Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
The future police. ROBOCOP
Robocop, the classic movie from the 1980’s, won over all the little boy’s imagination. Some of those boys became lawyers, some became inventors, and some became cops themselves. Those inventors came around one day saying “Hey! Do you remember that super high tech scanner thingy that Robocop used?” Well, The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) made that super cool weapon scanner. Then the cops one day said “Hey. Do you remember that amazing weapon detector that Robocop used?” Well, their dreams got fulfilled.
Currently, they are taking field tests on their future product. Similar to the one Robocop has, it detects weaponry by using microwaves to pick up reflections. Hopefully this new product won’t give our everyday street fighters cancer. After a couple of modifications to the scanner, this product will defiantly be used by cops around the globe, and maybe even in the public.
The Honda built ASIMO
I realize that the title of this blog is slightly premature in its questioning. �Or is it? �After watching all four seasons of Battlestar Galactica in the span of 5 weeks (yes at times I don't have a life), I began to wonder where the current state of robotics and artificial intelligence lies. �Therefore I did what any normal person with a laptop at his fingertips does these days: I googled for information. �What I found not only astounded me, but also made me realize that we as a society are advancing at such exponential rates when it comes to technology, that the science fiction of today literally becomes science fact within the span of merely a few years ,as opposed to maybe decades a half century earlier. �Below I briefly profile a few of the most advanced robots and computers created to date before laying out some very interesting ethical questions that we may have to face sooner rather than later.
ASIMO
The Honda built ASIMO�has been designated the most advanced humanoid robot on the planet. �Whereas earlier models had issues with balance and spatial recognition, the newest ASIMO model can run at 6 km/h (and rumoured to be programmed to run faster) while cornering, displaying near perfect human mechanics, can dance better than I (which doesn't require much skill actually), walk up and down stairs, and can be taught to recognize and differentiate between different objects. �For example, when shown a typical chair and told that the object is a chair, ASIMO stores the general shape and dimension associated with the chair in his database of "learned objects". �If then shown a three legged stool for example and asked what the object is, ASIMO will answer that it is a chair (without ever seeing the object before in its "life")!! �Furthermore, if a table is then placed in front of it and one asks ASIMO if it is a chair, he will respond that in fact no, it is not. �ASIMO displays a type of cognitive learning, whereby it determines what an object was by associating it with similar characteristics from another object, connecting A with B, much like a child does in early brain development. �Here is a video displaying ASIMO's various skills. �I find the only drawback is that it has the voice of a 10 year old boy (chosen not scare the crap out the public I gather).
Acura Race Car 2008
The XM Satellite Radio race car placed first in its class at the opening race of the 2007 American Le Mans Series last Saturday at Sebring, Florida.
The XM car (powered by Acura) took first in the LMP2 class at the historic Twelve Hours of Sebring race. The Twelve Hours of Sebring is one of the most renowned endurance races in the U.S. bring in teams from around the world to take part in the event. Over 140,000 people attended the race, and it also aired live on SPEED Channel.
The race marked the first time that XM has sponsored a vehicle in an American Le Mans Series race. It also was Acura’s debut in the series.
The XM vehicle was driven by the Andretti Green Racing team’s Bryan Herta, Tony Kanaan and Dario Franchitti. For the past three years, Bryan drove the Honda-powered XM vehicle in the IndyCar Series. After Saturday’s win, Herta described it as “probably the most special victory of my career.”
Even if you’re not a gearhead, check out several photos of the XM-Acura racecar and crew with the XM Satellite Radio logo prominently displayed throughout…
Acura’s first step into prototype competition in the American Le Mans Series’ LMP2 class will be the subject of an hour-long feature on SPEED that debuts at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, March 2. The Acura factory program is the first such effort for the luxury brand of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., and involves three world-class teams in Andretti Green Racing, Lowe’s Fernandez Racing and Highcroft Racing.
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