Electron microscope image of the microbe, Geobacter sulfurreducens
The U.S.’s Naval Research Laboratory powers mini robots with microorganisms
All sorts of robots are used to help us explore outer space but bigger isn’t always better when it comes to extraterrestrial explorers. These machines require loads of energy and last time we checked, outer space lacks electrical outlets….
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Europe supports more research on robotics and the law
The two year European project ROBOLAW (Regulating Emerging Robotic Technologies in Europe: Robotics facing Law and Ethics) is scheduled to start in March of this year.
The main goal of this project will be to provide the European Commission with a “White Book on Regulating Robotics”. Essentially, this will be a set of guidelines which will contribute to the future establishment of a solid framework of ‘robolaw’ in Europe.
Spelling help robot — Girl, 10, Germany
“What would happen if robots were a part of your everyday life—at school and beyond?”
Latitude, an international research consultancy, asked nearly 350 children in Australia, France, Germany, South Africa, the UK and the USA to draw a picture and write a story that answers the question above.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream’s Mechanical cast members
The video above features a special performance of a Shakespearean classic put on by Texas A&M University several years ago. The students and professors involved in the production thought this would be a great way to see how people respond to and interact with robots. Continue reading
If you can’t make the meeting… send in your robot!
The American company Anybot has created telepresence robots that can be used in variety of scenarios. Whether at home or work, who says you can’t be in two places at once?
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Check out some of the bots at this year’s CES Tradeshow in Las Vegas while CNET’s Luke Westaway entertains us with several duels of man Vs machine
Check out a new model for face recognition software from SPECS!
Many mammals have an amazing ability to recognize objects under distinct conditions. Tasks that may seem simple are in fact only possible thanks to the great complexity of the mammalian cerebral cortex. One of the most complex stimuli mammals are challenged by are faces.
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Machines give us clues about communication in the animal kingdom
Chimps, birds and bees are just a few of the many animals that communicate with each other when searching for food. Since everyone’s got to eat, communication during foraging is essential among social animals. In order to study how different types of communication strategies might evolve, the University of Lausanne (UNIL) and the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) teamed up to conduct a joint research project.
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Robots are out of the operating room and at patients’ bedsides!
Robots that perform surgery have been around for a while. The da Vinci system, which has been in use since the 90s, electronically translates a surgeon’s hand movement into much smaller movements Continue reading
Europe’s Vice President of the Digital Agenda shares some thoughts on 2011 and the promising future of ICT in Europe