[Freddy]

I couldn't decide whether this should go in 'news' or here...as it's regarding a certain challenging aspect of robot manufacturing I decided to post it here.

"If robots are going to work alongside humans, then they will need to stand up to accidental bumps and shoves, not to mention the occasional deliberate kick.

That is why researchers in Japan have developed software that allows a life-size humanoid robot to stay on its feet no matter where on its body it is pushed. Theirs is the first full-size humanoid to show such steadiness – others of similar size inevitably topple over when nudged in the right spot. In experiments, the robot was subjected to repeated pushes. A virtual robot received much harder shoves."

More...

[Maviarab]

I can see the coming lawsuits now...

[Art]

Lawsuits? Maybe but first... I think perhaps a nice outbreak of...

ROBOTWARS!!

You shoved me too hard!

Well you shoved me first!

Did not!

Did so, you big tinny!

Take this you cyber ninny!

BOB!!...BANG...

SHOVE...<Sound of metal hitting the ground>

That's it! I'm calling my lawyer!!

You would cause you're such a neural NUT!!

And the BEAT goes on....




<made you think of Sonny & Cher didn't it?>

[Maviarab]

ROFL...reminds me of Bruce Campbell...

Keep your tin can on... 

[Art]

Bruce Campbell...is that Glen's brother? hehe...maybe not.

Regarding my humorist approach to most things,
my friends laugh and tell me, "You've got to quit!"

I tell them, "One day I will."

<pushing up daisys, the long sleep, take a dirt nap, bought the farm, worm food, death...the final frontier!>

[Maviarab]

The Final Frontier? 

Ohhh noooo...our worst fears are confirmed guys, Art's a trekkie 

run awaaayyyyyy

[Art]

Me a Trekkie? Nah!...I can barely tell the difference between a phasor and a photon (but they're both a lot of fun at parties!)

I actually remember the very first pilot and first episodes of the series.

Actually if truth be known, I liked watching it for the hotties, babes, scantily clad alien women like T'Pol, etc. , and Amanda Tapping from Stargate and the white-haired girl from FarScape, and...well, you get the idea.

Set phasors on stun...I'm outta here!

Scotty...One to beam up!

[Freddy]

This thread alarmingly but enjoyably strayed from the original topic into a discussion about our favourite actresses.  This topic can now be found here :

http://aidreams.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1787.0

Feel free to talk about the robot from here on in.

[Maviarab]

Robots?...we have robots? lol 

[Art]

Ah, back to the robots...

Oh yes, I recall reading of a lab at MIT (I think) that was working on a "self balancing" robot
or at least the lower half (waist down). It wasn't an autonomous unit but try as they would,
they could not knock the bot over. It would take their push and quickly regain balance and
posture in a couple of seconds.

Nice to know the brainiacs are hard at work!