Advertising Robots

[pyf]

Ad campaign "Alive with Technology" (2004-2008)
(reminder: the first Transformers movie was released in 2007)

"The [Citroen C4's] advanced technology was the focus of a well-known television advertising campaign showing the car transforming into a giant dancing robot, accompanied by the song "Jacques Your Body (Make Me Sweat)" by Les Rythmes Digitales. [...] The dance moves were based on the concept of a Transformers break dance routine, developed from moves recorded by the agents from Justin Timberlake's choreographer Marty Kudelka. [...] The entire sequence and scenery were digitally created. Apple Shake was used to digitally generate the visual effects. This commercial has since been credited to District 9 director Neill Blomkamp."

Spoiler: Dancing Robot (2004)

(extended version)

"The follow-up ad featured a similar transformer robot ice skating at high speed across a frozen lake, dodging around obstacles [...]. It featured the song "Walking Away (Tocadisco Remix)" by The Egg."

Spoiler: Skating Robot (2006)

(extended version)

"The [next one] shows a third transformer robot sprinting along a road [...]. It features the song "Hungarian Dances" by Brahms."

Spoiler: Running Robot (2007)

(Deutsch ad)

"Another ad featuring yet another transforming robot is [...] for the revamped C4. The robot struts through town showing off, accompanied by a cover version of the Bee Gees song "Stayin' Alive" by MC Lita."

Spoiler: Staying Alive Robot (2008)

All the quotes are from Citroën C4 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Text might have been updated, since I first did this bit of research two years ago.

 

[Zwiebelchen]

So what exactly is the thing you want to discuss here...?

 

[pyf]

Robots (past, present and future), Neill Blomkamp, prospective technology...

The thread's title may be understood as "Advertising about Robots", and not specifically "Robots in advertising". It is a play on words, crafted to be in accordance with the videos in OP. But they are only a starting point here.

One may wish to post more of his/her favorite/interesting robots here (be they real or fictional ones, be they anthropomorphic or not, be they toys or industrial appliances...). Also, no special need to debate about them, it may only be a picture / video thread. The goal is to stimulate imagination with visions of the future (which may have their roots in the past).

THW is a SC2 site too, but I do not recall seeing many threads like this.


Now let us see what the future may hold...

 

[pyf]

Robby the Robot

The classic science fiction film Forbidden Planet was first released 60 years ago.


Robby the Robot: engineering a sci-fi icon (documentary):

Hidden

A few of the character's appearances:

Hidden

Robby in films and TV series:

Hidden

First appearance (1956):

Robby serves Man on the Hazel TV show (1962):

Robby in a few TV commercials:

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In 1978, for a magazine devoted to science fiction books, films, and TV series

In 1981, because it is sometimes difficult to make a living, even for robots

In 2006, among a few celebrities

In 2012, among even more celebrities

 

[pyf]

The Nestor Class 5, or NS-5 for short

"The future begins today, ladies and gentlemen, with the arrival of the NS-5. More sophisticated, more intelligent and, of course, Three Laws safe.
With daily uplinks, your new robot will never be out of communication with USR, and will be the perfect companion for business or home.
Trade in your NS-4 for a bigger, better and brighter future. But hurry, this offer cannot last. Available from USR [maybe in 2035]."

Hidden

From the 2004 sci-fi film I, Robot

Fan-made advertisement

Warning: might include random segments of code, leading to unexpected protocols:

Hidden

 

[pyf]

Tempbot (2006)

Co-starring Lynda Carter, of Wonder Woman fame

Imho Neill Blomkamp's best short film.

 

[pyf]

Modernizing paintshop and final assembly, by using a new kind of automated assembly line worker?
An ad campaign for the Xsara Picasso:


Robot (European campaign, 2000)...

...and Robots' Revenge (UK campaign, 2003)

 

[pyf]

The brilliance of canned food:

This famous commercial was created in 1985 by Ketchum Advertising, and was produced by Robert Abel & Associates. It was commissioned by the CFIC (Canned Food Information Council).

It briefly appears in Back to the Future Part II (which takes place in the year 2015).

Spoiler

The robot is loosely based on designs and ideas by Japanese painter Hajime Sorayama (of 'Sexy Robot' fame).


Making of:

Hidden

 

[pyf]

"Meet 'Sally', she is your new best friend"

Part of a clever marketing campaign for the British-American science fiction TV series Humans.

Quoting Wikipedia:
"For one week in May 2015, the series was marketed using a fake shopfront for Persona Synthetics on London's Regent Street, inviting passers-by to create their own synth using interactive screens, and employing actors who pretended to be synths around central London. An accompanying Channel 4 trailer for the series in the style of an advert for Persona featured "Sally", a robotic servant described as "your new best friend." "

See also:
Have you see the Persona Synthetics ads?
Channel 4 explains innovative Humans marketing campaign
Channel 4 dupes viewers into thinking robot servants for sale