Robotics Articles

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AI egghead: Human-robot humping, marriage by 2050
Among university roboticists, the scenario of humans having sex with robots is normally seen as inevitable. Further support for this (the assessment of robotics boffins' worldview, not the likelihood of mechanised jigjig going mainstream) appeared last week, as a PhD thesis on the subject was defended at Maastricht University. The author of the thesis, David Levy (described by the Dutch academics as "an International Master at chess from London") contends that humans will not just be shagging robots in the near future, but also falling in love with them and marrying them. "My forecast is that around 2050, the state of Massachusetts will be the first jurisdiction to legalise marriages with robots," said Levy at a press conference. Read more...

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Medical Robots to Cover Hospital Ward Rounds, UK
St Mary's NHS Trust and Imperial College London are piloting a scheme where medical robots will cover ward rounds. Remote Presence (RP6) Robots allow a medical expert to visually examine and communicate with a patient from anywhere in the world, via the machine, using wireless technology. The robots (nicknamed by staff Sister Mary and Dr Robbie) can also be used for surgical teaching and even videoconferencing. The robots are controlled with a joystick from a remote site. The doctor 'driving' the robot can view the patient, ask questions and read patient records, view X-rays and test results from the console. The patient sees the doctor's image on the robots 'face'. Although the robot does not physically examine the patient it allows face-to-face contact between the doctor and patient, providing immediate access to specialists. Read more...
 

Megabyte the Cyber Watch Dog
Megabyte is the latest 21st century K9 guard dog in a can, futuristic in both looks and functions. Requires feeding, but doesn't leave any mess on the carpets! Specially positioned motion detectors set off a guard dog function to alert its master of intruders. Megabyte is an improved version of the original cyberdog. Read more...

 Artificial Intelligence Returns--For Now
There was a curious boom in artificial intelligence in the early 1980's as the field emerged as a favorite among venture capitalists. Much of this was triggered by something called the Fifth Generation Project. This was an overt attempt by the Japanese to leapfrog the U.S. in computer technology by developing a new computing model. It was spearheaded by the government of Japan in conjunction with major computer makers like Fujitsu and NEC. The whole Fifth Generation blather was vague, but there were numerous hints that artificial intelligence was involved, somehow. Read more...


Medical-robots - Approved by Pentagon
Necessity is the mother of invention, a fact proven by countless bizarre products which in the end have found their use. If not long ago we were announcing the imminent appearance of military-robots on the battle field, now, the Pentagon has approved the production of medical-robots. These are complex mechanisms which are able to take the wounded out of the conflict zone, and then treat them like true surgeons. If robots are so advanced that they can inflict human casualties but also to save lives, maybe we should send into battle only robotized units, remotely controlled by real soldiers. Read more...

Meet Penelope, Archie and REMi – Medical Robots on a Streamlining Mission
Robo-nurse Penelope starts work at a New York hospital this May, joining Archie, REMi and other high-tech healers designed to streamline medical care. Robo-personnel are pricey – Archie costs $1 million – but have automatic appeal for hospitals struggling to fill nursing jobs. Robots that demonstrate safety and ergonomic benefits as well usually win over administrators who question the cost. The designers claim medical robots can reduce or eliminate human error, increase efficiency and deliver better patient care. Robots are out in the workforce testing the claims. Read more...