Obama Tickles Giant Robotic Giraffe at White House

Obama Tickles Giant Robotic Giraffe at White House (ABC News)

President Obama encountered an unlikely character on the White House South Lawn this morning: a 17-foot-tall, 2,200-pound robotic giraffe named Russell.

At one point, the president reached out and touched the giraffe underneath its chin, prompting a giggle from the robotic animal, who runs his own artificial intelligence program.

“Hehe, that tickles,” Russell, whose horns are made of silver glittery lava lamps, said with a British accent.

Lindsay Lawlor, the owner and creator of the giraffe, said people can ride the giant robotic creature, which is powered by a 12-horsepower, hybrid fuel-engine motor.