Humanoids replace city lifelines By: Kasmin Fernandes December 20, 2005 Japanese scientists may have spent millions inventing robot receptionists, waiters, housekeepers and more recently, ballroom dancers. But Mumbai has its own range of robotic humanoids who come absolutely free!
Your Lifereviews the most popular models.
1. Udipi waiter
Function: Lays out food at your table.
Defect: Can do too much of a good thing.
Rama Pujari, 31, is the quintessential Udipi waiter quick, quiet, subdued and mindful of his own business. In fact, the waiter at Sarangi restaurant, Andheri takes his work so seriously that you will have extra rice and puris dumped on your thali if you are not careful. This breed is found in abundance in restaurants that bear the Udipi only pure veg sign.
The moment you down a glass of water, it will automatically be replaced with one full of water, courtesy Rama. His eyes will never meet yours directly (though we suspect he knows exactly what you are gossiping about with your friend) except when you have gulped down your meal. At this point, any self respecting order taker looms over you with his hands clasped at the band and a toothy grin on his face.
2. Bus conductor
Function: Gathers change and pulls a rope tied to a bell.
Defect: Turns a deaf ear when duty calls.
We cant disregard the athletic agility of BEST drivers who balance a chillar peti, tickets, passengers and the bell and rope simultaneously. Its probably this balancing act that takes a toll on their reaction to an action.
Take for instance the fact that on a particularly chilly night in Kandivali, the drivers of three consecutive buses numbered 282 conveniently forgot to halt at the second bus stop.
When I finally managed to get into the running bus as it slowed down to tackle a turn, the conductor was nonchalant about his error. Despite raving and ranting at a pitch that couldve broken glass, he continued to look at his watch (time: 10.30 pm). Other passengers (read victims) joined in the protest, but were casually ignored.
A firm tug at the rope of the bell did not dissuade him from paying attention either. Meanwhile, his face remained motionless, unaffected and detached throughout the 30-minute journey. That he remembered to halt at my final stop was a surprise.
3. Rickshaw driver
Function: Drives you around.
Defect: Loves garish music and hates shortcuts.
Road rage takes on a new meaning when you see Kailash Jadhavs menacing eyes. Unlike the rickshaw drivers at Andheri station (both in the East and West) who wont drive you unless its bahut door ka bhada, Kailash doesnt discriminate among passengers. Yet, that makes him no different from our citys rickshaw men who wont tell you which street you are on, which is the shortest route or even which FM station airs on their crackling radio.
4. Store salesman
Function: Shows you the wares.
Defect: Sells you more than you can afford.
Thakurkhuman Singh (extreme right) has been working at Hemani & Sons, located at Malad, for years. So, its no surprise that when you ask for a pair of jeans in brown, he rapidly unfolds all the colours available, in true salesman style.
Step into any clothes store in the suburbs and you are surrounded by a bevy of eager men who will promise you exclusive designs in imported fabrics. And if youre unsure of the purchase, you will be persuaded into trying it on with: Iska get up accha hai. So that when you leave the store, your hands are full with bags of clothes you dont even need.
Cyber-receptionist Saya at the Tokyo University
of ScienceIn the news
AFP: After robot receptionists, house help and waiters, Japanese researchers have developed a robot capable of taking to the floor by predicting how its human partner will move.
The Partner Ballroom Dance Robot or PBDR in robot talk has a womans face, a sensor around its waist and can move in all directions on its three wheels hidden underneath an evening gown.
