‘Smart Fur’ allows robo-pets to gauge owners’ emotions

smart fur

A piece of smart fur can tell the difference between pets, scratches or even the breath of a human owner.

If pets can have positive effects on their owners’ emotions would a robot pet be able to do the same? At the University of British Columbia a robo-bunny has been developed that can mediate its users’ emotions, calming them down or cheering them up by leading them through deep-breathing exercises, for example. The robo-bunny also has a pulse and can stiffen or relax its ears.

Continue reading… “‘Smart Fur’ allows robo-pets to gauge owners’ emotions”

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?”

Japanese spandex manufacturer makes elastic electric and USB cables

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tJH4KOrpfU&hd=1[/youtube]

Asahi Kasei Fibers, a Japanese company which manufactures spandex and other textiles, has applied its knowledge of stretchable materials to make stretchable elastic power and USB cables.

 

Continue reading… “Japanese spandex manufacturer makes elastic electric and USB cables”

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”

QinetiQ introduces unmanned micro military robot

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Nnj4ky4Z_g[/youtube]

QinetiQ North America (QNA), a defense technology company has launched a ten-pound tyke of a robot that can operate in hostile military environments, doing reconnaissance before fighters come in. The DR10 robot is designed as a lightweight offshoot of the company’s Dragon Runner military robots. The new DR Lite edition is intended specifically for supporting small military units and first responders.

 

Continue reading… “QinetiQ introduces unmanned micro military robot”

Foxconn to replace hard-working people with 1 million robots

robots-foxconn

There are 10,000 robots at the factory now and that number will increase by 300,000 next year.

Hard-working human maufacturers are about to be replaced by about 1 million robots at Foxconn. If you think about it that is a number that is a very telling comment on the current state of electronics manufacturing.

 

Continue reading… “Foxconn to replace hard-working people with 1 million robots”

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.