Ecovacs Air Purifying Robot

IL CES Direct Feed

Robot air cleanerrrrr

Now you can have a robot that moves where it needs to and purifies the air.

The level of pollution in our ecosystem is often higher than ever before. Many of us live in places where the air quality is questionable and could use help, especially if you already have some sort of health condition. Many types of air purification devices are available, but none function like this one. The Ecovacs Deebot A330 is an autonomously moving air purifier robot. It moves around in the house, and stops at different spots to filter the air…

Article by Andrew Frey with Thomas Frey reporting directly from CES in Las Vegas.

Continue reading… “Ecovacs Air Purifying Robot”

Cyborg insect power breakthrough

CYBORG-INSECTS

Researchers are a step closer to finding a reliable power source for the bug-borne sensors.

Scientists have been pushing hard to outfit robobugs, or some may call then insect cyborgs, with tiny electronic sensors–saying these insect-machine mash-ups could prove invaluable in applications ranging from search-and-rescue to espionage. (Video)

Continue reading… “Cyborg insect power breakthrough”

Robots Suck At Scratching Vinyl

The DJs of the world can breathe a sigh of relief, because if this video is any indication, it’s going to be a long time before they’re in jeopardy of losing gigs to robots.

Watch in horror as this artificial turntablist lays down some of the worst beats I’ve ever heard from the wheels of steel. And that’s including my own feeble attempts on a friend’s 1200s.

Continue reading… “Robots Suck At Scratching Vinyl”

Will future robots be capable of following moral principles?

moral machines

Moral machines in the future?

Will robots in the future be capable of follow moral principles and understand them?  A robot walks into a bar and says, “I’ll have a screwdriver.” That is definitely a bad joke. But what if the robot says “Give me what’s in your cash register?”  That would be even less funny.

Continue reading… “Will future robots be capable of following moral principles?”

Inflatable Robots: The cheap, lightweight robotic alternative?

4peopleriding-1024x682.jpg.492x0_q85_crop-smart

Inflatable robots provide a whole new avenue of exploration.

The 15-foot-long Ant-Roach (pictured above) really demonstrates the carrying capacity and high strength-to-weight ratios of these inflatable structures. It weighs in just under 70 lbs but it can carry up to 1000 lbs, making the payload of a few people no problem at all. The initial concept was more elephant-like but the final product came out like this anteater-cockroach hybrid, hence its name.

This huggable robot was developed by Otherlab’s Pneubotics program; a collaborative effort between the San-Francisco-based research firm, Meka Robotics, Stanford University, and DARPA…

Continue reading… “Inflatable Robots: The cheap, lightweight robotic alternative?”

Mind control: pushing the limits

brainwave-reading_headset-spl

There are a variety of brainwave-reading headsets on the market today.

If you want to make things move with your mind, you don’t have to be a Jedi.  Although we may not be able to lift a spaceship out of a swamp like Yoda does in The Empire Strikes Back, but it is possible to steer a model car, drive a wheelchair and control a robotic exoskeleton with just your thoughts. (Pics)

 

Continue reading… “Mind control: pushing the limits”

Artificial intelligence difference engine: Luddite legacy

robot

If the Luddite Fallacy were true, we would all be out of work by now.

There is a tale told about Henry Ford II showing Walter Reuther, the veteran leader of the United Automobile Workers, around a newly automated car plant. “Walter, how are you going to get those robots to pay your union dues,” gibed the boss of Ford Motor Company. Reuther replied, “Henry, how are you going to get them to buy your cars?”

Continue reading… “Artificial intelligence difference engine: Luddite legacy”

Tank-like robot climbs walls with gecko-inspired feet

gecko-robot.jpg.492x0_q85_crop-smart

This robot can go places most others cannot.

Simon Fraiser University researchers have taken a page from the gecko “walk on any surface” handbook and applied it to a robot that looks a bit like a tank.

If you’ve never seen a gecko just hanging out on glass, it’s rather amazing. Not a whole lot of animals the size of a gecko can manage to just stand there on glass like it’s nothing…

Continue reading… “Tank-like robot climbs walls with gecko-inspired feet”

Post-Employment Era: Humans need not apply

help wanted

Perhaps comedian Steven Wright said it best:

“I lost my job the other day. Well, I didn’t really lose it. I know where it’s at, it’s just when I go there someone else is doing it.”

They say that the truest comedy is the funniest, and there is nothing truer than the statement above. Steven’s old job didn’t go anywhere… his employer just found someone more qualified, more efficient, or less costly to do it. In today’s economy where layoffs and a bleak job market are the norm, the joke has lost a great deal of it’s humor. But a good look at the data proves Steven’s point — all those jobs are still there, it’s just that employers are finding more qualified, more efficient, and more cost-effective help.

Continue reading… “Post-Employment Era: Humans need not apply”

Discover the Hidden Patterns of Tomorrow with Futurist Thomas Frey
Unlock Your Potential, Ignite Your Success.

By delving into the futuring techniques of Futurist Thomas Frey, you’ll embark on an enlightening journey.

Learn More about this exciting program.