Rolling Robot Takes The Tunes With You, Thanks To The Ipod

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— September 2, 2006 — Tech
The new Japanese robot Miuro turns an iPod music player into a dancing boombox-on-wheels.

The 14-inch-long machine from ZMP Inc. blares music as it rolls and twists from room to room. The robot, which looks like a ball popping out of an egg, has a speaker system from Kenwood Corp.

Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod player locks into the top of the robot, which comes in white, black, yellow or red.

The $930 Miuro -- short for "music innovation based on utility robot technology" -- responds to a handheld remote control. It receives wireless signals from a PC to play music from iTunes and other programs.

At a demonstration in Tokyo, the 11-pound Miuro did a preprogrammed vacuum-cleaner-like dance, rolling about and pivoting to music.

"This is a robot version of music-on-the-move that's so popular," said Miuro designer Shinichi Hara, who also creates album jackets for Japanese pop stars.

"I designed it to have a gentle look because it becomes a part of everyday life by integrating robotics and music," Hara said.

Trend Themes

  1. Robotics in Entertainment — The Miuro robot demonstrates the potential for robots to enhance entertainment experiences by combining music and motion.
  2. Wireless Music Streaming — The Miuro robot showcases the convenience and versatility of wirelessly streaming music from devices like iPods and PCs.
  3. Integration of Robotics and Everyday Life — The Miuro robot highlights the integration of robotics and music into everyday life, opening up opportunities for personalized and interactive experiences.

Industry Implications

  1. Consumer Electronics — The consumer electronics industry can explore the development of more innovative and interactive devices that combine music and robotics.
  2. Entertainment — The entertainment industry can utilize robotics to create immersive experiences where robots become interactive companions that enhance the enjoyment of music.
  3. Home Automation — The home automation industry can leverage the integration of robotics and music to develop smart systems that provide personalized and intelligent music streaming throughout homes.
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