Maria, Gort and Robby will share the spotlight with their less-exotic robotic siblings Saturday when the $3.5 million exhibition roboworld opens in Pittsburgh.
In what is being called "the world’s largest and most comprehensive permanent robotics exhibition," the Carnegie Science Center will showcase 6,000 square feet of robots and related exhibits, from Hollywood automatons to repurposed basketball-shooting industrial arms.
Maria, pictured above, is one of the oldest robostars on display: She wowed silent-movie audiences nine decades ago by shuffling stiffly through Fritz Lang's 1927 sci-fi classic, Metropolis.
Other Robot Hall of Fame inductees include replicas of Gort from The Day the Earth Stood Still, Robby the Robot from Forbidden Planet, Honda's Asimo humanoid, Star Wars' robots R2-D2 and C-3PO, NASA's Mars Sojourner, HAL 9000 from Arthur C. Clarke's 2001: A Space Odyssey and Terminator's T-800 model.
Andy the RoboThespian (pictured right), an Engineered Arts android controlled by a touchscreen kiosk, will greet visitors at the exhibition. They will be able to change Andy's LCD-screened eyes, alter the color of his face, swivel his head and ask questions that prompt scripted vocal responses.
"Roboworld will help visitors understand the tremendous impact robotics has on everyday life for each and every one of us,” said Carnegie Science Center co-director Ann Metzger in a statement.
Check out a gallery of vintage androids featured in the show below.
Did roboworld miss anything? Who, or what, is your favorite movie robot? Weigh in below.
Photos courtesy Carnegie Science Center
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