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Robot Shows Prime Minister How to Loosen Up

A robot with impeccable manners charmed guests at a state dinner with his wisecracks and dancing, outshining Czech Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla and showing up his often-mocked social stiffness

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi (L) applauds while his Czech counterpart Vladimir Spidla (R) shakes hands with the robot Asimo Honda, before a dinner at the Hrzan's Palace in Prague, August 21, 2003. Photo by Petr Josek/Reuters




Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi unveiled an improved version of the 4-foot-tall Asimo humanoid on an official visit to the Czech Republic, where the word robot first appeared in author Karel Capek's 1920 play "R.U.R." (Rossum's Universal Robots).


Asimo began working the crowd as soon as he arrived at the dinner late on Thursday, telling jokes, greeting Spidla warmly, and even making a champagne toast before wisecracking that he couldn't drink himself because he is underage.


"Let's drink to Japan and the Czech Republic, and to the friendly relationship between humans and robots," Asimo, made by Honda, said in perfect Czech.


"If Capek could see me, he would definitely be surprised."


Spidla smiled at the robot but seemed at a loss for witty conversation.


He turned down Asimo's request for a dance saying only:


"I like science and various technically advanced things."