5.30.2006

Slime Mold controls robot

What the?! Why would someone even THINK of this?
Scientists hook slime mold up and let it control a robot. Why? WHY? WHY?

Seriously, who thought this was a good idea? Let's think about the description of slime mold...
"Physarum polycephalum is a large single-celled organism that responds to food sources, such as bacteria and fungi, by moving towards and engulfing it."

Engulfing it! You're putting a very aggressive organism in control of a robot, and letting the robot learn.

Yes, it is a slime mold. Yes it is a simple 6-legged robot. But this is not a good place to start!

1 comment:

Insidious Mr. Huge said...

This is just wrong on so many levels I don't know where to begin.

A mindless organism that only works on the base instincts of hunger and self preservation can now be placed in charge of a robotic body.

I seriously want to slap these jackasses upside the head until they see stars.

What's worse, since DARPA is involved, somehow our tax dollars are funding this instrument of future devastation.