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Billy Idol, robots rock Google I/O party (pictures)

Attendees of Google's annual developer show got the traditional concert, this time with classic rocker Billy Idol and a robotic arm strong enough to crush 55-gallon drums.

Stephen Shankland
Stephen Shankland worked at CNET from 1998 to 2024 and wrote about processors, digital photography, AI, quantum computing, computer science, materials science, supercomputers, drones, browsers, 3D printing, USB, and new computing technology in general. He has a soft spot in his heart for standards groups and I/O interfaces. His first big scoop was about radioactive cat poop.
Stephen Shankland
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1 of 14 Stephen Shankland/CNET

Google I/O electronic dance floor

Stepping on the illuminated buttons at Google I/O 2013 would change their color, as this conga line shows.
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2 of 14 Stephen Shankland/CNET

Billy Idol at Google I/O 2013

Billy Idol at the Google I/O 2013 party.
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3 of 14 Stephen Shankland/CNET

Billy Idol at Google I/O 2013

Billy Idol at the Google I/O 2013 party.
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4 of 14 Stephen Shankland/CNET

Billy Idol at Google I/O 2013

Billy Idol at the Google I/O 2013 party.
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5 of 14 Stephen Shankland/CNET

Billy Idol at Google I/O 2013

Billy Idol at the Google I/O 2013 party.
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6 of 14 Stephen Shankland/CNET

Billy Idol at Google I/O 2013

Billy Idol at the Google I/O 2013 party.
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7 of 14 Stephen Shankland/CNET

Billy Idol at Google I/O 2013

Billy Idol at the Google I/O 2013 party.
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8 of 14 Stephen Shankland/CNET

Giant robotic arm at Google I/O

This giant hydraulic hand, operated by a person with a sensory glove, was clumsy -- but it was also powerful enough to pick up and squash 55-gallon drums.
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9 of 14 Stephen Shankland/CNET

Giant robotic arm at Google I/O

Here, the giant robotic arm picks up a 55-gallon drum at the Google I/O 2013 party. Yes, it was empty.
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10 of 14 Stephen Shankland/CNET

Google I/O electronic dance floor

Google I/O's interactive dance floor was colorful, but dancers were hard to come by.
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11 of 14 Stephen Shankland/CNET

Giant robotic arm at Google I/O

The robotic arm's operator, visible at the center here wearing a white T-shirt and seated behind the hand, operated the arm with a homemade sensor glove.
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12 of 14 Stephen Shankland/CNET

Sit-and-spin robot rider

A smartphone-based robot controller app, operated here by the person in green, sent the cross-legged Google I/O party attendee all around the floor.
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13 of 14 Stephen Shankland/CNET

Sit-and-spin robot rider

The flat robot could be directed to spin -- thus the rider's hardhat.
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14 of 14 Stephen Shankland/CNET

Sit-and-spin robot rider

Indeed, the robot could spin very rapidly. It was a trip good for those who like roller coasters.

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