Umm, I think they meant the robot would register the car by way of optical analysis. We do have that capability, you know, it's just processor intensive. And if that's not what they meant, then what a failure.

Oh, and they had gas dispensing robots working in the mid 90's. They just had to have special gas fittings on the cars in order to find and open them; a much simpler solution, but not as consumer-friendly.

is it really that hard to pump our own gas that we would spend money on a gas pumping robot ? Being handicap in rl, id rather them be researching bionic limb replacements or something.

Oh, don't you worry, they are. Technically, they already have them, it's just that the interface with the brain requires training of the computer, which is greatly facilitated by still having the limb in question functional. Also, they seem to be having problems keeping the electrodes in contact with the same neurons. I expect that we will see some marketable bionic limbs in America within 20 years if the current research pays out and the FDA doesn't give them too much trouble (currently all testing must be done overseas because of "ethical issues").

if they pump gas more efficiently (letting less gas vapor/drips escape) it could be worth it.... but you'd be better off just having electric cars if thats the point of the robot.