DARPA robot Atlas, unveiled and competition set.

[Further]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...as-shrugged-darpa-unveils-new-humanoid-robot/
In the above link is an article and two clips about a state of the art and still being worked on, Robot. 6'2" and around 300lbs, this humanoid style robot designed by Boston Dynamics to operate in hazards where people can't, search and rescue after earthquakes or stuff like that.

Basically there is currently a competition going on between teams around the world to program brains so the robot can traverse an obstacle course. After that, six teams will be given an Atlas and two million bucks to further design the software and refine hardware.

Seriously, check out the link and watch the clips, it's pretty cool but also a little scary. Let me know your thoughts.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

 

[Further]

Or the real one, almost as scary

 

[Further]

EDIT: i was just being douche

 

[Natebishop3]

Man.... whether or not the machines become self-aware, having an army of UAVs and UGVs will make it very easy for a group of few to control a group of many.

 

[Eastoff]

It's a little scary, but it's not too surprising. It's kind of an expectation.

 

[Further]

Man.... whether or not the machines become self-aware, having an army of UAVs and UGVs will make it very easy for a group of few to control a group of many.

So the question is, right now, do you think the people in charge are funding these robots to do dangerous work where man can't go, like after earthquakes or tornadoes, or do you think they are being designed to "manage people", be militaristic? And does the intent matter, as we can all pretty much surmise there will come a day when robots will be used in those ways.

 

[Further]

It's a little scary, but it's not too surprising. It's kind of an expectation.

Kind of scary, but also really cool. I understand both sides of the issue.

The benefit could be enormous, imagine one in hibernation on every block that can be activated if there is a fire or heart attack or natural disaster. Quick and efficient response.

On the other hand there is robocop (the bad robots, not robcop himself.) Being forced to do the bidding of whoever is in charge. Massive force what obeys unequivocally.


Kind of reminds me of the nuclear issue back in the day. On one hand, cheap environmentally friendly energy, on the other hand a massively dangerous weapon and hazards of storage.

 

[Nikolokolus]

It's weird to me how they actually went for an anthropomorphic design.

 

[Further]

It's weird to me how they actually went for an anthropomorphic design.

If you check out DARPA on youtube, which I suggest you do, it's really quite amazing, you will notice most of their robots aren't humanoid. Basically only PETMAN and now ATLAS.

One of the stages in the obstacle course is getting in a car and driving it to the next location. I suppose if you want to be able to operate like that then they need to fit the humanoid mold.

 

[Further]

Here's a better thread

 

[Natebishop3]

I'm already convinced that Google is actually Skynet. It will become self-aware and destroy us all.

 

[jlprk]

As robots remove the bad people among us, we should honor them for defending our freedom.