Science Buzz A robot named Adam that can form hypotheses and test them has made its first discovery without human help. So far it has only discovered what some genes in yeast do. But that is no reason not to panic. And the team who built Adam is working on an Eve! Great. Just great.
This creepy robot plays the violin terrifyingly well. OK, people, let's review: robots are EVIL. Today it's violins, tomorrow it's Armageddon. STOP MAKING CREEPY ROBOTS, everybody. Thanks.
This is why you test the robots out on dummies before you deploy them in real disasters. I'm not a doctor, but I bet dragging a disaster victim onto a truck by the neck would make things worse.
This chart shows the top 10 countries by robot population density. Anyone surprised that Japan tops the list? Although the US military is working hard to bring us closer to the brink of terrifying robot doom.
http://blog.wired.com/defense/2008/12/video-air-force.html
So the Air Force is developing super-creepy flying robots that look like pigeons or bugs and could be equipped with “incapacitating chemicals” or explosives. Great! Good to know our government is preparing for the robot apocalypse.
Food Buzz An electronic wine-taster that can identify wine as easily as a human palate. The electronic tongue is also handy for spotting fake wines or illegal preservatives. But how do they square off against human supertasters?
Tech Buzz A nice-looking Flash game to help you fritter away your afternoon. Combining the control skills of Robotron and all sorts of weapons upgrades, it’s lengthier and more complex than your average Flash game, but also good fun.
Tech Buzz The Femisapien (in Japan, known as E.M.A.) is designed to respond to kisses and sway her lady-like hips when she walks. She’s busty! And surprise, she’s being marketed mainly towards adults.
A designer takes a look at the robot beneath all those cuddly stuffed animals. This is both scary and confirms my long-standing suspicion of all talking/moving stuffed animals. Don’t trust the robots!