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Gaming the Future: The Book!

Category: Robotics

Evolutionary computation for fractal robots & nanotech

from the changing-software dept.
JohnPierce writes "Efficient 'shape shifting' of complex Fractal Robots will require optimized logistics. On-the-fly Evolutionary Computation may be the answer. A Discover article describes Evolutionary Computation for logistical optimization of a large warehouse distribution system. This technique may also find uses in design and operation of Nanosystems."

First cyborg professor & cyborg-to-be spouse

from the those-wacky-English dept.
eamon writes "CNN.com reports Professor [Kevin Warwick] to wire computer chip into his nervous system.The head of the Cybernetics Department at the the University of Reading in the U.K…Surgeons will connect the chip to his nervous system through nerve fibers in his left arm, and the chip will exchange signals between his brain and a computer…If the experiment is successful, Warwick's wife Irena will also receive a silicon chip implant to explore how movement, thought and emotion can be transmitted from one person to another."

Biped robots from Sony, Honda at Robodex 2000

from the Who-said-the-Robot-Age-is-far-in-the-future? dept.
Waldemar Perez writes "The latest developments in Robotics are truly impressive! This article found in EETimes shows some of the models presented at Robodex 2000. We are only years or months away from watching widespread robot use in entertainment and specialized tasks that are dangerous to humans. Labor unions should be worried in my opinion. Verbal command computers are not far away and robots could take over many human tasks for a fraction of the cost. Check out the Honda website for the latest Quick Time movies of the Honda prototype tightening nuts shaking hands, walking and standing."

First brain-machine interface tested in a monkey

from the we'll-have-wings-in-cyberspace dept.
Waldemar Perez writes "Scientists at Duke University and MIT tested the first ever neuro-implant in a monkey's brain for a brain-machine control interface. The monkey controlled a robotic arm 600 miles away performing such tasks as reaching for food. It holds great promise for prosthetic implants. http://www.eurekalert.org/releases/duke-mca111000.html" Excerpt: " 'One most provocative, and controversial, question is whether the brain can actually incorporate a machine as part of its representation of the body,' [the researcher] said. 'I truly believe that it is possible…If such incorporation of artificial devices works, it would quite likely be possible to augment our bodies in virtual space in ways that we never thought possible,' Nicolelis said."

Robo sapiens: Evolution of a New Species

from the but-can-they-do-laundry? dept.
Comments from Foresight chairman Eric Drexler on this MIT Press book by Peter Menzel & Faith D'Aluisio: "Robo sapiens is a fascinating, in-depth look at one of the most challenging engineering tasks ever attempted. The photos amaze, while the text gives the inside story of researchers bashing their heads up against boggling complexity. You pick up Robo sapiens for the great photos, and then get caught up reading the inside politics of the race to build humanlike machines. Don't be surprised by the coming era of robotics — read Robo sapiens and be ready." Read More for comments by Arthur C. Clarke and Ray Kurzweil. CP: For a hardcover book this beautiful, the price of $29.95 is a bargain.

Leech-neuron "computer" aimed at robot use

from the someone-had-to-do-it…? dept.
Adam Burke writes "Georgia Institute of Technology scientists have made a computer of sorts from leech neurons."

An excerpt from the BBC piece: "Professor Ditto says a robot brain is his long-term aim, noting that conventional supercomputers are far too big for a robot to carry around. "We want to be able to integrate robotics, electronics and these type of computers so that we can create more sentient robots," he says. However, in the immediate future, the team from Georgia Tech and Emory University are working on enabling their computer to do multiplication."

Private Lunar Mission to Land Robots, Return Samples

from the Sony-Aibo-was-not-considered dept.
redbird pointed out a Space.com story about a privately-funded project to retrieve lunar samples with robots supplied by Los Alamos roboticist Mark Tilden. "[Applied Space Resources] plans to launch [the Lunar Retriever mission] into low Earth orbit and then moonward using former Soviet technologies," possibly including decommissioned tactical missiles.

Following the conclusion of the Retriever phase of the mission, Tilden wants to use his robots to clear a lunar beachhead of ultra-fine dust, which poses a threat to delicate machines. "By the time the mini-Sisyphi die four years after landing from prolonged exposure to gamma radiation, theyíll have cleared a figure eight-shaped, four million square yard (four square kilometer) area… Tilden hopes to follow those colonizers with cheap, wheeled kindred robots that assemble themselves in reconfigurable solar arrays. A final wave of compulsive wirers and cable-layers would then provide the plug for subsequent landers looking to juice up."

Robot with gun operable over internet

from the new-challenge-for-hackers dept.
Senior Associate TomMcKendree writes "In what sounds like a bad idea, a researcher in Thailand has hooked up a robot with a gun, that can be controlled over the internet, and that can be set up to shoot automatically."
An excerpt: "[The inventor] has password-protected the 'fire' command for when the robot is operated over the Internet. 'We think the decision to fire should always be a human decision,' he says. 'Otherwise it could kill people.' " CP: How reassuring, a password.

Make what you need, when & where you need it

from the not-here-…-make-it-over-there!-geez dept.
bbrelin writes of a Time magazine article on the new low-volume, "better, kinder, cleaner", digital manufacturing at the point of consumption: "While this isn't strictly nanotechnology, the ramifications are similar. It reminds me of the the scenario in Unbounding the Future regarding the Mom and Pop manufacturing facility…"

Gastrobot and slugbot: "flesh-eating robots"

from the is-this-really-a-good-idea dept.
Senior Associate member davesag writes "Just opened page 7 of the UK issue of this week's New Scientist and there's an article about Chew Chew the 12 wheeled flesh eating robot that uses e-coli to recharge its batteries. Is building robots that digest meat another one of those 'oh boy, wait till they get smarter and smaller' issues we need to be worried about?" Note also the slug-eating robot.

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