It's funny because it's true...

...or at least that's my theory. Courtesy of JADO: http://kfmonkey.blogspot.com/2007/11/lunch-conversations-4223-getting-in-on.html

(Then I think if you go back to the main page, there might be something from MLW's favorite nerd artist in rebuttal...)

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It's always starts with the children...

...doesn't it? But it's nice they already have the military applications figured out...

Yeah, um, this is normal...

...from CNN. (As I recall every time a scientist creates an artificial life form and names if after their actual progeny, it turns out FINE...)

Some random updates...

...since someone has to keep this thing going...

Engadget had this story about a police robot who took one for the team. Hey, let's be careful out there...

That doesn't mean there isn't still time to kick back (?) and dance!

And for those of you who were wondering, "Sure that's robots, but what's up on the Cyborg front?" (a fine question, BTW...) we have this little tidbit for ya (ah, if only I had a spare $11 million).

Stay alert, kids...

Is this thing on?

Seems like I'm the only one posting to this thing anymore, and even I am way too busy. But here are a couple bits I came across.

A kinda disturbing transcript of AI's speaking to one another. I wouldn't worry too much just yet, unless it's some sort of code...

And, while not strictly speaking Robot-related, it is sponsored by those wacky kids at DARPA, so you know it's going to be good. Terrorist sniffers. (Yeah, you read that right.) Warning: the link above contains photos of hairy, old men in their underwear.

That's it from here. Stay alert, People. I can't do this alone.

Ha-ha.

Or perhaps that's just what they want us to think....

Bringing up Baby (robot)

Consider this an addendum to my previous post concerning the use of robot babies in Mexico.

Researchers in six European countries have undertaken a 2.3 million Euro project (that's $3,031,149.46 for today's exchange rate) whose goal is to build robots that "learn from humans and respond in a socially and emotionally appropriate manner".

From the article: "The project involves building a series of robots that can take sensory input from the humans they are interacting with and then adapt their behaviour accordingly."

This involves feeding the robots sensory input, teaching them the ability to detect facial expressions, and even programming them so that they will imprint on the first object (human) they see.

So far the researchers have been using only "simple" robots, in some cases, off-the-shelf products. (You go! Maximize those European research, er, Euros!) However, something tells me it won't be long before they start playing with bigger, more potentially lethal machines. (Don't they ever learn???)

But back to the the robot babies. It's not a huge jump to the point where we'll start seeing this adaptive knowledge programmed into the little tykes they're doling out to the teenagers in Chihuahua, et. al. Then who's to say that robot changelings aren't next? (If it worked for fairies and ghouls, why not 'bots?) Project this out to its logical conclusion: not only will the robots be scaring the kids out of having sex, but they'll be replacing little bundles of joy right in the cradle.

With a little luck, maybe there's still time to build in the appropriate switches.

Sex Ed 2.0

The Best Intentions Update:

From News.com.au comes this new insidious threat to humanity. Educators in the Mexican state of Chihuahua have begun an effort to use robot babies to reduce teen pregnancies.

From the article:

"Pairs of teenage boys and girls aged 13 to 17 have to spend two or three days tending to the computerised babies, programmed to cry for food, burp and wake up screaming at night until they are rocked back to sleep."

and

"Students in Chihuahua are mostly horrified at the amount of work involved in looking after a baby, which they take home at night, Mr (Pilar) Huidobro said."

You heard it right: they're horrified. Three cheers for negative reinforcement!

Now, some might look at this as a good thing. Obviously, a program such as this can be beneficial in that it teaches teenagers to be more sexually responsible.

However, other more cynical minds, like those of us at Robot Doom, choose to look at this another way:

This is nothing short of a robotic attempt at human eugenics.

Threat Rating: 6

Why waste time and resources actively exterminating humanity when you can just campaign for safe sex? Seriously, what better way for the 'bots to ensure our demise than to just convince future generations of humans not to procreate?

We're onto you robots, oh, we're onto you...

RedOwl?

What kind of name is that?

The fine folks at iRobot (makers of Roomba) apparently figured out the real money's in defense contracting. So as reported a little while back, they've figured out a way to find snipers using a system attached to the Packbot.

Apparently, they've upgraded the capabilities since the original announcement as it seems a bit "bulked up" since the designs in the earlier articles. But, hey, it's helping our men and women in uniform, so no complaints from me this time.

(I mean, it's not like they could attach a firearm to it, right?)

Oh, sure, fine...

...make them all cute and cuddly. (Also make note of Mr. Spoon! and the vacuuming robot that can use elevators...) At least they have a sense of humor.