Politics

Obama survives awkward, scary encounter with robot [VIDEO]

Rachel Stoltzfoos Staff Reporter
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President Barack Obama and a Japanese robot exchanged bows before the awkward and somehow self-conscious humanoid ASIMO demonstrated its crazy soccer skills Tuesday during an event at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, in Tokyo.

The robot politely bows and says, “It is a pleasure to meet you,” then stares at the president clearly demanding acknowledgment, because robots are people too!

“It’s nice to meet you too,” Obama finally replies.

Eager to impress, ASIMO proudly says: “I can run really fast! Let me show you. Here I go.” The robot then slowly jogs a few steps.

“Hoh!” Obama says, clearly impressed. He continues to overestimate ASIMO’s skill as it prepares to kick a soccer ball to him. “It’s gonna be pretty hard huh? If it hits me in the nose, it’ll be terrible.”

Indeed.

The president later admitted to a group of students at the science event that while amazing, the robots were too lifelike and “a little scary.” Props to the president for handling an awkward and very intimidating situation.

WATCH:

ASIMO is an acronym for Advanced Step in Innovative MObility, by Honda.

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