Atlanta robotics firm Tovbot will be showing off its Shimi (pronounced Shimmy) robot at the Google I/O after party on Wednesday. The robo, developed by Georgia Tech’s Center for Music Technology, is described as a “Robotic Musical Companion,” and it’s powered by an Android smartphone. It responds to your music, and can handle your social networking.
“We’ve packed a lot of exciting robotics technology into Shimi,” says Gil Weinberg, cofounder and CEO of Tovbot. “Shimi is actually the product of nearly a decade of musical robotics research. We’re very excited about the opportunity to show the Google developer community what we’ve put together using the Android platform”.
The company intends to commercialize the robot, and sell it as a combination robot/speaker dock system.
According to the video, future apps include: gaming, education, music making and sharing. There will also be an API for third party apps.
“When he’s not listening to music, Shimi makes sure your fully immersed in your online social life, even when you’re not in front of your PC,” Shimi’s about page says. “He’ll alert you when you get a Facebook post, do a shimmy when you get a new Twitter follower, and broadcast your dance parties to your remote friends around the world.”
“Shimi not only loves to listen to music, he also loves to create music,” the page says. “He’s even got the patience to teach you guitar! Play dance games online with your friends, and even teach Shimi a few new moves.”
Tovbot expects Shimi to be available for consumers early next year, launching at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show.
Now, behold the Shimi band:
Somehow, it also seems appropriate to listen to Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots: