[ekim68]

This is the goal of a EU-funded project called HISMAR (Hull Identification System for Marine Autonomous Robotics). European researchers and engineers are working on an automated robotic cleaning system that removes marine growth from the hull of a ship. By cleaning a ship’s hull, this robot will allow ships to travel through the water more efficiently by cutting down on drag — and of course reducing fuel costs. The researchers said this robot acts like a vacuum cleaner — in or out of the water. A prototype will be shown next week at the Shipbuilding, Machinery and Marine Technology Conference in Hamburg, Germany (SMM 2008).

http://blogs.zdnet.com/emergingtech/?p=1040&tag=nl.e539

[ekim68]

The future of armies?

TechX Contest Preps Non-Superpower Military Bots for Urban War

Like DARPA's competitions in the U.S., Singapore's new robot showdown offers big bucks for smart bots, and these iRobot mods could lead the way for smaller countries to hand-build autonomous armies of their own. On hand for this weekend's stair-climbing, elevator-riding action, PM gets a sneak peek at the high-tech challenges ahead.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/scie...s/4283639.html

[ekim68]

MIT Submarine Is Most Autonomous Robot Ocean Researcher Yet

On the heels of successful bot building by land and air, the all-new Odyssey IV explores the ocean's depths on its own while fighting strong currents and gathering crucial data.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/scie...s/4285189.html

[ekim68]

Little Seiko: Japanese company develops creepy kindergarten girl robot

Tokyo-based electronics company Murata yesterday unveiled a small humanoid robot [JP] that can unicycle forward and backward and is also able to stop without falling over.

http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/09/24...en-girl-robot/

[ekim68]

Robot suit for rent in Japan to help people walk

TSUKUBA, Japan - A robotic suit that reads brain signals and helps people with mobility problems will be available to rent in Japan for $2,200 a month starting Friday - an invention that may have far-reaching benefits for the disabled and elderly.

HAL - short for "hybrid assistive limb" - is a computerized suit with sensors that read brain signals directing limb movement through the skin.

The 22-pound (10-kilogram) battery-operated computer system is belted to the waist. It captures the brain signals and relays them to mechanical leg braces strapped to the thighs and knees, which then provide robotic assistance to people as they walk.

http://www.mytelus.com/ncp_news/arti...icleID=3010829

[lotuseclat79]

Machines Almost Pass Mass Turing Test.

"Of the five computer finalists at this year's Loebner prize Turing Test, at least three managed to fool humans into thinking they were human conversationalists. Ready to speak about Eminem to Slaughterhouse Five and everything in between, these machines are showing they we're merely a clock cycle away from true AI. '...I was fooled. I mistook Eugene for a real human being. In fact, and perhaps this is worse, he was so convincing that I assumed that the human being with whom I was simultaneously conversing was a computer.' Another of the entrants, Jabberwacky, can apparently even woo the ladies: 'Some of its conversational partners confide in it every day; one conversation, with a teenaged girl, lasted 11 hours.' The winning submission this year, Elbot, fooled 25% of judges into thinking he was human. The threshold for the $100K prize is 30%. Maybe next year..."

-- Tom

[ekim68]

Wow, they're getting closer, aren't they Tom?

[lotuseclat79]

Hi Mike,

I think its time to change the testing standards - too close for comfort!

OTOH, if they submitted a Sean Young-like fembot as in Blade Runner - well, now that would probably fool me!

-- Tom

[BanditFlyer]

Originally Posted by lotuseclat79

Machines Almost Pass Mass Turing Test.



-- Tom

I actually found one of those on an internet forum once. It was pretty cool. Didn't take much effort to trip it up though.

Don't remember how or where I found it but I'll take a look at your link

[ekim68]

Flower robots for your home

Flower robots are not new and some have already been developed in the U.S. Now, South Korean researchers have created a robotic plant which acts like real ones. This robot has humidifying, oxygen-producing, aroma-emitting, and kinetic functions. It is about 1.30 meter tall and 40 centimeters in diameter. The robotic plant can interact with people when they approach it and can ‘dance’ when music is played. The researchers don’t say when a commercial version of their flowers will come to market. They also don’t mention a retail price.

http://blogs.zdnet.com/emergingtech/?p=1066&tag=nl.e539

[ekim68]

Operating inside a Beating Heart

A new robotic system could let surgeons repair heart valves without shutting down the heart.

http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/21582/

[ekim68]

Can a robot be in a good or in a bad mood?

According to the Taranaki Daily News in New Zealand, the answer is yes. Engineers at Victoria University in Wellington have developed a robot which adapts its behavior according to its emotions. Marvin — short for ‘Mobile Autonomous Robotic Vehicle for Indoor Navigation’ — can express happiness, anger or frustration. As said the lead researcher, ‘We’ve given Marvin the emotion of anger or frustration. If he finds that he’s trapped and can’t get out, he’ll become more agitated and more frustrated in his movements.’ This robot could act as a security guard, like it does at Victoria, or as a search-and-rescue agent. So far, the research team has no plans to commercialize it, but read more…

http://blogs.zdnet.com/emergingtech/?p=1075&tag=nl.e539

[ekim68]

Robodoc: surgeon of the future in theaters now

LONDON (Reuters) - A mechanical snake that can enter the body through natural orifices -- not an incision -- to perform operations is just one futuristic device researchers believe will transform traditional surgical techniques.

http://www.reuters.com/article/techn...4A307B20081104

[ekim68]

Honda unveils wearable walking device

Imagine a bicycle seat connected by mechanical frames to a pair of shoes for an idea of how the new wearable assisted-walking gadget from Honda works.

The experimental device, unveiled Friday in Tokyo, is designed to support body weight, reduce stress on the knees and help people get up steps and stay in crouching positions.

http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2...lk-assist.html

(Not quite robotic, but...)

[help4me]

hmmmm... interesting.