The laser is to read the bar codes we are all eventually going to have to have tattooed on
Posted: Feb 4th 2010 11:46AM BoBsS said
Awesome
Posted: Feb 4th 2010 11:46AM Nova Hands said
I believe that laser is intended to etch a Microsoft bar code into your forehead.
Standard End User License Agreement stuff. I'm sure it'll be fine...
Standard End User License Agreement stuff. I'm sure it'll be fine...
Posted: Feb 4th 2010 12:05PM spid said
Wall-E?
Posted: Feb 4th 2010 12:09PM MGarvey said
OMG! It's a T-001! My nightmare is starting to come true! Gwah!!!!!
Posted: Feb 4th 2010 12:40PM jynxycat said
You think that's ugly? Go look at an image of a PSP Dev-kit. It makes you hate the PSP more than you already do.
Posted: Feb 4th 2010 12:46PM ShadowOp said
CLASS 1 LASER?! We're all doomed! DOOOOOOOOMED!
Posted: Feb 4th 2010 12:51PM Centaur said
So Natal is gonna be shooting a class 1 laser into my eyes at all times that it's powered on?
...sounds like a winner to me!
...sounds like a winner to me!
Posted: Feb 4th 2010 12:56PM (Unverified) said
jesus. i am so tired of skynet references whenever any kind of machine looks "scary" or "intelligent". seriously.
downvote me all you want, but this is the third freaking time i've seen such a reference just this morning.
downvote me all you want, but this is the third freaking time i've seen such a reference just this morning.
Posted: Feb 4th 2010 12:55PM (Unverified) said
I'M A COP YOU IDIOT!
Posted: Feb 4th 2010 12:57PM (Unverified) said
test test
Posted: Feb 4th 2010 1:06PM PedoJokerBear said
ITS STARING INTO MY SOUL.
Posted: Feb 4th 2010 1:35PM MrAlex said
* Reads 'class 1 laser' *
Yep, killing machine.
Yep, killing machine.
Posted: Feb 4th 2010 2:10PM Vash said
Is it just me or does anyone else feel as if that thing's puring into your soul...?
Posted: Feb 4th 2010 2:52PM Bones3D said
It's just a box like the Wii sensor bar. It's simply been attached to a Joby Gorilla Pod, a flexible tripod system with bendable legs. They probably are not part of the deal...
Posted: Feb 4th 2010 4:16PM Weirdo93 said
looks like somethin strait outta terminator.....
Posted: Feb 4th 2010 3:44PM armageddon said
As I said over at gamespy this morning:
Seeing this reminds me of an idea I had last night for the next xbox: take the Milo concept but apply it to each profile and make it customizable (kind of like avatars) so it's sort of like a personal AI for each user that gets to know the user for its profile. So you name it it, set its looks, and use it via voice command to do lots of things (like load a game, a movie, the market place, etc).
If MS did do this I'd so make a Cabal from C&C Tiberium Sun.
Seeing this reminds me of an idea I had last night for the next xbox: take the Milo concept but apply it to each profile and make it customizable (kind of like avatars) so it's sort of like a personal AI for each user that gets to know the user for its profile. So you name it it, set its looks, and use it via voice command to do lots of things (like load a game, a movie, the market place, etc).
If MS did do this I'd so make a Cabal from C&C Tiberium Sun.
Posted: Feb 4th 2010 5:37PM (Unverified) said
Player: Natal please turn off
Natal: I'm sorry dave but I cannot do that.
I really wouldn't be suprised if microsoft will create the HAL 9000
Natal: I'm sorry dave but I cannot do that.
I really wouldn't be suprised if microsoft will create the HAL 9000
Posted: Feb 4th 2010 6:00PM Rhamsey said
It's creeping me out.
Posted: Feb 4th 2010 7:15PM The Blank Mage Returns said
Ah, c'mon, it's obviously not a kill bot.
...Just the targeting device.
...Just the targeting device.
Posted: Feb 4th 2010 8:39PM Batzarro The worlds WOrst Detect said
"Disasemble?"
Posted: Feb 4th 2010 10:29PM (Unverified) said
Yes, this is shameless e-Peening, but also relevant and topical.
In the flagship event for the Global Game Jam 2010 (www.globalgamejam.com), Nordic Game Jam, Peter Molyneux showed up, delivered a 2 hour keynote, and made a live demonstration of Milo / Project Dimitri (named after his godsson, who was there as his assistant).
Aside from of course the Natal device being there, with the tech and all, the event was fantastic beyond description. Peter Molyneux is a truly inspiring man, contrary to my expectations of a PR windbag. Yes, as soon as he began to speak about Milo (and to a lesser degree Fable III), he went into his PR mode we all know and hate. But when he spoke about the industry and his past, he could really move a crowd. Gives you the impression that he doesn't do the game hyping out of spite, but because he's giddy like a schoolgirl about his own newest "baby".
In the flagship event for the Global Game Jam 2010 (www.globalgamejam.com), Nordic Game Jam, Peter Molyneux showed up, delivered a 2 hour keynote, and made a live demonstration of Milo / Project Dimitri (named after his godsson, who was there as his assistant).
Aside from of course the Natal device being there, with the tech and all, the event was fantastic beyond description. Peter Molyneux is a truly inspiring man, contrary to my expectations of a PR windbag. Yes, as soon as he began to speak about Milo (and to a lesser degree Fable III), he went into his PR mode we all know and hate. But when he spoke about the industry and his past, he could really move a crowd. Gives you the impression that he doesn't do the game hyping out of spite, but because he's giddy like a schoolgirl about his own newest "baby".
Posted: Feb 5th 2010 4:40PM Justravis said
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