558194
submission
StCredZero writes:
An awesome Modular Snake Robot! In addition to being able to traverse a wide variety of terrain, it can also climb poles, the inside of pipes and condiuts, small grooves in walls, and probably more. It can also swim. Many robots can do one of those tasks. This can do them all! That's quite an accomplishment. This has tremendous potential for the maintenance of fiber optic networks, pipelines, and plumbing in large buildings. It also has tremendous potential as a spy device. (I wonder how loud it is?)
Here is a link to the original researcher's website
550756
submission
StCredZero writes:
From the article: "Nanocomp Technologies of Concord, is producing sheets of carbon nanotubes that measure three feet by six feet and promising slabs 100 square feet in area as soon as this summer... One of many application of interests to futurists would be superior solar sails A carbon nanotube sail could reach 4% of the speed of light by just making a close flyby slingshot around the sun."
513266
submission
StCredZero writes:
From Science Daily: The ability to grow individual nanowires of unlimited length are now possible with a process developed by researchers at the University of Illinois. The Space Elevator is starting to look possible!
315499
submission
StCredZero writes:
From the article:
'Scientists are making progress on neural devices that can translate the thoughts of a paralyzed person into driving action for a prosthetic device.
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology said Wednesday that they've developed an algorithm for a neural prosthetic aid that can link an individual's brain activity to the person's intentions; and then translate that intention into movement.'
Only a matter of time before 14 year old kids are saving the world by piloting Giant Robots.
305385
submission
StCredZero writes:
Wild. Fuji has created a Photocopier that Automatically Translates Documents from Japanese to English. That's pretty nuts. Apparently, the copier can figure out what sections are text, OCR the text, send it to a translation engine, and put the English back into place. As if documentation produced in Asia wasn't Bad Enough!
273261
submission
StCredZero writes:
There's something about these things that seems errily alive! The Starfish Robot reminds me of the Grid Bugs from Tron. But it's very real, and apparently capable of Self Introspection. In fact, instead of being explicitly coded, it teaches itself how to walk, and it can even learn how to compensate for damage.
189851
submission
StCredZero writes:
From the article: ...CCP plans the radical step of opening itself up to independent oversight: nine player-overseers who will act as ombudsmen for the game's subscribers. The company says it will hold the elections in the fall.
Is this for real, or is it just democratic window dressing? Time will tell. (I hope the latter. It's a great game!)
