Robots become human, human become robots

Jul 29, 2014

Menno van Doorn

The Hanwha Eagles is a South Korean baseball team that recently introduced robot fans. You can now watch the game at home and participate in the stadion at the same time. The robots have Led displays that can send messages to the team through your iPhone. In addition to the usual support messages like “Go Eagles!” or “I Love You, Eagles!” the robots wearing uniform shirts and jeans can relay text messages sent by the fans within the park or outside. They can also show the fan’s face on the screen, adding more fun to the game.

There are jokes about this new fanbot. Not in the least because the team has a track record in loosing the game. The fans of the Hanwha Eagels seem to have non human capacities. They are nick named “stone Buddha” for their persistence to go and see the game.  While the robots are showing more human capacities. The robo-fans trigger the imagination of robots getting beer and curse when the referee makes a stupid decision. Robots become more human, humans more robots.

About the author

Menno van Doorn

Director and Trend Analyst VINT | Netherlands

Menno is Director of the Sogeti Research Institute for the Analysis of New Technology (VINT). He mixes personal life experiences with the findings of the 19 years of research done at the VINT Research Institute. Menno has co-authored many books on the impact of new technology on business and society.

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