How about getting dad a gift that will keep on giving all summer long, and for years to come? It’s a Roomba for your yard – the Robomower mows the lawn – you don’t!
Continue reading… “The Robomower”
Latest Freaky Japanese Robots
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cAwzSZqO_w[/youtube]
Can Robots Evolve? On Building the “Conscious” Machine…
How would you build a conscious machine? Well to begin with I’d get Life Insurance and then take my brain and put it in a jar and freeze my body. Then hundreds of years later wake me up and transplant me into an IronMan. Yes, I partially got that idea from the movie IronMan and from Futurama. I’m still going to do it though. But more to the point, Christof Koch and Giulio Tononi both have good points of in their articles that they wrote on consciousness and robots.
Continue reading… “Can Robots Evolve? On Building the “Conscious” Machine…”
Scientists Build Mind-Reading Computer
Some brains actually need crash protection
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh have developed a ‘mind-reading’ computer.
It is hoped the mind-reading machine, which can forecast the activity patterns a brain will create for a specific word, will offer a better understanding of how and where the brain stores information and even lead to improved treatments for language disorders and learning disabilities.
Continue reading… “Scientists Build Mind-Reading Computer”
Introducing the Six-Legged Logging Vehicle
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD2V8GFqk_Y[/youtube]
Look for an upcoming horror movie to involve one of these
Here is the a Plustech Oy / John Deere hexapod logging machine prototype. While it may look like some kind of alien life form, it’s actually a prototype vehicle for moving felled trees.
Continue reading… “Introducing the Six-Legged Logging Vehicle”
The Miracle of Bionics – Presenting Challenging Questions
Oscar Pitorius – the “blade runner”
Oscar Pistorius – also known as ‘Blade Runner’ – is a double leg amputee who is using specially developed artificial legs to compete in races. A world record holder in the 100, 200 and 400 meters Paralympic events, Pistorius was denied by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) his application to participate in the 2008 Summer Olympics. The IAAF argued that his prosthetic racing legs give him a clear competitive advantage. On May 16, the IAAF’s decision was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, allowing Pistorius to participate in the Olympics if he could make the minimum qualifying time.
This episode drives home the monumental issues our society will be facing in the not too distant future thanks to our increasing technological ability to enhance the human body.
Continue reading… “The Miracle of Bionics – Presenting Challenging Questions”
Future Inflatables Explore Mars
An army of inflatable, spherical robots might one day roll around on the Martian surface. Engineers who have designed the lightweight probes say they could economically explore vast regions of other planets.
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Introducing the Wallclimber Robot
For people who think robots walking on the floor are too boring
A research organization has developed a new technology that enables some robots to scale walls.
Wall-climbing robots could be a boon for the US military, which could use them on reconnaissance or other missions in war zones, said Philip von Guggenberg, director of business development for SRI International, a nonprofit research and development organization that created the technology. The independent group has received some funding from DARPA, the technology research arm of the Pentagon.
Continue reading… “Introducing the Wallclimber Robot”
A Perfect Woman? She’s No Lady, She’s a ‘BOT
Bot dating has become a serious problem in Japan
A lady with no mood swings, doesn’t throw tantrums if asked to run errands, offers a divine massage without acting ‘hard to get’ and is full of energy all through the day…..impossible? Eat your words ‘coz LISA is what you have always expected from a woman – Perfection. It’s time for the spoiler, this lady is actually a robotic product from AI Robotics.
Continue reading… “A Perfect Woman? She’s No Lady, She’s a ‘BOT”
Cliffhanger Robot Gives Stallone a Run for His Money
Good on this little EVOLTA-powered robot for climbing a 1,500-ft. Grand Canyon cliff on Saturday.
Continue reading… “Cliffhanger Robot Gives Stallone a Run for His Money”
Wearable Motorcycle Design
Much like an umbrella, this octopus like structure folds out of your hind quarters and lets you skim thru traffic
A motorcycle design student recently came up with a wearable motorcycle design that, while cool, is unlikely to see public adoption. The bike would be capable of doing 0 to 60 is just 3 seconds with a top speed of 75 miles-per-hour and would theoretically be controlled by 36 pneumatic muscles and 2 linear actuators. Collisions would be spectacular Humpty Dumpty exercises requiring more than all the king’s horses and all the kings men, but the design gets several thousand extra bonus points for coolness. More photos after the jump.
Continue reading… “Wearable Motorcycle Design”
Robotic Lawn Mowing Guy
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv61MzF1n7k[/youtube]
Robot slaves are all the rage in Japan
Isn’t this how we all envisioned the future? People just sitting around laughing it up, while your robot slave is busy doing all the gruntwork, like mowing the lawn. This little guy is working his metal ass off, never complaining.
Continue reading… “Robotic Lawn Mowing Guy”