Museum of Science and Industry

While we're still pretty far from the "grey goo," the robot revolution is upon us! MSI celebrated this month's National Robotics Week by showcasing some pretty awesome bots, including Anybot's QB2. Known as a telepresence robot, QB2 is a mobile webcam/microphone controlled over the internet that allows you to virtually attend meetings, visit factories, and even be present at overseas weddings—as was the case for Helen Mary Garriott. Her son, entrepreneur Richard Garriott de Cayeux, was getting married in France, but she was too frail to make the trip from Las Vegas. So instead, a QB2 adorned with an almost life-size image of Ms. Garriott attended the ceremony via the robot's webcam and danced her robo-bootie off, moving back and forth at the reception.

Despite the occasional hiccup (like wi-fi dropouts or dead batteries), they can be a great way to get around without really getting around. Viva la Robot Revolution!

When a Robot Becomes the Life of the Party [Wall Street Journal]

Image: Richard Garriott de Cayeux