Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Humanoids

Artificial intelligence versus natural stupidity: What will save us when the robots take over?

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Neural nirvana. Or ignorance is bliss. An opinion piece.

Theoretically speaking, computers can be programmed to mimic everything that a human says or does – or thinks. That might not be the reality now, but most people would probably accept that it’s only a matter of time before we see a fully-functioning humanoid robot, cyborg or android that is indistinguishable from the average human.

But even when they are able to copy us in every way, walking like us, talking like us, and so on, can they, in theory, become conscious?

One problem with answering that question properly is that not everyone agrees on the definition of consciousness.  [Read more…] about Artificial intelligence versus natural stupidity: What will save us when the robots take over?

Robots in space: Russians to send Fedor the humanoid robot to the International Space Station

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The Russian space agency is planning to send its humanoid robot Fedor to the International Space Station.

Fedor stands for Final Experimental Demonstration Object Research and seems to have been developed as a fighting robot.

Fedor can shoot guns, drive cars and use a variety of tools, including drills, according to a video by Interesting Engineering (video below).  [Read more…] about Robots in space: Russians to send Fedor the humanoid robot to the International Space Station

Biology and robotics enter into an unholy union to bring forth nightmare creatures from the very depths of hell

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The worlds of biology and robotics are increasingly merging and the end result will inevitably be the creation of hellish creatures that will be called “androids”, “cyborgs” or even simply “robots”. 

And with the growing capabilities of additive manufacturing or 3D printing which use sophisticated materials and techniques, the knowledge and the tools will be more widely available to create these creatures more easily than ever before.

In a recent development, a brand new, combined biomedical engineering and robotics centre was opened in Australia.  [Read more…] about Biology and robotics enter into an unholy union to bring forth nightmare creatures from the very depths of hell

Disney demonstrates humanoid robot that can fly and perform acrobatics

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Stuntronics figure can autonomously decide when to perform somersaults while flying through the air, says Disney (see video below)

The stuntman, or stunts person, has always been highly regarded by filmmakers and fans even though very few of them are famous. 

Everyone knows that behind every famous action film star is a stunt double who undertakes to do the dangerous things that maybe nobody should do anymore in this day and age of computer-generated imagery and special effects which can make everyone and everything look real even when they’re not.

But no matter how realistic the CGI, most people would probably be able to tell the difference between machinima and real cinema.  [Read more…] about Disney demonstrates humanoid robot that can fly and perform acrobatics

Briefing – Products and Markets: Humanoid robots struggle to find a place in today’s society

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Humanoids are probably the type of robots that the general public finds most fascinating. 

Yes, industrial robotic arms have their own attractions – the way they move so precisely and can work endlessly – but humanoids, for obvious reasons, possess the ultimate allure.

And if they take the form of your favourite person in the world – perhaps that film star you’ve had a crush on all your life – well, you’re practically in heaven.  [Read more…] about Briefing – Products and Markets: Humanoid robots struggle to find a place in today’s society

Honda ends development of iconic Asimo robot

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Honda is reportedly ending its development work on the iconic Asimo robot, which has become one of the most recognisable humanoids in the world. 

According to various reports in the media, starting with the original article on the Nikkei website, Honda has stopped development of Asimo.

Nikkei does not quote anyone from Honda but reports that the team behind Asimo are being redirected towards the development of technologies in sectors such as healthcare and self-driving vehicles.  [Read more…] about Honda ends development of iconic Asimo robot

Terrifying cyborgs move one step closer to taking over the world

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If you’re old enough to remember the cyborgs from the early series of science fiction series Doctor Who, you would probably agree that the Cybermen were without question the most terrifying villains to ever show their horrifying faces on our television screens. Ever. 

But what’s happening today in the real world is even more scary than that. It’s just that we seem to have become accustomed to being shocked and traumatised.

The Cybermen were probably made mostly of metal and plastic or some sort of inorganic material – as in, they were not made of flesh and bone as we know them.  [Read more…] about Terrifying cyborgs move one step closer to taking over the world

Artificial intelligence and humanoid robotics startup UBTech raises $820 million in latest funding round

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UBTech Robotics, a developer of intelligent humanoid robots, announced today the completion of its Series C investment totaling $820 million with a market valuation of $5 billion, the single largest funding round ever for an artificial intelligence company.

The investment was led by Tencent, and also includes funding from ICBC, Haier, Minsheng Securities, Telstra, Easyhome Furnishings, Chia Tai Group, China Minsheng Bank, China Film and TV Capital, CGN, Sichuan Railway Investment Group, Green Pine Capital Partners, Whale Capital, and Shenzhen JinFuZi Network Technology.

The lead investor of UBTech’s Series B funding, CDH Investments, also participated.  [Read more…] about Artificial intelligence and humanoid robotics startup UBTech raises $820 million in latest funding round

Nobody’s perfect: Future relationships with humanoid robots

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The concept of creating the perfect companion has probably been a central theme in works of science fiction since the beginning of science fiction. 

Although Frankenstein’s monster is not everyone’s idea of the perfect companion, Mary Shelley wrote the novel before 1818, when it was first published.

That’s at least 200 years since someone described a mad scientist who creates a human-like being in a lab using means other than natural procreation. [Read more…] about Nobody’s perfect: Future relationships with humanoid robots

Pushy Pepper robots take over Smithsonian Museum hosting jobs

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A contingent of pushy Pepper robots – a small humanoid robot produced by SoftBank Robotics – has taken over the Smithsonian Museum’s hosting jobs.

The Pepper robots have already taken up their positions and are all set to meet and greet and be robotically cheerful for visitors to what is perhaps the world’s most famous museum chain.

The innocuous-looking but potentially job-stealing Pepper units were all donated by SoftBank as part of a pilot project. [Read more…] about Pushy Pepper robots take over Smithsonian Museum hosting jobs