Tiny robots building their own tools

SRI International has updated their tiny dime sized robots that can how build their own tools. The SRI unveiled their tiny robots last year, but since then they have updated and improved their robots. There is hope that the tiny robots could be improved by making the robots move through magnetic levitation. The applications for these robots will only grow as the technology improves. One day it could even be possible to have tiny robots inside a larger one repairing and carrying out small tasks. Complete building could be constructed by a swarm of thousands of them and could vastly expand the reach of human potential. Maybe even one day, we could have nano sized robots inside us fighting off viruses along side our immune system.   

The New Boston Dynamics ATLAS

Boston Dynamics has really raised the bar on current robotic humanoids after unveiling its new ATLAS model. The new model is significantly lighter and can navigate outdoors without the need for a tether. It also has the ability to pick objects and open simple obstacles. The ATLAS can also stand back up even if it falls over. Boston Dynamics has created the most advanced humanoid so far and the technology could have incredible applications in the near future. The need to send humans into hazardous environments could soon be prevented by sending these robots in our place. Also soon they will be able to navigate just as well as we can and could take over dangerous jobs.
Some day these robots will be able to deliver packages to homes, clean up radioactive material, or do something as simple as help in construction. The future is here, all we need is a little more time.

Monkeys On Wheels

The researchers at Duke University have created a wireless brain-machine interface that has given monkeys the ability to control wheelchairs. The interface works by the use of hundreds of tiny gold connections attached to the monkeys brain that produce signals that are then interpreted by the program to create commands for the software. Conventional attempts only last a short time before they start to have problems and have a risk of giving the patient an infection. This current technology has been in testing and recording the monkeys brain signals for the past 7 years now. The researchers are currently developing another model that can support 1000 channels of information compared to the 512 currently used. The technology is still being further tested and developed, but it's hoped that this could soon be moved to the clinical trials. The benefit this would bring to handicapped individuals would be unparalleled and could help change the way we address current challenges today.

Robotic arms are making drummers louder

In recent news, George Tech has developed a robotic arm that serves as a third appendage for drummers. The arm is held by a series of straps that works like a third arm for the drummer, and independently adapts rhythm based on what it hears. Once the drummer starts playing, the robot arm will listen and add in to the rhythm of the drummer, changing tunes if it detects a change in the drummers beat. The applications of this technology go far beyond playing music; there is hopes of this technology to be applied to other fields to assist doctors in retrieving tools or work along side them in operations. The robotic arm is still in its early stages, but it is hoped that in the future not only drummers will be getting an helping hand.  

Drones To The Rescue

 In recent news, researchers from the Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence, the University of Zurich Switzerland, have developed search and rescue drones. Currently the Institute has been able to create drones that can self navigate through forest trails, and with an 85% accuracy distinguish man made trails. Unlike conventional navigation methonds, these drones use cameras instead of sensors to interpret the environment around them. Special software and data interpreting techniques were developed to create highly accurate and smart navigation algorithms for the drones. The goal is to one day deploy thousands of these tiny quad-copters among forest trails to cover a vast area in order to search for lost hikers. The technology is not fully developed yet, but it is projected that in the following years these drones will be implemented in the Swiss trails along side forest guards to locate hikers.

Presentations

So after viewing the presentations given by the class I thought most of them went well. It was beyond obvious that some of the class mates were distracted throughout the entire assignment, but for those who did put in effort I think their presentations were pretty cool.
I learned about the first military robot created during world war 2 by the Germans named the Goliath. Which was a remote controlled mine that was used to destroy tanks and damage structures. I also learned a bit more about NASA's rover Curiosity and how its been on Mars for over 3 years now studying the composition of the soil and other interesting aspects like geography. Most of the information covered by the presentations was a bit general and mostly every body had similar ideas and topics.

Military Robots Documentary Part 2

Reflecting on the documentary, military robots will one day change the world. It might have a positive outcome, it could bring the world to its knees but there is no doubt that military robots will one day become a reality. Robots have yet to lift off, but they are expected to become antonymous in within the next few decades. The possibility of humanoid robots is cool, but war is a controversial idea. War is used to make a nation richer, and the loser weaker. Military robots would primarily be used in war, and could be devastating to the worlds peace. It could also be turned against its own people and allow governments to turn tyrannical. Technology has lead to some of the greatest advancements in human history, but it has also changed how warfare and country's engage in war. Robots are the next step towards the future, and hopefully they be used for the best.

Military Robot Documentary

After watching the military robot documentary I learned that the U.S. government are working on creating killing robots. In a sense they already have succeed in creating the first generation of killing machines. During Iraq they introduced the first Predator UAV which had the capability to fly into hostile areas and destroy targets with Hell Fire Missiles. Newer models are in progress and with each advance there coming closer to turning into deadly toys for the military. In Boston a company is developing a robot named "Big Dog" which looks a lot like a dog and can lift over 300 pounds of equipment and run up to 30 mph. If u prefer to lift your self, try an exosuit on and easily lift over 200 pounds without a struggle. These robots are said to be ready to enter the battle field by 2025... and I'm ready to avoid the battle field way before that!

Living Machines: Rise Of The Robot part 3

As robotics continue to advance one big question remains, will robots ever become human like? Engineers in Japan are paving the way for the humanoid robots, and have been successful in creating a walking robot previously thought impossible to create. Although the robots still lack fluid movements, they show signs of promise by slowly advancing the humanoid project. A robot has also been able to express human facial emotions in an effort to mimic the human body. Researchers at MIT are leading the way in artificial intelligence and hope to one day incorporate it into robots. But the question stands, how far will robots go?
Machines have come a long way since the industrial revolution, and have forever changed the way how humans interact. They have helped human productivity at an exponential rate and have made their way into the every day life of mankind. From allowing us to travel across the land, to air travel, they have made an impact. But now, as machines evolve into robots, how far will they go? Will they change how the everyday human works, or will they replace us completely?
The future is unclear, but hopefully they will drive for me one day.

Living Machines: The Rise of the robot part 2

After resuming and watching the documentary for the second half, I am convinced robots will invade the battle field one day. New robots are constantly being designed and created in effort to overcome some epidemic. In the latest years, drones and other military vehicles have made their way into the battle field and have pushed the war efforts. Most are claimed to be for intelligence gathering, but others are on the verge of looking like pre-terminator machines. They have the capability of being able to reproduce and carry out the same task millions of times without failure. This allows them to be able to take control for them selves and pilot the most remote areas. Humans can't survive in outer space with out huge instruments and food supplies. Satellites only need to harvest the energy from the sun, and make them the perfect fit.

Living machines: The rising of the robot

After watching the documentary "Living machines: The rising of the robot" I had an interesting reaction towards what I saw. Typically most people think of robots as the humanoid figures, but in reality most robots are far from that. Most robots in use today are being used in industrial, military, and in environments hazardous to humans. Robots are seen as the next big step in human history because they are being able to accomplish task that humans would never be able to undertake. Each human live is valuable, but robots are disposable. In the documentary I saw robots that I had never seen before, some only idling up and about the room, others cleaning up radioactive waste from power plants. Slowly but profoundly impact full, some of these mechanical contraptions are making there way into our lives. Most robots I saw had some significant use, others were just plain weird. The field of robotics is ever growing but I'm struggling to find use in a robotic baby. Its amazing engineers were able to build a baby simulating robot but its plain creepy.

Robot News

Developers at MIT have created a new robot named Hermes that are helping close the gap between humans and robots. Unlike most conventional robots Hermes has the ability to remain upright with little to no problem. It also comes equipped with a set of 3 fingered arms that can easily accomplish human tasks. Hermes is controlled remotely by a person which can track the robots movements through cameras. Hermes is helping close the gap between human and robot by allowing future robots to do hazardous work.
The problem with current robots is the lack of artificial intelligence that allow for complicated tasks. By replacing the artificial intelligence with a human controller, the need for such demanding software is eliminated and work can progress.
Not to overlook, Hermes has progressed the robot field by giving it human like reflexes that could help the development of precise robots. The robotic field has advanced in recent years, but progress can be slow and costly. Making even small improvements to current models can help the development of future prototypes and help the robotic field.
Hermes is making a small but significant step towards implementing future robot workers and hopefully within the next few years they will be in action building new projects.

http://www.gizmag.com/mit-hermes-remote-controlled-robot/38847/