First zombie dogs, and now scientists create robot lobster - RedsZone.com - Cincinnati Reds Fans' Home for Baseball Discussion

savafan · 06-30-2005, 11:49 AM

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117...-13762,00.html

By Andrew Stern in Chicago
June 27, 2005

MEET the robot lobster and the android that not only smiles, frowns and blinks but also recognises people and talks back.
They're two of the entries at Wired Magazine's annual NextFest, a high-tech carnival at a Chicago convention hall this weekend showcasing futuristic, uncannily lifelike technology.

"The difference between animals and robots is robots get stuck while animals squirm their way through," said inventor-engineer Joseph Ayers of Boston's Northeastern University.

His robo-lobsters, designed to roam the sea floor and find undersea mines, are equipped with "neurons" that allow them to work their way around clutter much as real lobsters would.

Employing sequenced mechanical muscles made from the same metal mesh material used to make the stents implanted in heart patients, Mr Ayers said his work might lead to more lifelike prosthesis.

He hopes to shrink the mechanics behind the robot's movements on to a computer chip.

Also on display at NextFest were a combination submersible jet-ski, a virtual air hockey game and corporate entries such as General Motors' hydrogen-powered vehicles and General Electric's technologies to generate energy and make drinking water out of seawater.

A robot that resembles a small tank on legs was admired by Major Jeff Stone, who was taking a break from the army's nearby exhibit.

"Our soldiers love these things," Maj Stone said, referring to iRobot's Packbot, a hundred of which are in Iraq defusing and exploding bombs.

The most lifelike robot on display was one depicting the late science fiction writer Philip K. Dick created by Dallas company Hanson Robotics, whose founder David Hanson formerly worked at Disney.

The figure is seated on a sofa, and its face performed human actions ? frowning, blinking, smiling ? and replied to visitors' comments using a software program that chose from among 10,000 pages of Dick's writings.

Cameras behind its eyes could "recognise" acquaintances.

Initially a probable museum piece or fancy toy, the androids could one day become companions for the elderly.

Genuine life was represented by a cloned bengal cat and its "parent".

One man asked if a clone of the cloned cat could be possible, or if the clone could be bred. Told the answer was yes on both counts, he remarked to a friend: "You're next, dude."

RedFanAlways1966 · 06-30-2005, 11:53 AM

Do they scream when dumped into boiling water!??!

That would be really great if they become servicable for finding sea mines. Like The Incredible Mr. Limpet.

06-30-2005, 11:49 AM	#1
savafan Maple SERP Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 17,485	First zombie dogs, and now scientists create robot lobster http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117...-13762,00.html By Andrew Stern in Chicago June 27, 2005 MEET the robot lobster and the android that not only smiles, frowns and blinks but also recognises people and talks back. They're two of the entries at Wired Magazine's annual NextFest, a high-tech carnival at a Chicago convention hall this weekend showcasing futuristic, uncannily lifelike technology. "The difference between animals and robots is robots get stuck while animals squirm their way through," said inventor-engineer Joseph Ayers of Boston's Northeastern University. His robo-lobsters, designed to roam the sea floor and find undersea mines, are equipped with "neurons" that allow them to work their way around clutter much as real lobsters would. Employing sequenced mechanical muscles made from the same metal mesh material used to make the stents implanted in heart patients, Mr Ayers said his work might lead to more lifelike prosthesis. He hopes to shrink the mechanics behind the robot's movements on to a computer chip. Also on display at NextFest were a combination submersible jet-ski, a virtual air hockey game and corporate entries such as General Motors' hydrogen-powered vehicles and General Electric's technologies to generate energy and make drinking water out of seawater. A robot that resembles a small tank on legs was admired by Major Jeff Stone, who was taking a break from the army's nearby exhibit. "Our soldiers love these things," Maj Stone said, referring to iRobot's Packbot, a hundred of which are in Iraq defusing and exploding bombs. The most lifelike robot on display was one depicting the late science fiction writer Philip K. Dick created by Dallas company Hanson Robotics, whose founder David Hanson formerly worked at Disney. The figure is seated on a sofa, and its face performed human actions ? frowning, blinking, smiling ? and replied to visitors' comments using a software program that chose from among 10,000 pages of Dick's writings. Cameras behind its eyes could "recognise" acquaintances. Initially a probable museum piece or fancy toy, the androids could one day become companions for the elderly. Genuine life was represented by a cloned bengal cat and its "parent". One man asked if a clone of the cloned cat could be possible, or if the clone could be bred. Told the answer was yes on both counts, he remarked to a friend: "You're next, dude." __________________ This is the Cal Ripkin Jr. of typos. If you ask me to join your fantasy baseball league and I select Legolas in the first round, don't be angry at me. It's not my fault I've read up on the players and you haven't.

06-30-2005, 11:53 AM	#2
RedFanAlways1966 For a Level Playing Field Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Oakwood, OH Posts: 11,244	Re: First zombie dogs, and now scientists create robot lobster Do they scream when dumped into boiling water!??! That would be really great if they become servicable for finding sea mines. Like The Incredible Mr. Limpet. __________________ Small market fan... always hoping, but never expecting.

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