Photo Source:masaaki miyara

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Somehow I expected an electronic arf arf to that one. Everyone has been saying that robots are the next big thing. This statement would be more impressive if people had not been muttering this for two decades now. As it is, predictions in the 1980s promised hover space cars. Which was just about as far-fetched as the 4-day working week. But there is one man who has dreamed of ushering in a new era, filled with useful and chic robots. And that man is robot designer Tatsuya Matsui.

Founder of the aptly named Flower Robotics, Matsui has been pushing for wider use of robots in the everyday aspect of human lives. It would be a mistake to conjure up images of Futurama-style Bender as Matsui wishes for a harmonious marriage of functionality and elegance in his robots.

As an example, let me point to his two most well-known creations. First there is Posy. It can be best described as an adorable cherub. Well, is it just me or does the delicate nose and pointy face evoke a sigh that is usually reserved for cutest of lolcat pictures? Apparently this reaction was just what Matsui was hoping for. Posy is meant to dismiss that annoying prejudice of robots as menaces that can go awry at the flick of a button.

Next is the fascinating robot-mannequin called Palette. Apparently this robot can serve as both a link to the security network (or perhaps CCTV with tricksy habits?)and a sleek marketing tool. Where the latter is concerned, I believe it is meant to be a hi-tech attention grabber that reels in window-shoppers. At least that is the impression I got. On a side note, I do wonder if, during the late nights working on this design, Matsui happened to catch a glimpse of a rather famous Starship song from the good old days?

By the bye, for those of you who are keenly interested in Matsui, do check out this interview in Business Week. My favorite bit is his vision for Posy:

Posy is a work-in-progress. By the time I'm 60, my dream is to have Posy dance on the same stage as a ballerina at the opera house in Paris. If that happens, it will represent a true convergence of art and science. My other dream is to win corporate sponsorship for Posy to be a UNICEF ambassador.