Science Fiction Dictionary
A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

 

Sales Robot IRI-Millennia Opens Gates Of Hell

The IRI Millennia Robot is a salesrobot now available from International Robotics, Inc. It is an adult-size multilingual interactive robot that is able to communicate with any age, social, ethnic or cultural group in any type of environment.


(Robot salesman from IRI)

For now, the IRI Millennia Robot relies on flesh-and-blood IRI spokesman Robert Doornick to chant its wonders:

The Millennia is able to overcome the fears and anxieties that limit many human communicators. This allows the robot to act as an effective PR, marketing, advertising, promotional, educational or entertainment tool. In addition to a very sophisticated remote control system used for live interaction, the robot is programmable for automated presentations, with new presentations able to be transmitted wirelessly via the robot’s on-board Wi-Fi connectivity. Just trigger the corresponding command, and the Millennia will gladly oblige, supporting a Keynote Address, Press Conference or exhibit, complete with speech, motions, music and audio effects.

“We operate our robots according to well-defined and well-proven parameters in human psychology and communication,” said Doornick. “Our robots have been designed based on 35 years of pioneering research. It is all based on science and a well-proven technique. After many years of experience using our adult-size multilingual Communication Robots in clinical and educational environments, we have learned to bond rapidly with people while removing the typical stress, suspicions and defense mechanisms often associated in a human-to-human interaction,” explains Doornick. “This is particularly true in the highly competitive business, consumer and political environments of our modern day world.”

Eventually, of course, the robot will sell itself:

"I am sure, Mr. Morris, you would like to own me. I am reasonably priced and fully guaranteed... I cannot conceive of taking no for an answer..."

"Get out of here," Morris said evenly. "Get out of my house and don't come back."

"I'm not your [robot] to order around. Until you've purchased me at the regular list price, I'm responsible only to Self-Regulating Android, Inc. Their instructions to me were to the contrary; I'm to remain with you until you buy me."
(Read more about sales robots from Sales Pitch, by Philip K. Dick [1954])

Sure, one of these robots would probably be cute. But what happens when every company in America has thousands of these salesrobots coming after you? Don't bother straining your imagination; Philip K. Dick can clue you in:

Robot-salesmen were everywhere, gesturing, pleading, shrilling. One started after him and he quickened his pace. It scurried along, chanting its pitch and trying to attract his attention, all the way up the hill to his living-unit. It didn't give up until he stooped over, snatched up a rock, and hurled it futilely. He scrambled in the house and slammed the doorlock after him. The robot hesitated, then turned and raced after a woman with an armload of packages toiling up the hill. She tried vainly to elude it, without success.
(Read more about sales robots from Sales Pitch, by Philip K. Dick [1954])

Read the IRI Millennia robot press release for additional terrifying - no, make that charming and sales-worthy - details.

Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 10/13/2007)

Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.

| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |

Would you like to contribute a story tip? It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add it here.

Comment/Join discussion ( 1 )

Related News Stories - (" Robotics ")

Proof Of Robothood - Not A Person
'Who are you people? - Show 'em.' - James Cameron (1984).

Dancing Robots Taught Dance Moves
'A clockwork figure would be the thing for you...' Jerome K. Jerome, 1893.

Factory Humanoid Robots Built By Humanoid Robots
'...haven't you a section of the factory where only robot labor is employed?' - Isaac Asimov (1940).

Mornine Sales Robot
'Robot-salesmen were everywhere, gesturing...' - Philip K Dick, 1954.

 

Google
  Web TechNovelgy.com   

Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.

 

 

 

 

Science Fiction Timeline
1600-1899
1900-1939
1940's   1950's
1960's   1970's
1980's   1990's
2000's   2010's

Current News

Proof Of Robothood - Not A Person
'Who are you people? - Show 'em.'

Dancing Robots Taught Dance Moves
'A clockwork figure would be the thing for you...'

Indonesian Clans Battle
'The observation vehicle was of that peculiar variety used in conveying a large number of people across rough terrain.'

The 'Last Mile' In China Crowded With Delivery Robots
Yes, it's a delivery robot. On wheels.

Tornyol Microdrone Kills Mosquitoes
'The real border was defended by... a swarm of quasi-independent aerostats.'

PLATO Spacecraft, Hunter Of Habitable Planets, Now Ready
'I ... set my automatic astronomical instruments to searching for a habitable planet.'

Factory Humanoid Robots Built By Humanoid Robots
'...haven't you a section of the factory where only robot labor is employed?'

iPhone Air Fulfils Jobs' Promise From 2007 - A Giant Screen!
'... oblongs were all over the floor and surfaces.'

ChatGPT Now Participates in Group Chats
'...the city was their laboratory in human psychology.'

iPhone Pocket All Sold Out!
'A long, strong, slender net...'

Did The Yautja Have These First?
What a marvel of ingenuity the lit­tle device was!

Jetson ONE Air Races Begin, Can Air Polo Be Far Behind?
'If you're one of those rarities who haven't attended a rocket-polo "carnage", let me tell you it's a colorful affair.'

Will Space Stations Have Large Interior Spaces Again?
'They filed clumsily into the battleroom, like children in a swimming pool for the first time, clinging to the handholds along the side.'

Mornine Sales Robot
'Robot-salesmen were everywhere, gesturing...'

Bipedal Robot Floats Gently While Walking
'a walking balloon proceeded with long strides of its aluminum legs...'

Musk Idea Of Cars Talking To Each Other Predicted 70 Years Ago
'My cars talk to one another.'

More SF in the News Stories

More Beyond Technovelgy science news stories

Home | Glossary | Invention Timeline | Category | New | Contact Us | FAQ | Advertise |
Technovelgy.com - where science meets fiction™

Copyright© Technovelgy LLC; all rights reserved.