Latest news with #roboticdog
News.com.au
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
‘Dystopia': Proof society is officially doomed
In a moment that could only be described as 'Peak 2025', a woman walking her robotic dog through the streets of New York City was forced to gain control of her metal mutt after it lunged at a real dog. In a clip posted to social media, a woman wearing stilettos can be seen strutting along the streets with her AI canine on a chain leash. Suddenly, the cyber-dog comes face-to-face with what appears to be a caboodle – bringing it to a halt. The woman lovingly watches on as her creepy pet drops down into a 'playful' position before lunging at the horrified caboodle. The cyber-puppy then flips onto its back and rocks back and forth like a petrified Christmas beetle as his glamorous owner rushes to his aid. Meanwhile, the shaken-up caboodle is now standing extra close to its owner who appears to be filming the debacle. Luckily, the real dog was unharmed, save for emotional distress and likely a future in therapy. Since the clip, the glamorous robo-dog owner in question has been identified as Iranian-Dutch singer, songwriter Sevdaliza – infamous for her tech-erotica inspired music. The Vogue-featured pop artist has also invented a 'Femmenoid,' which she says is a robot proxy of herself named Dahlia. In a recent clip posted to her Instagram, the star tells a street-interviewer that her dog is 'so sweet' as it stomps its legs up and down. Social media, naturally, had a field day over the 'dystopian' scenes. 'It's like an episode of Black Mirror,' said one viewer. 'Yeah, we're done for,' said another. 'That thing is possessed,' said a third. Others, were less than impressed with the antics. 'I'd be stomping on that thing so fast,' said one person. 'I'd be taking that thing out so quick no robot is about to jump at my dog,' echoed another. The Rise of Robo-Mutts Robot dogs – originally developed for military surveillance and now inexplicably available to anyone with an Afterpay account – have been slowly infiltrating dog parks across the world. Equipped with facial recognition, object detection, and a disturbingly realistic bark, many are programmed to mimic real canine behaviour – bar the fur. They can range anywhere between $75,000 to just a few hundred of dollars, meaning anyone can get their hands on one. Major brands such as Dick Smith, Kogan, Amazon, and even AliExpress have created their own versions of the popular pet. There's even one for sale called the 'Thermonator' which is the 'first-ever flamethrower-wielding robot dog' and currently retails for US$9,420 (AU$14,607). Add to cart – obviously.
Daily Mail
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Robot DOG makes an appearance at the Met Gala - dressed in a tuxedo and adorned with a 1,000-carat diamond leash
At New York's Met Gala, guests are known for attention-grabbing outfits, from Katy Perry 's human chandelier dress to Kim Kardashian 's all-black body suit. But one attendant in particular has stolen the limelight this year – and he's not even human. Indian-American entrepreneur Mona Patel rocked up to the annual event on Monday night with an adorable robotic dachshund in tow. Vector the robo-dog, developed by scientists at MIT, has a 1,000-carat diamond-studded leash and his own cute little specially-fitted tuxedo. Powered by AI and equipped with sensors, Vector has customised movement patterns and 'just the right amount of sass', Vogue India reports. Anyone old enough to remember the BBC children's TV series Picture Book may be reminded of Sausage, the mischievous puppet dachshund. Patel herself wore a custom suit with a cape and corseted bodice from American fashion designer Thom Browne, plus a 3D-printed hat. Vector has been modelled after Browne's dachshund, Hector, but this robotic, tuxed-up, diamond-leashed version is 'ready to outshine me at any moment,' Patel said. The Met Gala is the yearly fundraising social occasion in New York held on the first Monday of May where guests outdo each other with eye popping outfits. Among those in attendance this year were Rihanna, Madonna, Nicole Kidman, Barry Keoghan, Diana Ross, Miley Cyrus, Demi Moore and Kim Kardashian. Mona Patel is one of the less high profile names, having been described as the 'mystery woman' last year when her butterfly dress went viral. Born in Vadodara, Gujarat before moving to the US in 2003, she is an entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist with a background in business and engineering. Vector was constructed at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where Patel obtained an MBA (Master of Business Administration). It's believed Patel had some involvement with the design of the dog, which has been programmed with customised movement patterns. Meanwhile, the back of her outfit was adorned with a bizarre robotic spine – taken as a nod to her engineering background. 'I've been lucky to work with brilliant engineers, and I couldn't resist bringing that part of my life onto the red carpet,' she told Harper's Bazaar. View this post on Instagram A post shared by VOGUE India (@vogueindia) Who is Mona Patel? Mona Patel is an entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist, originally from India but now based in Dallas, Texas. She moved to the US in 2003 and has since founded several companies, such as HauteX Ventures and radXai, a health tech startup She studied at Harvard, MIT and University of Florida, as well as Gujarat University in India. 'Thom's tailoring brought tradition, while my little robot date brought the future.' According to her LinkedIn profile, she studied computer science at Gujarat University in India before being educated at MIT, Harvard University and University of Florida. She is the founder of radXai, a health-tech startup that uses AI 'to improve accuracy, speed and efficiency of medical imaging and interpretation'. 'We're pushing boundaries by harnessing the power of AI to reshape and transform radiology,' the description on her LinkedIn profile reads. 'We're on a mission to develop advanced AI technologies that aid radiologists and help physicians and payers in delivering affordable, precise and timely patient care.' She is also founder of Couture For Cause, a non-profit organisation that 'aims to drive positive change through fashion and inspire every woman to realize her highest self'. 'Through fundraising events and global campaigns, we catalyze the fashion community and the industry's most influential figures and brands to create a better future for girls around the world.' Mona Patel is also no stranger to the entertainment industry and has mingled with A-list Hollywood stars. Back in 2021, she attended a Vogue100 event in collaboration with Kendall Jenner's 818 Tequila brand. Meanwhile, the Met Gala has had its fair share of weird accessories, including sci-fi inspired masks, body suits, hats and even wings. Back in 2021, singer Frank Ocean arrived at the Met Gala cradling an eerie green robotic baby in his arms. The frightening doll came complete with human-like facial expressions, and even smiled and blinked its eyes as the two shared warm looks. And Jared Leto carried a replica of his own head in 2019 while wearing a red gown covered with ropes of sparkling jewelry. How a computer whiz duped the world into believing Katy Perry attended the 2024 Met Gala - all from their bedroom in Brazil! Met Gala is the place to be seen or the biggest names in music, film, and fashion - even if some stars weren't really there. Singer Katy Perry skipped the Met Gala in 2024, but that didn't stop her likeness from making an appearance. In 2024, talked to two superfans of pop star Katy Perry, whose work with AI image-generators 'imagined' what Perry might have worn. The images looked so vivid and realistic that they even fooled Perry's own mother! The images leaned heavily into the 'garden' part of 2024 Met Gala's theme, with lush, verdant ivies and floral patterns draping a simulated Perry. In one image, the 'Firework' songwriter's hair flows in long crimped waves, like 1940s screen siren Veronica Lake; in the other, an AI Perry sports the on-trend 'wet look'.
