Robots are taking over the world

[Fishalicious]

BigDog, the walking robot

The invention of the wheel has always been a much touted thing. In fact it may be humanities only great invention that was not pulled or inspired from nature.

But that's the rub - wheeled animal don't exist, because it is a terribly useless way of getting around in nature. Although it is very simple and efficient, wheels require a flat surface (roads) and there are not always roads where one wants to go - be that Mars, Antarctica, or a 3rd world country at war.

So, the drive lately has been to create a walking robot that can tred where wheeled robots just can't go (ice, sand, a forest, snow). Of course, walking is a very complicated process compared to rolling around, and making a walking robot is a far cry from making a *useful* walking robot (is it fast? Can it get up if it falls over? Can it walk on all surfaces?).

So if that's the sort of science/engineering/biology thing that interests you, this video will certainly astound, and show just exactly how far we really have progressed. The rest can mentally dress it up as a deer and imagine how awesome it would be to ride it around :D

--

(I didn't type that; I stole it from Beetle)

[darkphantomime]

I saw that video yesterday. Wonder how long it'll be before mega man and Dr. Wily become reality?

I'm serious folks, it won't be long before we have violent robots that shoot and blow up stuff.

[Howl]

Jeez. Can't we just go back to horse and buggy. But todays technolodgy(spelling) is amazing.

[Commodore Axilon]

I saw that video yesterday. Wonder how long it'll be before mega man and Dr. Wily become reality?

I'm serious folks, it won't be long before we have violent robots that shoot and blow up stuff.

The future...is now!

[TP Zelda]

BigDog, the walking robot

The invention of the wheel has always been a much touted thing. In fact it may be humanities only great invention that was not pulled or inspired from nature.

But that's the rub - wheeled animal don't exist, because it is a terribly useless way of getting around in nature. Although it is very simple and efficient, wheels require a flat surface (roads) and there are not always roads where one wants to go - be that Mars, Antarctica, or a 3rd world country at war.

So, the drive lately has been to create a walking robot that can tred where wheeled robots just can't go (ice, sand, a forest, snow). Of course, walking is a very complicated process compared to rolling around, and making a walking robot is a far cry from making a *useful* walking robot (is it fast? Can it get up if it falls over? Can it walk on all surfaces?).

So if that's the sort of science/engineering/biology thing that interests you, this video will certainly astound, and show just exactly how far we really have progressed. The rest can mentally dress it up as a deer and imagine how awesome it would be to ride it around :D

--

(I didn't type that; I stole it from Beetle)

^.^;;

Robots taking over the world would be kinda kewl...XD

[Fishalicious]

Yeah, until they go and destroy humanity.

[Howl]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemmings
the future is NAO! (now)

[Hi no Seijin]

So, Commodore, does this confirm your fear that robots are indeed taking over the world?

[Commodore Axilon]

It's been inevitable for awhile now. Soon we shall create Skynet and mankind will forever be second to machinekind.

Archytas's sinister plan shall soon come to completion, and it only took two and a half thousand years.

[Mysterious F.]

The key to stopping a robotic mutinynot "don't make them", but "how to avoid making them while improving technology". For example, that there robot appears to only be capable of programmed thinking: fall, then get up; walk forwards; etc. It is not capable of fighting nor (purposely) harming humans. Fighting robots, however, are the things to fear. They are programmed to kill, so they are actual problems. As long as we find ways of avoiding giving technology ways of thinking for themselves, and an easy way to shut them down if this fails, then we "should" be okay.

Also, JQ, you forgot 2001: A Space Odyssey on your list.  :P

[Hi no Seijin]

Robots.

*sigh*  If only.

[iastreb]

yesterday I wacthed the Discovery channel. And they talked about the World Soccer Cup for robots. No kidding. Even the robots have a World Cup now.  :o

[BaconWarrior]

It's been inevitable for awhile now. Soon we shall create Skynet and mankind will forever be second to machinekind.

Archytas's sinister plan shall soon come to completion, and it only took two and a half thousand years.

Theyll go all Terminator on us.....I wonder who Arnie will side with? :-\

[Twilight Wolf]

Either way, John Connor will save us all.

Hopefully.

[TP Zelda]

Either way, John Connor will save us all.

Hopefully.

WHOOHOO!!