Advances in Humanoid Robots! Here they come!!!

[AprilSeven]

I just watched this episode of Nova Science Now and it's lead segment on the advancements being made in humanoid robotics.

What is utterly stunning to see is how - finally - we are about to enter the age of living side by side with emerging artificially intelligent "companions." It's interesting to see the styles of humanoid robots are taking two paths -- most being "obvious" robots with endearing facial features (like Wall-E, Nora, C3PO and Jake), and then the "Astro Boy Class" robot with "frubber" skin, human eyes and gestures that very closely mimic our physical communication.

One commentator was definitely "Hamegg" in her view that these robots could be "dangerous" because we will grow to love them (because they send us all the "right signals" and can behave like humans) -- but there's "nothing to them." (Just a machine)

Wait 'til you see the Nora-esque model actually called a "nanny-bot"

The Astro Boy variety is - understandable - further away from reality (only "Phil's" head is "alive"). I'm reminded of Jeffbert's comments of how on earth would they be able to cram all the mechanical necessities into the size of a human body, less a child-size body! And then there's kokoro - which is where the "artificial soul" issue comes from -- they didn't go there. Maybe in 10 years?

http://video.pbs.org/video/1801365037/

[InsaneAstroBoyLover]

HOLY ASTRO! THATS SO COOL!!!! Cant wait for Astro to come out when im 23. xD

[Astro Forever]

We're sorry, but this video is not available in your region due to rights restrictions.

Ironically, I do get PBS on TV. Your post was interesting anyway, AprilSeven!

[diehard67]

I had the same problem, darn it

[Androids101]

Grrrr...I've got the same problem

[diehard67]

I think the video streams are only available to americans

[cybotron]

Robot intelligence is a very sensitive topic. Data flow restrictions are increasing. Entire INTERNET being restricted in some countries. The BBC also has restricted streams. The international and Geopolitical "Thought Control" powers of the competing evolving Post Industrial technostructures, will not allow a free and open knowledge bank or an encyclopedic data bank available to all citizens of the planet via INTERNET, to exist....
Some knowledge must be restricted. Robots reduce human labor... Robots reduce human jobs... Labor unrest begins. More to come.

[jeffbert]

I have that show, but have yet to watch it. I will do so now!

The TACHICOMA's AI was on a satellite, it is likely that some parts will be ground based & connected via broadband.

[Astro Boy2866]

That was really cool, especially Phil. I didn't like that woman who seemed to be against robots. If humanoid robots like from Astro Boy were around now, she would probably be part of an anti-robot group.

I saw ASIMO in person and I think my mom recorded some of it. I'll try and put it on YouTube.

[jeffbert]

I watched the 1st segment; I do see the point that lady is making, & I agree but not without reservations. Given the choice of caring for an elderly & infirm parent & having a machine do it; yes, it seems rather cold to choose the latter. But this assumes that one is able, not only to handle the physical stress, but the emotional as well. My own dad is both physically & mentally incompetent; my mom is burdened with caring for an 80 year old infant. Even were I physically able, I doubt I could handle the stress. I would thus make the choices different:

either send him to a senior care center, or use a robot to care for him at home, assuming they were available & I could afford one. Now the choice to use the robot seems a bit preferred over the alternative, as it is fairly certain that the care at a senior center would be impersonal at best, and likely insufficient.