When the DVD for Medabots, a TV series on Fox Kids, popped up on our radar here at Pop Omnivore, we considered having one of our regular staffers handle the post. But then we had a better idea: Why not let a new and highly regarded 9-year-old blogger do the job? Without further ado, please give a warm National Geographic welcome to Caleb Clark Mairson.
Pop Omnivore: What is Medabots all about?
Caleb: It’s about a boy named Ikki Tenryo who doesn’t have a robot fighter like all the other kids. One day a gang of thugs comes and challenges his friend Erika to a robo-battle, but she doesn’t take the challenge. So Ikki runs to a shop that sells Megabots and buys a very old robot because he couldn’t afford the new kind. Ikki names his robot Metabee—for metal beetle. Metabee is especially strong and powerful because of the special medal that Ikki put into him. In most of Ikki’s adventures, he ends up in a robattle where Metabee fights another robot until one of them isn’t functioning anymore. Next episode, please.
Pop: Do you like the show?
Caleb: It’s okay. On a scale of 1 to 10, I’d give it a 3 or 4, maximum 5.
Pop: What’s the coolest part of the show?
Caleb: When a metafighter—a person—beats somebody, they get part of their opponent’s robot’s body.
Pop: What’s the lamest part?
Caleb: Probably the bad guys. They steal rare and powerful medals, and they have Medabots that aren’t that good.
Pop: What special powers do Medabots have?
Caleb: Here are some Medabot powers:
- They can shoot bullets out of their arms.
- They can swing chains with balls at the end and wallop their opponent.
- They can shoot gravity beams that can pin you down to the ground.
- They can fight with swords.
- They have cape shields that protect them from bullets.
- They can shock their opponents with electric shock.
- They can talk to people.
Pop: Can real robots do all those things today?
Caleb: I thought you would ask me that, so I emailed questions to a man named Rodney Brooks. He is a professor of robotics at a school called MIT. This is what Dr. Brooks told me: “Some robots can talk to people today, though not as naturally as two people talking together. If they wanted to, they could make robots shoot bullets from their arms and shock people with something like a taser. But some of the other things would require a change in the laws of physics as we know them. Don’t expect gravity beams to be built by a bunch of engineers.”
Pop: What will robots be able to do in 20 years?
Caleb: Dr. Brooks told me that in 20 years or so there will probably be robots that help old people around the house so they can stay in their home longer. I think he means robots might do the laundry, make dinner, go to the grocery store, walk the dog, make the beds, and stuff like that.
Pop: Would you like your own Medabot?
Caleb: Yes.
Pop: What power would you want your Medabot to have?
Caleb: The power to do my homework. I’d make him invincible. He’d also be able to turn himself into fire and water. And he’ll be able to shoot lighting, make a plant grow, and throw someone with a gravity force field. Also, maybe you could use a Medabot to download all the math facts from zero to ten into your head.
Pop: How much is 8 times 7?
Caleb: 56.
Pop: Does this TV series remind you of a game you used to play?
Caleb: Yes. It reminds me of Pokemon. The characters cry the same, are drawn the same. And the story is the same. They have fights, and go Kakakakaka!!….. Yaaaahhhhh!!!! ….. BOOOOOOM!!!
To read Caleb’s complete e-mail interviews with two robotic experts, check out his blog—Salt & Vinegar.
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Comments
Jan 23, 2008 12PM #
I agree.
Jan 23, 2008 12PM #
i am student from indonesia. i hope the next ngm publish about culture in indonesia because my indonesia has many culture and good culture, i want every people in the world know about indonesia, thanks about your respont.
Jan 23, 2008 12PM #
How about robots preparing tax returns? Would that be 'TurboTaxBot'? The best use of robotics would be designing machines to do the mundane chores of life, i.e. take out the carbage, walk the dog in the winter time, and vacume the house. Isn't the future exciting!
Jan 23, 2008 12PM #
I work with older adults and am looking forward to the day when there are readily available robots to help around the house--I could use one myself right now!
Good, honest review. Keep up the good work!
Jan 23, 2008 12PM #
When Caleb gets old enough, he can watch the R-rated "I, Robot" and see what happens when household robots go bad ...
Jan 23, 2008 12PM #
Really neat that Caleb would anticipate your question and get the expert's input before the question was even asked of him. Keep providsing opportunities for young thinkers to do this kind of thing.
Jan 23, 2008 12PM #
This i sinteresting, but I don't understand why gravity beams would be a problem. Looking forward to getting a housekeeping robot!
Jan 23, 2008 12PM #
Kids seem to know what works and what doesn't, what's cool and what's not, don't they? Keep bringing out the young voices.
Jan 23, 2008 12PM #
I'm all for a robot to help us "old" people. One who could carry our bags and drive us around when we are on vacation so that we can enjoy the sites--one who can clean, wash, cook, etc., etc. That'd be cool--then I could volunteer, travel and do whatever I wanted to do.
Jan 23, 2008 12PM #
Great review of medabots. I think Caleb has a huge future in blogging.
Jan 23, 2008 12PM #
Cool review. I'm going to check the show out.
And I'll be looking for a robot to help out with chores too!
Jan 23, 2008 12PM #
I REALLY liked the fact that Caleb looked for, and found, someone to provide some "real-life" information about what robots can do now. I've been reading scifi about robots for 40 years now, but what really gete me excited about robots these days is what the REAL ones can do. I saw Sony's AIBO last year, and it walks (and dances) JUST the way a human does. Caleb: keep at it!
Jan 23, 2008 12PM #
The show is sort of a window to the future, like many robotic movies and shows. It would be nice to have a robot(s) around the house to help with cleaning, yard work, etc.
Jan 23, 2008 12PM #
Great interview! Do medabots evolve like pokemon (or people)?
Jan 23, 2008 12PM #
Heyyyyyy, Caleb! I am writing this from Houston! Although you are many miles away. Oh, well. I was cruising the internet, and your name was 'ere! How about that! So anyways, I'm using a whatchacallit, a fake name. What are medabots? Robots; I've never been fond of them. I'd rather use something with no intelligence at all, even "Artificial", like my sister. Hah. Goodbye! See you whenever our families get together again.
Jan 23, 2008 12PM #
I liked how when I submitted my comment it asked that I type in some letters that are partially obsured so that "robots don't comment'!!!!!
Jan 23, 2008 12PM #
I'm saddened that robots are used for destructive purposes. What ever happened to Azimovs 3 laws of robotics?
Jan 23, 2008 12PM #
I wanted to ask Caleb if he had ever tried to build a robot, or if he was interested in doing so. I also liked Jaime's comment -- I keep trying to teach my dog to do the laundry, but a robot might be a more successful approach.
Jan 23, 2008 12PM #
I'm a Transformers fan, myself. I'm sure Caleb would have something to say about that. Too funny - the concept of robots thru the eyes of a 9 year old! What an imagination...I agree-looks like Mr. Mairson is the newest member of N.G.'s editorial staff. Don't spend it all in one place, kid. Great stuff!
Jan 23, 2008 12PM #
But if you do your homework instead of letting the robot do it, maybe some day you'll go to MIT and then YOU can make robots! And wouldn't it be nice if they could make peace as well as murder and mayhem?
Jan 23, 2008 12PM #
It was very diligent of Caleb to contact a prof at MIT for comment. He's also critical in the honest way kids are. Nice review.
The key moment in robotics and artificial intelligence will take place when a robot laughs at a joke. Then we all better start worrying.
Jan 23, 2008 12PM #
Caleb, how cool that you did robot research with a top guy at MIT! Maybe you will end up there one day, and I can interview you!
Jan 23, 2008 12PM #
That's a great interview. Caleb should get alot of credit.
Jan 23, 2008 12PM #
Sounds like a bad show, but if it can get kids interested in Robotics, then there's an upside. See http://www.botball.org for a Lego robotics contest for middle and high school students. Voice controls have not been part of the contest--Yet!
Jan 23, 2008 12PM #
Oh to be 9-years old again! Best exchange:
Pop: Would you like your own Medabot?
Caleb: Yes.
No hestitation -- such confidence going with the flow of technological change. I'm not so sure this old guy would want a medabot helping him stay around his house a little bit longer!
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