The ability to discern good wine from bad, name the specific brand from a tiny sip and recommend a complementary cheese would seem to be about as human a skill as there is. In Japan, robots are doing it. Researchers at NEC System Technologies and Mie University have designed a robot that can taste — an electromechanical sommelier able to identify dozens of different wines, cheeses and hors d'oeuvres. When a reporter's hand was placed against the robot's taste sensor, it was identified as prosciutto. A cameraman was mistaken for bacon.
Ladies and gentlemen, the future is here, and it thinks you taste like bacon. I for one welcome our future robot masters, and am glad to know they will be cultured snobs. I would have it no other way... Update: We will have robot jam bands too! I have a feeling our future robot masters will toss some kickin' parties. SouthCoastToday.com - Japanese unveil robot wine steward |