Toyota's Violin Robot

Toyota researchers just unveiled their violin robot to the press. Very, very impressive. No, let me rephrase that. It's DAMN COOL!!! Here: http://www.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=72177

FTA, the robot has 17 joints in both of its hands and arms. Very dexterious bunch of fingers that thing has. I can't think of any specific everyday-task that will put that skill to use for now, folding paper cranes, perhaps? The people from the medicine field might want it for operations, which requires precision and steady hands. What I can think of, is that the mechanics used here would be another step closer to Ghost In The Shell-like prosthetics.

I'm feeling pretty noobish now. I've spent 4 years learning the violin, and I don't think my playing sounds as accurate as the robot... The things even does vibrato, which I'm still struggling to master. I didn't see the robo's wrist move, but there was vibrato anyway.

Next thing we know, the robot can play fantasie impromptu. You know, all those passages with running notes. Aww man, I've spent like, the last couple years trying to play the first section, and it's still no good.

I think the robots will surpass me at playing violin/piano soon. *sigh*