Let's say we want a harvesting combine to gather all the crop without any human intervention. Does it's brain have to be as complex as a horse brain?

I don't really have any experience with horses. Can you train one to plow a field by itself without a human to steer it? How complex does a robot brain have to be to pick an apple tree clean? Comments?

My previous post about the applicability of robots applies to AI as well. There is much discussion in extropian circles about making AI that are like humans. Of course, this is counter-intuitive from a business perspective as well. The reason for maing any kind of AI is to do the things that humans can't do, not the ones that humans can do. This, in turn, suggests that when we do get "real" AI (however you want to define it), that this AI will be fundamentally different from humans.

I aggree. Robotics technology has got a long ways to go in improving things like pattern recogition and dexterity before it become anything like humans. Also, you have to look at this from a business perspective. You don't make and sell robots to do the things that humans do well, because noone is going to pay you money for them. Rather, you make them to do things that humans can't do very well or at all, or to operate in extreme environments (underwater, outer-space). These are the applications where people will pay you money for a robot because its the only way to do the job or where its too expensive to send someone there to do the job. This is where the growth market for robots will be for a long time to come.

I wonder what Honda's interest is — do they make more than cars and motorcycles? Could this be a testbed for a different type of vehicle? Perhaps one destined for work in outer space?

Just speculating…

Ya…think I might save my money for a few years. This is so limited and basic…however, its neat to see the beginnings of a personal bot
Wondering what Honda and Sony will be demonstrating in 20 years has me interested
Presently, I would say this is more a rich mans toy and conversation piece

I will consider one when it can do the dishes, walk the dog (clean up after the dog), Iron, gardening, etc:

But if someone was to give me one of these…I would be happy (show off to the friends kinda boasting rights) and this may be a collectors item in 20 years anyway…bit of history…
People will collect anything

I would imagine the girl was amazed and nervous at it, perhaps wondered if her mother could get her one for x-mas as I would have been wondering…perhaps thinking of controlling it to chase those bullies

Honda has demonstrated a humanoid robot. It's shaped roughly like a human; it walks, a bit limberly, balancing nicely on its feet. It raises its hands and turns its head. In one video, it even turns a wrench. In another, it shakes hands with a girl in a skirt. I wonder what it felt like, what she was thinking, when she shook hands with the robot.

Compared with average humans, Honda's robot is heavy, slow, and weak. It houses no breakthrough in artificial intelligence, and is controlled through a wireless ethernet link. It is a tour de force, a world-class marionette.

The P2 model runs for 15 minutes before its battery needs recharging. The new P3 runs for 25. No specification is given for the cost.