Why are robots attending weddings?

As reported by The New York Times , a handful of couples have incorporated robots into their wedding ceremonies. Couples have rented robots, created robot-like devices, or customized pre-existing robots to make their special day more interesting and tech-centric. Will this become a matrimonial trend?

The Anybot robot has made appearances at various weddings across the country. Its customizable hardware and software create a robust self-balancing robotic platform. This can be equipped with various sensors. For wedding guests, the Anybot is handy. It has a speaker, two cameras, two microphones, and an LCD video screen. The bot can connect to the Internet with Wi-Fi, and can be controlled from a computer. Wedding guests can interact with the robot, video chat with guests who are not physically in attendance, and have the robot record footage of the event and livestream on the Internet. The Anybot’s built-in guidance system helps it navigate around people and other objects in its path. And the Anybot can also be the first one on the dance floor, getting the party started. Who knew that robots have rhythm?!? Anybot can be rented daily at $325 a pop.

Image of the Anybot via The New York Times

Another wedding robot is the Dragon Runner 20, a borrowed military device that became the designated ring bearer for a ceremony. The robot rolled down the aisle and lifted up its arms to present the rings to the couple.

Mark Martin and Sarah Kriga crowdfunded to create a homemade WeddingBot named “Oscar.” They commissioned the designer Jon Schmig to assemble the robot, using aluminum sheets and a foam board that was created in Google SketchUp to use for the skeleton and head. The eyes and hands were recycled from an old Kinderbot toy. Schmig created an app, allowing the transmission of signals from his smartphone to maneuver the robot. This robot became the minister of the wedding; its vocals were supplied from Schmig who became an ordained minister for the ceremony.

Image of Weddingbot via Instagram

Even before the ceremony, couples are employing drones to assist them with their wedding proposals. As the question gets popped, a ring-bearing quadcopter flies down from the sky and lands next to the couple. Quadcopters are also used as ring bearers during the ceremony, using the sky as an “aisle” of sorts, handing the couple their rings. The installed video camera captures footage before, during, and after the proposal.

Image via YouTube

Photographers and videographers are also testing drones to obtain aerial footage of weddings. Drone operators must be extremely careful when handling these powerful and intricate devices. They are much more difficult to operate than expected. Last August, a groom was hit in the head by the Go-Pro camera-equipped remote-controlled drone, when it spun out of control. Just remember to stay vigilant if you dare to use a drone at your event!

Story via The New York Times, Anybot