BigDog has grown an arm where its face should be – and throws concrete blocks around with it. The video is 100% nightmare fodder pretty amazing to watch:
The video really should have a dubstep soundtrack. Sweet dreams everyone!
More here
“Race Against the Machines”
“…The attitude has basically been, ‘when computers can replace human thinking and intuition, then we’ll worry about it.’ Well, according to Race Against The Machines, a new book by MIT’s Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee, it’s time to worry.” Read more here
Group “Human Rights Watch” calls for ban of killer robots
Human Rights Watch sees that we are on the verge of robotic decisions to end human lives. (As discussed here , here, and here.) They are calling on an end to “killer robots” before we cross that threshold. “There are precursors both on the ground and in the air that are problematic and show the development of [...]
Download and print your own robot
According to futurists, we will eventually all have 3D printers. A 3D printer prints drops of melted solid, like plastic or metal, waits for it to cool and harden, and repeats the process, until a complete three-dimensional object has been created. Eventually, if your printed flipflop breaks, for example, you just throw it into the [...]
Kuratas Battle Mech
13′ tall, 4 tons, capable of firing 6,000 rounds per minute, and costing 1.4 million dollars, we have Kuratas, by Suidobashi Heavy Industry. Kuratas is a prototype, and was designed more as a toy than a machine of war (the 6,000 rounds per minute are bb’s) but no doubt helps to further the technology involved in these inevitable mech [...]
BigDog grows an arm… and throws cinderblocks with it
Posted by Eric on February 28th, 2013
Pneupard – pneumatic quadruped
Posted by Eric on February 25th, 2013
Osaka University is developing a quadruped based on a cheetah, using pneumatics instead of servos to generate movement. in an effort to more closely approximate the mechanics of an actual cat.
“You can see the Pneupard’s hind legs walking on a treadmill in the video below. Rosendo notes that the researchers haven’t pre-programmed the muscles by hand; the muscles actually activate based on EMG signals recorded from a cat walking on a treadmill. The only sensors used by the robot are force sensors in each foot.”
Article here
ASPCR – American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Robots
Posted by Eric on February 13th, 2013
As previously mentioned, we keep making robots more and more realistic, more human-like. Eventually, robots may be endowed with feelings and emotions. (Doesn’t seem smart to me, but it seems inevitable.) Given that, I think there should be some protections in place. Protection for the robots, which in a sense, would help preserve our own humanity.
More here
DARPA’s Amphibious robot crushes rafts
Posted by Eric on February 11th, 2013
… well it’s not really a robot, but I’m sure robotic versions will be made eventually, since it’s DARPA…
(Okay, I admit it, it was a slow day for robot news.)
HUBO to participate in the DARPA Robotic Challenge
Posted by Eric on February 9th, 2013
This is HUBO, developed by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in 2005. HUBO is going to be participating in the DARPA Robotic Challenge.
“The Department of Defense’s strategic plan calls for the Joint Force to conduct humanitarian, disaster relief and related operations. The plan identifies requirements to extend aid to victims of natural or man-made disasters and conduct evacuation operations. Some disasters, however, due to grave risks to the health and wellbeing of rescue and aid workers, prove too great in scale or scope for timely and effective human response. The DARPA Robotics Challenge (DRC) will attempt to address this capability gap by promoting innovation in robotic technology for disaster-response operations. ”
Pretty articulate! (If the music in the video is not to your liking, just be glad I didn’t embed the one where he dances to Gangnam Style.)
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“Race Against the Machines”
Posted by Eric on February 9th, 2013
“…The attitude has basically been, ‘when computers can replace human thinking and intuition, then we’ll worry about it.’
Well, according to Race Against The Machines, a new book by MIT’s Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee, it’s time to worry.”
Read more here
DARPA’s Pet-Proto Robot Navigates Obstacles
Posted by Eric on February 6th, 2013
DARPA’s PETMAN robot is good at walking and doing pushups, but their Pet-Proto model is learning to navigate difficult terrain, so that it can chase down humans in a post-apocalyptic rescue humans in the event of natural or manmade disaster.
Pet-Proto’s developed form will be called Atlas, pictured below:
“ATLAS will walk like a human over rough terrain, crawling on its hands and knees when necessary and turning itself sideways to slip through any narrow passages it encounters.”
More here
Elbit Systems’ VIPeR
Posted by Eric on February 6th, 2013
VIPeR uses the “Galileo Wheel” system, which can transform from a wheel to treads in seconds. It can be carried in a backpack by one person, and is controlled remotely via a control harness and helmet-mounted display.
Group “Human Rights Watch” calls for ban of killer robots
Posted by Eric on February 3rd, 2013
Human Rights Watch sees that we are on the verge of robotic decisions to end human lives. (As discussed here , here, and here.) They are calling on an end to “killer robots” before we cross that threshold.
“There are precursors both on the ground and in the air that are problematic and show the development of autonomous technology is getting into a dangerous area.”
“‘Killer robots’ with the ability to attack people without human intervention should be pre-emptively banned, a major human rights group has warned.”
More here
