Grok Robots

In the latest trailer for Pixar’s WALL-E we meet EVE, object of WALL-E’s robo-love. Here’s EVE as she arrives on the scene:

EVE’s design leads to the question: was Steve Jobs wandering his old Pixar stomping grounds in Emeryville the day EVE was designed?

Pixarian: So this is EVE, and she exits the spacecraft and WALL-E
Jobs: Whoa, whoa, whoa. What’s up with all those buttons and dials and those things on her face?
Pixarian: Her eyes?
Jobs: Yeah those. Get rid of those and everything else. You just need the robot body and a screen.
Pixarian: No face?
Jobs: Just have some eyes glow in when you need them.
Pixarian: What about -
Jobs: No.
Pixarian: Maybe if we put -
Jobs: Wrong.

In subsequent scenes you’ll notice EVE has sub-surface indicators and lights/scanners when needed:

Of course, in the end Steve is all about compromise:

Pixarian: Then she flys around with this retro iPod.
Jobs: Brilliant.