Archive for the ‘robots’ Category

Our robot-ruled future (it’s not as scary as you think)

Wednesday, October 1st, 2008

Howie Choset with a robot inspired by the elephant's trunk. Photo: Jeff SwensonActually, it’s pretty cool. Then again, it’s not just pretty cool — it’s extremely cool. Icy even.

Most people have an idea of what a robot should do: it should serve us –- cart snacks over to the couch, rub our feet, make the bed. Kind of like a slave, which is when all the worries about robot consciousness crop up. Uh oh!

But the technology coming out of robotics allows your camera to self-focus and gets rid of pink-eye. It’s also allowing for better medical treatment with regard to, for example, prostate surgery (just went to a lecture on this last night, with video).

In fact, maybe someday –- and this is the most fascinating robot-related research I’ve read about recently — you’ll be able to pull a mobile phone out of your pocket and morph it into a laptop. Seriously. I’m shivering over here.

LINKS:
- “Intel Talks Up Our Wire-Free, Robot-Ruled Future”
- “Ready for the Robot Revolution”

Create wearable technology with your sewing machine and LilyPad Arduino

Sunday, June 22nd, 2008

Turn-signal biking jacket by Leah BuechleyLeah Buechley is a postdoc in computer science at UC-Boulder. Sound boring? No way! Her research focuses on e-textiles and she’s part of a Craft Technology group at the university.

Remember Diana Eng from Season 2 of Project Runway? Leah Buechley’s work is much cooler. In fact, she’s created a kit you can use to make your own interactive fashion — from turn-signal biking jackets to LED tank tops.

Once you know how the electronics work, sew away. Or once you learn how to sew, add the electronics. Wearable tech is the wave of the future, both as decoration and tool. Be on the vanguard.

Links:
- Leah Buechley [UPDATED: this is her new position at MIT]
- LilyPad Arduino
- Diana Eng

Dogs — not robot’s best friend

Thursday, June 12th, 2008

Stephanie Kesler's new Pleo robot toy inspects her four-year-old, 100-pound Bouvier, Tyge.I’m not sure this is surprising to anyone: Dogs don’t like robots that zoom around their floor sucking up dirt. They don’t like human-powered vacuum cleaners either. And they don’t like robotic pets, which they see as a threat.

Human beings anthropomorphize robots even though they know bots are machines. So why wouldn’t animals do the same? (Anima-morphize?)

The interesting bit in this story is:

Seeking help, [dog-owner] Mr. Hearn found an online forum dedicated to the hundred-dollar Roomba buzzing with similar stories of pet assailants. Owners were offering advice. Among the most popular: Chastise the vacuum in front of the dog.

And so, with Argos [his dog] looking on, Mr. Hearn shook his finger at his gadget and sternly called it “a bad Roomba.” Argos appeared to be mollified. “After that, he never tried nipping at it again,” says Mr. Hearn.

But what about the Roomba? Was it upset after that wholly unjustified negative reinforcement? Apparently Mr. Hearn didn’t care. Not one bit. Poor robot.

Link:
- “When Dogs and Robots Collide, Somebody Needs a Talking To”