Development of robots: The fairy godmother, filled with helium

Tinkerbell is here. The fairy from the fairy tale Peter Pan lives in a laboratory in Japan - or at least the most fairy-like thing that people can create with their limited resources. And if you might have imagined Tinkerbell to be purple or, analogous to the Disney film adaptation, very blonde with very big eyes - no, this one is different. Imagine a whale. Just a small one, a little bigger than a pillow. Now please change the color to white, the material to very thin plastic and the side fins to be seen as wings with which the object then wobbles and steers when flying. Of course it has to fly, or have you ever seen a fairy that can't fly? Even.

The thing really exists, at least as a prototype, and the researchers are making the fairy comparison themselves. But they have named it “Floating Companion”. You actually have to imagine floating in something like the movement of a gas balloon when there is some air movement. It makes sense, after all, there is helium in it and the wobbling wing fins allow directional flight. In this way, the researchers cleverly solve the locomotion problem that robots often have. Walking on two legs? Really complicated and error-prone, and braking isn't even possible. Glide like a robot vacuum cleaner? Greetings to users who have steps in the apartment. Flying indoors is surprisingly easy and quiet - every drone can learn something from this.

In a video, the researchers demonstrate how the device could accompany people in their everyday lives and help them: waking them up in the morning with a gentle nudge. Remember to take breaks while working or playing a computer game on the same path. Sit on your lap as a bookend while reading a book. Use movement to provide a playful distraction while waiting. And if no one dares to dance at a party, the whale starts fidgeting in the air.

What is noticeable: Many uses are social situations in which other people could take on the same role if they were there and able to do so and attentive. The Tinkerbell whale could therefore be denounced as a socially pessimistic recognition of increasing isolation.

That's probably correct. But perhaps there are still places and situations in which such a device can be just the thing. In which it could enable people to live a more self-determined life alone, with little or no feeling of loneliness. Assuming you have the necessary change, probably. And presence of mind: Before the apartment is properly ventilated, you should anchor the device securely.