I am now authorized to use physical force

zuzu

#1 – 10:27 AM March 14, 2009

Laugh at the Japanese now if you want, but they've been working on the problem of elder care entitlements and a contracting population (while increasing per-capita productivity through mechanization and automation) for decades ahead of the rest of the world.

Their R&D will have solved the problems that the United States will sooner license or lease from Japan than invent themselves for the retirement of the baby boomer generation.

Now go watch Roujin Z (1991)!

dculberson

#2 – 10:47 AM March 14, 2009

More dignity than a Segway.

w000t

#3 – 11:34 AM March 14, 2009

I can't find a video, but Top Gear did a shortish segment on this. Richard Hammond got to ride one of these around inside Toyota's HQ and a bit around the roads outside their building in Toyota City. It reclines for faster travel (up to about 20mph, IIRC) and the wheels and various body segments articulate to lean into corners.

malex

#4 – 11:45 AM March 14, 2009

I would have gone with a Captain Pike reference, myself...

Agies

#5 – 12:29 PM March 14, 2009

One beep for yes two beeps for no.

killdeer

#6 – 12:32 PM March 14, 2009

@4 *flash*

arkizzle / Moderator

#7 – 6:33 PM March 14, 2009

Agies

http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/154613/

:D

Anonymous Anonymous

#8 – 6:43 PM March 14, 2009

You have 10 seconds to comply.

clothingoptional

#9 – 7:21 PM March 14, 2009

All the world'll fly in a flurry
When I take you out in the surrey,
When I take you out in the surrey with the fringe on top!!

col_pogo

#10 – 9:29 PM March 14, 2009

W000T:
http://www.truveo.com/Top-Gear-Toyota-Chair/id/3869474833

spazzm

#11 – 5:10 PM March 15, 2009

That's not a robot.

It's an entry in "Pimp My Wheelchair".

phillamb168

#12 – 7:02 AM March 16, 2009

No seatbelt?

Grozbat

#13 – 8:02 AM March 16, 2009

Cool. Just need something to keep the rain off...

Anonymous Anonymous

#14 – 9:58 AM March 16, 2009

Put some bodywork on the front and put a toilet seat on it... see where I'm going? You got me...

josephlrc

#15 – 10:05 AM March 16, 2009

Zuzu, happily we do a little better with immigration policy so it will take us a bit longer to have their problems. The real winners of the Japanese investment are the Europeans.