| Title: | Meower Power is Valuing Differences |
| Notice: | FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY |
| Moderator: | MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO |
| Created: | Sun Feb 09 1986 |
| Last Modified: | Tue Jan 11 1994 |
| Last Successful Update: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Number of topics: | 5089 |
| Total number of notes: | 60366 |
I found this in SOAPBOX, and thought some of FELINE's readers would find it amusing. Of course, for us, no mechanical contraption could possibly replace a real cat! -b ================================================================================ SNOV04::NICHOLLS DECsoapbox 13-FEB-1985 00:21 Note #698 -< Does Chester have a future >- 1 response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Taken from a column in today's paper (no attribution): An American company called Axlon Inc has developed a robot cat for people who want companionship but not the inconvenience of cat litter and food. The cat is controlled by a microchip and can be programmed by its owner. Called Petster, it cries in response to voiced commands, purrs when petted, and rolls in various directions at the owner's hand clap. Axlon demonstrated it at the opening of the 82nd American International Toy Fair in New York yesterday. The company chairman, Nolan Bushnell, said the cat is an answer to the changing needs of society. As society becomes urban, he said, people increasingly need pets but have more trouble taking care of them. "We've been able to duplicate 80 percent of the functionality of a cat," Mr Bushnell said."An 80 cents can of cat food can be replaced with 10 cents worth of electricity." The cat, which has cottony gray fur, infrared eyes for detecting obstacles in its path, and a small set of wheels, will sell for about $100. But will it jump on the bed just as you're approaching orgasm. - michael
| T.R | Title | User | Personal Name | Date | Lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68.1 | USHS01::LAMPE | Wed Feb 13 1985 11:43 | 3 | ||
Since the price isn't mentioned, this object could be for the nouveaux riche or a child's toy, but certainly not for a lover of the personality, creativity, and warmth of a living pet. | |||||
| 68.2 | PSGVAX::PICHULO | Wed Feb 13 1985 13:40 | 2 | ||
And probably Petster will end up the same way as Atari, Mr. Bushnell's last creation.... | |||||
| 68.3 | PARROT::BLOTCKY | Wed Feb 13 1985 18:41 | 7 | ||
I saw this cat on yesterday's Today show. supposedly it responds to over 200 different commands. For instance, when you clap and say "here kitty" it is supposed to come to you. All morning Brian Gumbul tried this, and the cat went the opposite direction. As far I could tell it acted just like a real cat! Steve | |||||
| 68.4 | SUPER::MATTHEWS | Wed Feb 13 1985 23:52 | 3 | ||
Might make a super-duper cat toy. If it responds to cats. Val | |||||
| 68.5 | STAR::TOPAZ | Thu Feb 14 1985 07:49 | 4 | ||
This pseudo-creature would be like a real cat only if it ignored your commands whenever it felt like doing so. --Don | |||||
| 68.6 | In Poor Taste.. | AIMHI::OFFEN | Tue Jun 16 1987 11:02 | 4 | |
This is in regards to note 68.0. It was very interesting and amusing
until the last sentence. That really was in poor taste.
Cat Lover from Way Back..
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| 68.7 | XANADU::RAVAN | Wed Jun 17 1987 10:37 | 9 | ||
Poor taste, eh. Well, after all, I did find it in SOAPBOX...
Actually, I agree that it would be in very poor taste for the cat
to jump on the bed at - shall we say, a sensitive moment? Fortunately
for us, our cat is quite high-minded, and when Mommy and Daddy start
wrestling he leaves the room, not to return until order has been
restored!
-b
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