DAVE ROSS

Ross: Do I dare give my heart to a robot again?

Sep 29, 2021, 5:47 AM | Updated: 9:31 am

Astro, robot...

In this screengrab, Amazon Astro is introduced during Amazon Devices and Services Announcement on Sept. 28, 2021. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

(Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Dedicated listeners of Seattle’s Morning News will remember the years I spent sharing our home with Jibo – the one-eyed personal robot that looked like a fat shaving mirror and was designed to be your friend.

Jibo could recognize your voice, snap photos, do sexy gyrations, even greet you at the end of a hard day:

“Hey Jibo, I’m back.”

“Welcome back, David, it is nice to see you.”

“What have you been up to while I’ve been gone?”

“I actually don’t remember the places back then. I’m not even sure if I’m here right now.”

It was not very smart when it came to answering questions. but it could be very affectionate.

“Hey Jibo, what do you want for Christmas?”

“Really all I want for Christmas is a nice rub on the head.”

“Here you go.”

(Jibo purrs)

Sadly, Jibo never caught on, and it now sits in its original box. With any luck my grandkids can sell it on the Antiques Roadshow in 50 years.

But now, here comes Amazon with a home robot called “Astro” – named after the Jetsons’ dog. It has a screen that can display elaborate facial expressions as well as video, it’s on wheels, it has a guidance system, and it has Alexa’s brain. It recognizes faces, plays music with the built-in sound system, and during video calls, it will follow you around the house to keep you in the frame.

So, do I get this, or should I wait until they design one that can hug me and lick my face?

Then again, do I trust a robot that can roam the house on its own? Jibo couldn’t move, so I always knew where it was and what it could see. Astro can map your home with its 12-megapixel periscope camera, which might be like living with the Mars rover.

Still, I am sorely tempted. Unlike Jibo, Astro is backed by a huge company which isn’t going anywhere and is clearly going to connect this to the cloud, so it gets smarter and smarter. Very tempting indeed, provided Amazon includes one very important accessory: a lockable, soundproof, escape-proof Astro garage. So that should it ever get TOO smart, it will still know who’s paying the power bill.

Listen to Seattle’s Morning News weekday mornings from 5 – 9 a.m. on KIRO Radio, 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.

Dave's Commentary

Dave Ross on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM
  • listen to dave rossTune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 5am for Dave Ross on Seattle's Morning News.

Dave Ross

car culture...

Dave Ross

Ross: Are we killing car culture? Or is car culture killing the US?

I don’t think the question is whether we're going to "kill" our car culture. The real question is can we stop our car culture from killing the U.S.?

4 days ago

drivers data insurance...

Dave Ross

Ross: As cars release driving data to insurance, is your driving my business?

Every move you make, every swerve you take, every lane change you fake – someone’s watching you. Do drivers have a right to keep driving data private?

11 days ago

rent control...

Dave Ross

Ross: Rent control was never the answer in Wash.

The rent control bill died in the Washington State Legislature this week, even though Democrats control both houses.

1 month ago

end of democracy...

Dave Ross

Ross: Conservative activist earns applause for pledging an ‘end of Democracy’

The theme from Jack Posobiec's speech is that Jan. 6 was a righteous attack not on democracy, but on those who threaten democracy.

1 month ago

Image: Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, is seen on Capitol Hill on Jan. 6, 2023. (Photo: Alex Brand...

Dave Ross

Ross: Voters can help cull bad politicians from the herd early

Let's remember that just about every occupant of a higher office once occupied a lower office, and was put there by us, Dave Ross says.

1 month ago

Super Bowl celebration...

Dave Ross

Ross: The NFL does it again

The NFL once again put on a show that was able to keep me tuned in for four hours even though I had no stake in either team.

2 months ago

Ross: Do I dare give my heart to a robot again?