Robot performs Nativity play

Grimur sez, "This is a video of a robot performing a Nativity play. This was the contribution of the robotics department of deCODE genetics to the annual company-wide Christmas decoration competition. The lyrics are in Icelandic, by the comedy group Baggalútur." Link (Thanks, Grimur!)

[#1 posted by ndollak , January 18, 2008 2:18 AM]

Cute! Brings a manly tear to the eye. I love the "natural childbirth" touch and the tiny, clothespin-like Jesus being delicately held by its little round head by the robot's tender claws.

FRY (to a group of very Hassidic-looking Robot Jews): So, you guys don't believe in Robot Jesus, right?

ROBOT JEW: We believe that he was built, and that he was a very well-programmed robot. But he was not our Messiah.

--- from a "Futurama" episode

[#2 posted by Mr BabyMan , January 18, 2008 2:38 AM]

The song sounds like an Icelandic version of Münchener Freiheit's 1988 hit "Keeping the Dream Alive" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdX3D_2h8Pk

[#3 posted by Kyle Armbruster , January 18, 2008 3:27 AM]

That was actually very beautiful.

[#4 posted by Sandbox World , January 18, 2008 3:28 AM]

While watching that I was expecting Mr. Bean to jump from behind and bring down baby Jesus by helicopter.

[#5 posted by Pipenta , January 18, 2008 5:03 AM]

The faces are tiny and hard to see. But Mary and Joseph look like they were taken from traditional art. But some of the other figures/characters/"actors" look to be from photographs. So who are they? Company execs perhaps? Islandic celebs like gov't officials or contestants on Islandic Idol?

[#6 posted by bovine5000 , January 18, 2008 5:05 AM]

That, I suppose, would be a Jesus and Mary crane.

[#7 posted by Sue Grant , January 18, 2008 5:28 AM]

Oh nice pun #6 :)

[#8 posted by License Farm , January 18, 2008 7:42 AM]

The role of God is played by an industrial robot. There's something poetic and truthful in that. Now if baby J's gestation looked like the teaser trailer for Terminator 2 I'd be squealing with delight.

[#9 posted by ZippySpincycle , January 18, 2008 9:37 AM]

This was genuinely and surprisingly touching even for this curmudgeonly nonbeliever--something about the music and the graceful fluidity of the robot's movement. The only thing missing was Linus reading from the Gospel of Matthew.

[#10 posted by Antinous , January 18, 2008 1:53 PM]

It was oddly moving. Odd because the robot looks like a high-end power drill and yet seems to express tender emotion. There's so much effort being put into making anthropomorphic robots, but it's our projections that humanize them.