Archive for the 'Rise of the Machines' Category
2009: Robots Evolve to Deceive One Another
July 16th, 2014Via: Science Blogs: In a Swiss laboratory, a group of ten robots is competing for food. Prowling around a small arena, the machines are part of an innovative study looking at the evolution of communication, from engineers Sara Mitri and Dario Floreano and evolutionary biologist Laurent Keller. They programmed robots with the task of finding […]
Apple’s New iPhone, Made in China—By Robots
July 14th, 2014Via: Fiscal Times: The worst kept secret of Apple and its Taiwanese manufacturer Foxconn isn’t their poor labor conditions. It isn’t even the fact that they use robots to help bring together all the pieces that make up an iPhone. It’s that their robots are now performing more and more human-like functions. In the past, […]
U.S. Marines Test Robotic Mule at RIMPAC, Hawaii
July 14th, 2014That thing is loud. Pretty effective for announcing their presence. Via: BBC: US marines have tested a new robotic mule at the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise in Hawaii. The Legged Squad Support System (LS3) is operated by a sensor strapped to a human foot. Military footage shows Lance Corporal Brandon Dieckmann fitting the […]
Foxconn May Replace ‘iPhone 6’ Assembly Line Workers with ‘Foxbot’ Robots
July 7th, 2014Via: Apple Insider: During a recent shareholder meeting, president and CEO of Apple partner manufacturer Foxconn said his company plans to roll out robots on assembly lines responsible for products like the iPhone, possibly in time for production of the so-called “iPhone 6.”
These Bricks Are Like Lego for Full-Sized Buildings
July 5th, 2014Via: Wired: A company called Kite Bricks is out to disrupt the construction business starting with the humble brick. Kite Bricks has developed “Smart Bricks” (S-Bricks) made out of high-strength concrete that can be used to make buildings rapidly, cheaply and energy efficiently. The bricks — which are patent pending — are much like Lego […]
McDonald’s Testing Order-Ahead and Payments App
June 30th, 2014See: Seattle Hikes Minimum Wage to $15 Per Hour: Cashiers and food service workers: You’re pretty much screwed. … Notice how companies in Seattle have between three and seven years to start paying the $15/hour rate? *wink* Will this be a ready-the-robots phase? I don’t know, but it wouldn’t surprise me if that’s what happens, […]
Armed U.S. Drones Over Baghdad
June 28th, 2014Via: CNN: Seven Iraqi soldiers were killed and 29 others were wounded on Saturday in clashes between Iraqi security forces and the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), Iraqi security officials said. ISIS fighters attacked a military base in the town of Jurf al-Sakhar, about 85 kilometers (53 miles) south of Baghdad on Saturday […]
Google Pulls Robot from Military Competition to Focus on Commercial Product
June 27th, 2014Via: The Verge: The $2 million Robotics Challenge, run by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), is a competition for the most advanced robots in the world. The three-year competition is less than halfway over, but there was already a clear frontrunner: the Japanese team Schaft, which posted videos on YouTube of their incredible […]
Robot Truck Convoy Tested In Nevada
June 25th, 2014A human steers, but drafting is automated. Via: Popular Science: Like Olympic skiers racing in single file to reduce air resistance, two 18-wheeler trucks in Nevada recently proved that uncomfortably close convoys can save drivers fuel and money. The key, instead of bold Olympic athleticism, is robotic assistance. A computer-assisted truck was able to follow […]
U.S. Army MAARS (Modular Advanced Armed Robotic System)
June 25th, 2014Via: Bloomberg: One of the most advanced breeds of pint-sized robotic tanks is currently being tested by the U.S. Army. MAARS (Modular Advanced Armed Robotic System) is a 3-foot tall, remote-controlled ground vehicle that can assist in anything from camera surveillance to launching grenades. MAARS can take on the riskiest of tasks, like disarming IEDs […]
