Sep 11
The world of robots continues its fascinating development. First up, Boston Dynamics is working on a “pack mule” that can carry 400 pounds of payload and travel 20 miles without refueling. Its sensors are able to follow a human leader and avoid obstacles, and if it falls over, it can right itself. Best of all, …
Jul 09
“Robots have come to destroy our way of life, just as we saw in Terminator 2: Judgment Day, though not as we expected. They’re taking our jobs, and are forcing us to reexamine how we value ourselves,” writes Conor Sen in the Atlantic.com. To date, robots have clearly impacted the manufacturing and information sectors: Mick Mountz: …
Apr 25
And now for all you arm-chair, keyboard-typing astronauts: A startup called UrtheCast (Urthecast.com) is launching the world’s first-ever, high-definition livestream from outer space. Working with the Russian Space Agency, the company will install a camera aboard the International Space Station early next year. Viewers will be able to see what the space station “sees”–right down …
Apr 17
Filmmaker Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner) is launching his newest sci-fi film Prometheus this summer. Not since Hal has a voice been so full of kindness it’s scary: About a week ago, I talked about DARPA’s cool new robotic work. Here’s another example that would make any Marine proud:
Apr 05
The longer you look at robots, at least robots on the cutting edge, the more they seem to fall in to two camps: Those that look and act human, and those that resemble animals or insects. Both of these types, of course, are attempting to mimic biological systems. From DARPA, the government agency responsible for …
Feb 01
Brian Fung over at the Atlantic.com has written a fascinating article on why voters continue to have misgivings about Mitt Romney. To Fung, the problem lies in what robotic researchers call “the uncanny valley.” The more a robot looks real, the more likely we are to feel positively towards it. But when the robot begins …
May 25
FORA.tv strives to connect smart, passionate audiences to brilliant ideas that are expressed everyday. Each week, our newsletter features a provocative and compelling Big Question, inviting discourse and debate from our community. This week’s Big Question: The Workplace: Power to People or Robots? Factory robots are stiff and stupid. Ordinary people don’t touch them. But what …
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