Machines are often filling in for our smarts, not just for our brawn — and this trend is likely to grow.
Although last week’s labor market report showed modest job growth, employment opportunities remain stubbornly low in the United States, giving new prominence to the old notion that automation throws people out of work.
Cubli robot
Cubli is a cube-shaped robot made with off-the-shelf parts that can jump up, balance on a single corner and “walk” itself across a desk. (Video)
Continue reading… “The Cubli: a cube robot that can jump up, balance, and walk”
U.N. will begin to lay the groundwork for the role robots will play in war.
People are promised their quality of life will improve with the advances of technology, and what could be a better example of that than sending robots instead of humans into dangerous situations? Robots can help conduct research in deep oceans and harsh climates, or deliver food and medical supplies to disaster areas. (Video)
Continue reading… “Controversy brews over use of autonomous killer robots in war”
The Sproutling
Wearables for babies, theatrical robots and 3D bio printers are some of the types of technologies that might be “out there,” but they show off key enabling technologies that are pushing the future of design forward. These types of technologies were highlighted at Bloomberg Business Week’s Design Conference in San Francisco this week.
Continue reading… “Top 5 technologies that are shaping the future of design”
Kuka Agilus robot
We expected a fair fight when robot maker Kuka announced that it would be pitting its Agilus robot against table tennis star Timo Boll last month. Conditioned professional human athlete against a cold, merciless, bright orange mechanical arm on a small wooden field, both wielding the same armament: a miniature bat. Boll was once ranked world number one, but Kuka claimed its robot was the quickest in the world. The Agilus was named for its lightning-fast movements, and would presumably be able to rapidly spin into position and return Boll’s balls from anywhere on the table. (Video)
Continue reading… “Kuka robot plays table tennis world champion Timo Boll”
Toro-bots
No matter how pretty your garden may be it only gets that way because of all of the hard work you put into it. But, in the future gardens might not need your help at all, reordering themselves at a robotic whim. (Video)
Continue reading… “Toro-bots: Walking robotic lamps reorganize garden landscapes”
One day robots will replace humans in certain jobs.
Eric Schmidt, Google chairman, thinks robots have their work cut out for them if they want to replace people. “There’s something about humans that technologists always forget,” he said. “Humans are creative and unpredictable.”
Continue reading… “9 robots that are actually stealing our jobs”
Robots have been working in factories for decades.
Ray Kurzweil predicted a new era of thinking machines that will meet and then exceed human intelligence when he published The Age Of Spiritual Machines in 1999. The idea seemed outlandish at the time, but not so much anymore.
Continue reading… “Why the future of technology is all too human”
Hangar One
What would you do with a 350,000-square-foot hangar built to house helium airships for the U.S. Navy if you were Google, Inc.? Would you use the cavernous interior for building and testing new robots, planetary rovers and other space or aviation technology?
Continue reading… “Google planning aerospace, robotic projects for Hangar One”
Air Hockey Robot
The Air Hockey Robot, developed by Jose Julio out of some spare 3D printer parts and a PS3 camera, is a tough competitor to beat. The robot uses its camera and an Arduino Mega to correctly predict the trajectory of the puck, even when it’s rebounding haphazardly across the table. With freedom of motion on two axes, the robot can even predict how best to return your last futile attempt to score against its robo-defense. (Video)
Continue reading… “Air Hockey Robot built from 3D printer parts”
The UAE is looking to use drones to deliver government documents.
Drone delivery could soon become a reality in the United Arab Emirates. The UAE government announced it is developing a plan to use drones to deliver “official documents and packages,” stuff like government IDs and drivers licenses.
Continue reading… “Delivery drones that can scan your eyes coming soon to the UAE”
Dyson Vacuum entrepreneur to announce new robotics laboratory in London.
Sir James Dyson, the British entrepreneur, has outlined his vision for a new era of household android robots that will be able to clean the windows, guard property – and, presumably, vacuum the carpet.
Continue reading… “Dyson enters race to provide ‘advanced household androids’ for all”