by Aaron Saenz on March 14th, 2010
A Willow Garage telepresence robot promoted careers in robotics at a local elementary school.
Wouldn’t you have loved to be the kid who brought a real life working robot to school for show and tell? Willow Garage delighted students at a Cupertino, California elementary school for their “Discovery Day” – an opportunity for children to learn about local careers – by sending one of their new telepresence robots (the Texai) to make a presentation. Among the firefighters, doctors, and business executives mingled two WG engineers: Rob Wheeler in person, and Dallas Goecker remotely controlling a Texai from Indiana. Talking with a robot that’s being operated from half a continent away is a pretty cool way to convince kids that open source robotics engineer is the coolest job ever. Check out more pics after the break.
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by Aaron Saenz on March 13th, 2010
Navibot has great features to make it better than the Roomba, but the Neato XV-11 could kick its ass.
Samsung’s newest robot vacuum, the Navibot, looks and acts like an improved Roomba. It sports the same round shape but has special whip-like brushes to throw dirt into the path of its vacuum. Navibot’s best innovation over the Roomba, however, is it’s “Visionary Mapping System”. According to the AP, Navibot uses an upwards facing camera to capture images of the ceiling at 30 frames per second. Along with 30+ IR sensors around its periphery, Navibot uses the camera video to map out the room and plan an efficient path for cleaning. The vacuum will even return to its charging station if it’s running low on power. Other features include a drop-sensor so it won’t fall down stairs, a remote control which can vary vacuuming modes, and optional IR fences (Virtual Guards) that can seal off a room into sections. All these capabilities may put Navibot ahead of the Roomba, but it’s still a ways behind Neato’s XV-11. Samsung is launching the Navibot in Europe this year (UK in April) for €399 with one Virtual Guard or €499 with a touchscreen and two Virtual Guards. Check out the promo video from Samsung Europe below.
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by Aaron Saenz on March 12th, 2010
Scientists at the University College of London, Harvard University, and elsewhere have discovered that not only is the part of your brain responsible for recognizing faces different than the part that recognizes words or art, it is highly effected by your genes. Dr. Brad Duchaine (UCL) and colleagues studied nearly 300 twins (identical and fraternal) by giving them a series of recognition tests. On the Cambridge Face Memory Test (CFMT), identical twins had scores that correlated very well – 0.7, while non-identical twins had a much lower correlation – 0.29. Similar tests for word and abstract art recognition did not show such high correlations. According to their paper published in PNAS, researchers think facial recognition is an unusual phenomenon, a “highly specific cognitive ability that is highly heritable.” This research could lead to a search for those facial recognition genes, possibly in pursuit of a treatment for prosopagnosia and related conditions. Just as importantly, it sheds light on how our genes shape our brain mechanisms, and how we might be able to alter/improve those mechanisms through genetic manipulation.
Which of the faces on the right match the one on the left? Questions like this helped researchers determine that you inherit your ability to accuractely recognize faces.
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by Aaron Saenz on March 12th, 2010
The RV-2SQ is just 140 mm across but it's fast and dextrous.
Mitsubishi Electric debuted a cool new robot arm at iREX 2009 that can work in small spaces and still get things done. The RV-2SQ is just 140 mm (5.5 inches) in diameter and was able to assemble a Lego van complete with passengers inside. According to its press release, not only is the RV-2SQ 56% smaller than previous models, it’s 10% faster, able to move on 6 axes at high speeds. The tightly packed robot doesn’t come cheap (¥175 million or ~$1.9 million) but considering how well it may work on constructing minute electrical parts, Mitsubishi is hoping to sell 1000 in its first year (it debuted in Oct 2009). I like the RV-2SQ for two reasons: One, it builds a mean Lego automobile. Two, it shows how industrial robots are getting smaller and more precise. Keep miniaturizing, baby, I want to get to nanobots soon! Check out the video of the RV-2SQ in action after the break.
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by Aaron Saenz on March 11th, 2010
Noted Scifi writers Alastair Reynolds, Vernor Vinge, Karl Schroeder, and Charles Stross discuss the Singularity. Who better to ask about the future than the guys who make it up everyday?
Let’s face it. Most what we think we know about the Universe may come from science, but most of what we think we know about the future comes from science fiction. So it only makes sense that the New England Science Fiction Association’s annual convention, Boskone, featured a great panel of scifi writers discussing our favorite topic: where the exponential growth in technology is leading us, AKA, the Singularity. On hand was Alastair Reynolds, scientist and author of the Revelation Space series , Vernor Vinge mathematician, computer scientist, and author of A Fire Upon the Deep, Charles Stross, author of Accelerando, and Karl Schroeder, co-author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide To Writing Science Fiction. The panelists sought to not only explain how the concept of accelerating technologies has affected their work, but also to take a stab at what might actually happen in our real future. It’s a lot of fun to watch people who spend their lives describe the far flung future scramble to try to understand the next few decades. Hilarity and insight abounds. A video of the panel in its entirety is below courtesy of Michael Johnson, jump past 3:00 if you want to skip much of the preamble.
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by Aaron Saenz on March 11th, 2010
Google Tools has just launched the Public Data Explorer. Now a host of important stats can be turned into impressive videos for your digestion.
Type “unemployment rate California” into Google and you’ll notice a little graph pops up in the search results. That graph is part of a Google Tool called Public Data which was introduced last year to give you access to tons of public information in a handy chart form. Now, Google is upping the ante by launching the Public Data Explorer, a tool that lets you see public statistics as they evolve over time. Unemployment, life expectancy, cancer rates – it’s all there to enjoy. PDE can give you the statistics over time in boring line graphs or you can opt for some really cool looking videos of bar graphs and maps. Better yet, you can then link to those videos or embed them in your blog. Pretty slick. We’ve got a few examples for you below. PDE is a good example of how analytical tools for data must improve as the amount of digital data swells in the future.
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by Keith Kleiner on March 11th, 2010
Mary Josephine Ray died at 114 years, 294 days
Two of the oldest people in the United States died this past Sunday. Mary Josephine Ray, who was certified as the oldest person living in the United States, died Sunday at age 114 years, 294 days. Daisey Bailey, who was 113 years, 342 days also passed away on the same day. Kama Chinen from Japan retains her title as the world’s oldest living person at 114 years and 304 days. The verified world record for longest lived person ever was French woman Jeanne Calment, who passed away August 4 1997 at the age of 122 years, 164 days. As our knowledge about human health and the technology for treating ourselves improves we are going to see more and more people living to 100 and beyond. For now though, Jeanne Calment can rest easily knowing that it will be at least 7 years until Kama Chinen or anyone else can take her throne. Read More
by Aaron Saenz on March 10th, 2010
A genetically engineered human alien hybrid remote controlled body is carrying...a gunpowder rifle? Something's wrong with this picture.
Futurist Ray Kurzweil spends most of his time thinking about how technology will develop in the coming years, so it’s no wonder he took an interest in Avatar, a movie that provides a breath-taking view of a future conflict between technological haves and have-nots on a distant planet. Avatar’s been scorned and lauded by political pundits, praised for its advancement in digital film-making, but rarely analyzed for its assumptions on technology. Kurzweil does just this, questioning why an advanced human civilization that can travel through space is fighting with guns and missiles. While the central technological device to the movie, the avatars, is a remarkable example of prowess in genetics, brain computer interface, and wireless communication, the rest of the movie is littered with mediocre machines that either exist now, or could be developed very soon. Hollywood seems unable to take the great leap forward and show us a future where technology has pervaded and upgraded every aspect of our lives.
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by Keith Kleiner on March 10th, 2010
The cult classic movie Tron from 1982 is set to get a facelift this year with the release of a sequel movie called Tron Legacy. The second trailer for the movie was released yesterday, featuring gorgeous imagery and a highly anticipated sound score from geek favorite French electronic music duo Daft Punk. Jeff Bridges, who played the role of computer hacker genius Kevin Flynn from the original Tron, returns to Tron Legacy alongside his now grow up son, Sam. It is encouraging that Steven Lisberger, director of the original Tron, will be contributing to Tron Legacy as a producer. Be sure to check out the latest trailer and the earlier teaser trailer- multiple times – after the break. Plus a bonus: a video of the trailer for the original Tron from 1982.
Tron Legacy Looks Pretty Sweet
Like most of the big films being released recently, Tron will be available in 3D. With Tron’s signature high speed lightcycle chases, glowing disk projectile weaponry, and a simulated digital universe the film is ripe for some 3D awesomeness. Read More
by Aaron Saenz on March 10th, 2010
Russian company Locomo Sky is in the process of building a fleet of cargo hauling aerostat aircraft that resemble UFOs. Conspiracy theorists everywhere are salivating with anticipation.
Russia’s latest endeavor to produce commercial grade lighter-than-air aircraft seems a little strange. The “aerostatic thermoballasted vehicle” from Locomo Sky looks like something straight out of a 1950s UFO movie. The flying saucer shape isn’t just for show though, it helps the aerostat travel through the air with a minimum loss of energy to air resistance. According to their press release, Locomo Sky has started building a construction facility in the Ulyanovsk region of Russia to create a fleet of the aircraft. These airships, more commonly called Locomoskayners, are already used in geographical surveys. That version of the craft has a 1000kg (2200 lbs) carrying capacity with a crew of 2-8. Locomo Sky is hoping to build a huge version of the Locomoskayner that would have a 600 metric ton capacity or even carry 11,000 people. The company presented this idea recently to President Dmitry Medvedev, reportedly with good results. With millions already invested, it seems possible that Russian skies may be filled with flying saucers hauling cargo very soon. It sounds too wacky to be true, but it is. Check out a simulation video of the large Locomoskayner in action after the break.
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by Aaron Saenz on March 9th, 2010
In 2002, Warwick had his nervous system wired so that he could remotely control a robotic hand.
He has used his mind to control a robotic hand, he has sent his thoughts across the Atlantic and clenched a mechanical fist, and he has even felt, in his own neurons, the signals from his wife’s nerves. Kevin Warwick is a professor at Reading University in England, a pioneer in cybernetics and a former cyborg. In 1998, doors would open and lights would follow his passing due to an electronic chip in his body. In 2002 a 100 electrode array was wired into the nervous system of his arm so that he could remotely control an artificial hand. Now, Silicon.com has a wonderful nine minute interview with Warwick, exploring his work and what the future holds for man and machine. According to the former cyborg, the two will become one. He’s already putting animal brain cells in robots as a control system! Watch the video in its entirety below, and get ready to meet the man who thinks he has experienced the future of humanity and returned to tell the tale.
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by Aaron Saenz on March 9th, 2010
If a blinking light and beeping sounds weren't enough to get you to take your pills, GlowCaps also send you emails and tattles on you to friends and doctors. Diabolical, but it works.
The New England Healthcare Institute estimates that patients not taking their pills when they should costs the US $290 billion dollars a year. Vitality is hoping to recover some of that money by using any means necessary to get you to take your prescription. Their GlowCaps fit on the top of prescription bottles and wirelessly communicate with the internet to know when you should be dosing yourself. If you miss a pill, the GlowCap and an associated nightlight both start glowing. If you still haven’t taken the pill an hour later, it starts beeping. After that, it calls you on your home phone. If that wasn’t enough to keep you on your medication, GlowCap sends a weekly email to you and to any family member you select reporting on your progress. Your doctor gets a monthly update on how you’ve done. There’s even a Facebook Application! Clearly the thinking is that social pressures will succeed if all other forms of harassment fail. The Wall Street Journal reports that pharmaceutical distributor Express Scripts is starting a small scale test of GlowCap in April. If successful, the program could be extended. Using electronic harassment and peer pressure to make you take your pills is just another way in which monitoring your body is going to upgrade us to healthcare 2.0.
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