Tag Archives: Robopocalypse

Nexi robot helps Northeastern University track effects of shifty body language (video)

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Nexi robot helps Northeastern University reveal shifty body language video

MIT's Nexi robot has been teaching us about social interaction for years, and has even done a stint with the US Navy. Its latest role, however, involved studying those moments when society falls apart. Northeastern University researchers made Nexi the key ingredient of an experiment where subjects were asked to play a Prisoner's Dilemma-style game immediately after a conversation, whether it was with a human or a machine. Nexi showed that humans are better judges of trustworthiness after they see the telltale body language of dishonesty -- crossed arms, leaning back and other cues -- even when those expressions come from a collection of metal and plastic. The study suggests not just that humans are tuned to watch for subtle hints of sketchy behavior, but that future humanoid robots could foster trust by using the right gestures. We'll look forward to the friendlier machine assistants that result... and keep in mind the room for deception when the robots invariably plot to take over the world.

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Nexi robot helps Northeastern University track effects of shifty body language (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Sep 2012 08:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceNortheastern University  | Email this | Comments

Boston Dynamics’ Cheetah robot will hunt you down faster than any person (video)

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Boston Dynamics' Cheetah robot will hunt you down faster than any person video

Let's face it, we're doomed as a species, because one day, Boston Dynamics is gonna unleash its army of DARPA-funded droids and wipe us all out. The company's sprinting robot, Cheetah, has now broken the land-speed record for humans, clocking speeds of 29.3 miles per hour, meaning not even the 27.79mph Usain Bolt can escape. Fortunately for us, it's got a fatal flaw; a balance problem that means it can only remain upright with a boom keeping it steady. Unfortunately, that's not going to be a problem for long, since field-testing on an independently upright version begins early next year. We'd wish you sweet dreams, but, you know, we're too busy building an underground shelter.

Continue reading Boston Dynamics' Cheetah robot will hunt you down faster than any person (video)

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Boston Dynamics' Cheetah robot will hunt you down faster than any person (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Sep 2012 12:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink The Verge, CNET  |   | Email this | Comments

Robot made from paper spells doom for the trees in the Robopocalypse (video)

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Robot made from paper spells doom for the trees in the Robopocalypse video

A paper tiger might have a bark that's worse than its bite, but that proverb might not be valid once you've seen the Mechanical Paper Robot. The brainchild of artist / genius Kikousya, it's entirely constructed from dead trees, a few rubber bands and some dowel. We suggest you watch the amazing video after the break and, if you're looking to build your own, head down to the source link for the instructions. After all, given the cost of those robotic bulls, scary babies and giant mecha, Skynet's gonna need some wallet-friendly foot-soldiers for the Robopocalypse.

Continue reading Robot made from paper spells doom for the trees in the Robopocalypse (video)

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Robot made from paper spells doom for the trees in the Robopocalypse (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Aug 2012 20:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink The Verge, Robots Dreams  |  sourceMPM  | Email this | Comments

Scientists investigating AI-based traffic control, so we can only blame the jams on ourselves

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Scientists investigating artificial intelligencebased traffic control, so we can only blame the jams on ourselves

Ever found yourself stuck at the lights convinced that whatever is controlling these things is just trying to test your patience, and that you could do a better job? Well, turns out you might -- at least partly -- be right. Researchers at the University of Southampton have just revealed that they are investigating the use of artificial intelligence-based traffic lights, with the hope that it could be used in next-generation road signals. The research uses video games and simulations to assess different traffic control systems, and apparently us humans do a pretty good job. The team at Southampton hope that they will be to emulate this human-like approach with new "machine learning" software. With cars already being tested out with WiFi, mobile connectivity and GPS on board for accident prevention, a system such as this could certainly have a lot of data to tap into. There's no indication as to when we might see a real world trial, but at least we're reminded, for once, that as a race we're not quite able to be replaced by robotic overlords entirely.

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Scientists investigating AI-based traffic control, so we can only blame the jams on ourselves originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Aug 2012 21:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink PhysOrg  |   | Email this | Comments

Baby robot Affetto gets a torso, still gives us the creeps (video)

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Baby robot Affetto gets a torso, still gives us the creeps

It's taken a year to get the sinister ticks and motions of Osaka University's Affetto baby head out of our nightmares -- and now it's grown a torso. Walking that still-precarious line between robots and humans, the animated robot baby now has a pair of arms to call its own. The prototype upper body has a babyish looseness to it -- accidentally hitting itself in the face during the demo video -- with around 20 pneumatic actuators providing the movement. The face remains curiously paused, although we'd assume that the body prototype hasn't been paired with facial motions just yet, which just about puts it the right side of adorable. However, the demonstration does include some sinister faceless dance motions. It's right after the break -- you've been warned.

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Baby robot Affetto gets a torso, still gives us the creeps (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Jul 2012 06:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Plastic Pals  |  sourceProject Affetto (YouTube)  | Email this | Comments

Insert Coin: Troller 1D, the transforming robot that won’t ruin your garden

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In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line.

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A crawling robot that, at the touch of a button, curls up into a wheel and rolls away sounds a bit Robots in Disguise, doesn't it? Still, that's what roboticist Toby Baumgartner needs your cold, hard cash to build. Troller 1D is the first prototype of the modular automaton that uses a series of servos to take it anywhere it needs to go -- but it's not ready yet. The project needs $2,600 to get better servos and add some WiFi and Accelerometer features that'll get the 'bot rolling without any assistance. Once perfected, you'll be able to buy a kit with everything you need to build your own and terrify the local wildlife / your children.

Continue reading Insert Coin: Troller 1D, the transforming robot that won't ruin your garden

Insert Coin: Troller 1D, the transforming robot that won't ruin your garden originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 May 2012 08:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceKickstarter  | Email this | Comments

Canon ditching humans, cameras hand-made by robots by 2015

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Canon has announced that it'll ditch human production line employees and rely entirely on robots to build its cameras. Several Japanese companies have felt the pinch thanks to the soaring value of the yen and have acted quickly to move production overseas, but Canon has resisted doing the same. Company spokesperson Jan Misumi has said that the move won't cause job losses as those employees will be moved into other parts of the organization once the switchover has been completed -- which could be as early as 2015. Now we just need to check our diaries as to when the Robopocalypse is due to begin.

Canon ditching humans, cameras hand-made by robots by 2015 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 May 2012 14:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink AFP (PhysOrg)  |  sourceYahoo  | Email this | Comments