We Have Nothing to Fear But…

A UK-based paper published an article discussing the possibility of robots eventually overthrowing mankind.  Because of a debate raised by scientists at The Science Museum, the issue has been given some light.

So then that brings me to my question:  Should we be worried?

As of today, robots are used mainly in scenarios that are too dangerous or tedious for humans.  Many aspects of production now rely on robots, and that seems safe.  Mechanical arms are unlikely to be programmed to think for themselves or harm anyone.

Yet, the Korean military is developing robots programmed to shoot individuals on sight, the Japanese are attempting to create child-raising robots and the U.S. military is developing robotic helicopters that are programmed to kill as well.

How far is too far?  Should we play God by creating a race (likely in our own image) that could eventually deny us as their masters and creators?  Really, who could we trust to program machines like this?  Clearly, man has never known limits before, but then again, man rarely considers the consequences.

 

ACTing up

The Neurobiotics Lab at the University of Washington are currently developing what can only be escribed as the most realistic and anatomically correct robotic hand…ever.

The Anatomically Correct Testbed Hand (or ACT Hand for short) was constructed of passive compliant materials to allow for more fluid movement as opposed to traditional materials which provide a more rigid motion.  To program the hand, developers used simpler control algorithms instead of more advanced programming.  ACT developers hope that one day their work can be used to provide realistic and fully functional prosthetics.

 

A Helping ‘Hand’

The aging Baby Boomer generation may find some help from an unusual place.

Developers at the University of Massachussetts Amherst have created a robotic aid that can help perform tasks for the elderly, as well as serve as a reminder for medication doses, call 911 for help when needed, alert clients of incoming phone calls and act as a medium for doctors to make ‘house calls’.  The u-BOT5 is also capable of detecting dangerous situations (such as an object in the way) and act as a communication hub.

Fitted with sensors that allow it to ’see’ ad ‘hear’, the u-BOT5 will help ease the stress that is expected in the healthcare industry when more than 77 million Americans retire in the next few decades.

 

X Marks the Spot

Never send a man to do a robot’s job.

A silver mine in Mexico was recently scanned and mapped with the aid of robotic technology. 3D-R1 used sophisticated scanning equipment to map over 100 million data points by performing 80 scans of the area per day.

To complete the task, the robot, controlled remotely, relies on a long range 3-D scanner to gather data.  It’s also fitted with the software to inperet the data and a high-resolution digital camera.

The entire scan took just over 3 days and covered 1.4 miles of underground landscape.  Because of 3D-R1, old mine drawings have been replaced with accurate 3-D maps.

 

A Beautiful Mind

Researchers at Linkoping University in Sweden have been developing a new method of programming robotic minds.  The COSPAL project aims to model robotic thinking after human thinking.  People don’t make decisions or react based on predetermined mathmatical equations.  Learning is based on experience and enviornment.

The COSPAL (Cognitive Systems: Perception, Action, Learning) project has led to a cognitive robotic system that enables the robot to make decisions based on its past experiences and observation of humans as well as use those experiences to create reactions in unforseen situations.

 Alng these lines, robots may soon find their way out of traditional laboratories and factories and eventually living and learning among humans.

 

Paging Doctor Roboto

Carnegie Mellon has developed a new robot–the CardioArm.

The purpose of the CardioArm is to aid doctors in surgeries; not just as a visusal aid but to actually perform the surgeries under the command of the surgeon.  The Cardio arm is tiny enough to snake in through only a small incision and is built with 102 joints, so it’s movements are fluid and precise.  In fact, it is able to fit thorugh the some arteries and wrap itself around organs to avoid damaging delicate tissue.

In its experiemental stage, the CardioArm has already performed successful surgeries on pigs and human cadavers.  Blood loss is very minimal, and with just a few more upgrades, the final product is expected to fit inside the tiny blood vessels of the human body.

 

Pleo Gets an Upgrade

Pleo’s makers have recently announced that the robotic dinosaur will be getting a personality upgrade, available for download from the company’s site.  Ugobe’s new program aims to correct some glitches in the earlier versions by allowing for larger steps and reaches (for when pleo has to climb stairs), the ability to sit on his hind legs when resting and better interaction with the controls that allow for training.

Pleo’s upgrades arent only functional though.  He (or she) will now be able to sing and even catch a cold.  I’m starting to think a robotic dinosaur might be easier and more rewarding to care care of than my family’s dog.

 

Robots Aid in the Fight Against Global Warming

 

The British Antarctic Survey and the University of Braunschweig have joined forces to organize a series of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles flights over the Antarctic continent to survey damage caused by global warming.  The UAV’s take off and land with the help of humans, but the rest of the flight is automatic.  Thusfar, over 20 flights have been completed and lasts about 40 minutes.  Readings are sent back to headquarters and computed.  Unfortunately, as the snow and ice melt, less sunlight is reflected and the continental warming becomes exponential.

 

Playing Fetch

 

Scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology have made strides in overcoming the language barrier between humans and robots.  As robots are not nearly advanced enough to understand the many dialects, imperfections and complications involved in juman speech, and binary code isn’t offered as a foreign language at most schools, the solution doesnt involve speaking at all.

Instead, programmers have created El-E (Ellie).  El-E is designed to help users with limited mobility retrieve and move objects.  The user simply uses a green laser pointer to direct El-E to an object to bring to them, to another person or simply to another location.  She will follow the laser to the objects new location and scan for a face.  If none is present, she will search for a table or somewhere to place the object.

 

Good things, small packages

 

Researchers at Harvard University are continuing developments on robots that might seem more of a nuissance than helpful.

Scientists have been working for over 10 years on tiny robots based on the common housefly.  But the purpose of these guys isnt to annoy mom or get Rover jumping on the furnature–its to save the lives of those who human rescue workers can’t safely get to.

The insect robots can be used to fly over battle fields and scan for body heat or the carbon dioxide in exhaled breaths.  It’s likely the military may be the only one utilizing this technology for a while as each robot comes with the pricetag of $100,000.

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