Jan 18 2006
The FedEx Institute of Technology at the University of Memphis announced today that they will be launching a new robotics research center focused on developing robot technology with everyday uses. The new research center, the first since the FedEx Institute opened in 2003, will be initially funded by FedEx Corporation with corporate and government sponsorships …
Dec 21 2005
The Discovery Channel has a story today about researchers from the Meiji University in Japan that have created a robot able to tell the difference between looking at its own image reflected in a mirror and looking at an identical robot. The research, led by Junichi Takeno, is a big advance towards understanding human consciousness …
Dec 16 2005
Hot on the heels of Honda’s Asimo update announced this past Tuesday, Sony today introduced the world to the newest version of their humanoid robot, QRIO. The enhancements to the QRIO include an additional camera mounted in its forehead, mechanical improvements to its arms and hands, and better machine vision algorithms and AI. Like its …
Dec 13 2005
Honda Motor Co. introduced the second-generation Asimo today. While walking and obstacle avoidance were considered highlights of the previous model, the new Asimo includes many advancements that science fiction has groomed us to expect from humanoid robots. The five-year old Asimo can now handle simple office tasks like greeting visitors and showing them to meeting …
Dec 09 2005
Although there have been many advances in machine vision, most relatively simple robots are still not able to maneuver around objects at high speeds because they are unable to quickly judge their distance from the objects. In order to tackle this problem researchers from Stanford University have developed a new algorithm that many said was …
Nov 30 2005
The IREX International Robot Expo 2005 is in full swing in Tokyo, Japan right now. Hundreds of companies, organizations and researchers have their robots on display for the public to interact with. From entertainment robots to cleaning bots to robotic receptionists, there are many fresh faces and some familiar ones as well. One of the …
Nov 15 2005
After the Albert Hubo article and picture, I’m somewhat relieved to report that the Ministry of Science and Technology’s Intelligent Robot task force has unveiled a robot at the APEC forum in Busan, Korea today that doesn’t completely creep me out. The T-Rot, whose name is short for thinking robot, is spending its time at the …
Nov 10 2005
Engadget’s got a summary of an article by Business Day about Buys Inc., a South African law firm that plans to add 3 “robot” lawyers, Stacy, Dave, and Nathan, to their human legal staff in early 2007. Initially their duties will include answering basic questions and presenting training material online. They will operate under very …
Nov 01 2005
Title: How To Survive a Robot Uprising Author: Daniel H. Wilson Genre: Humor Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Release Date: November 1, 2005 Pages: 176 There’s a discussion on Slashdot today regarding this article by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about a new book by first-time author and full time roboticist, Daniel H. Wilson, entitled “How to Survive …
Oct 27 2005
Gizmodo’s got a brief summary today of an article in the Korea Herald that outlines the government of South Korea’s desire to have commercially available intelligent robots by next year. The “intelligent service robot” project as it is being called by the Ministry of Information and Communication states that intelligent robots for entertainment, education, home …
