Robotics/AI – Lifeboat News: The Blog

How to Control a Machine with Your Brain

Posted by John Gallagher in biotech/medical, cyborgs, robotics/AI

Nov 19
2018

Jan Scheuermann was one of the first volunteers on DARPA’s Revolutionizing Prosthetics program and became a pioneer in the field of brain-machine interface, controlling first an advanced robotic arm, and then a simulated jet, with her mind alone. The New Yorker tells her story in exquisite detail, along with the story of Nathan Copeland, the volunteer who followed Jan in the research and put his own spin on how it unfolded.

A neuroscientist’s research into the mysteries of motion helps a paralyzed woman escape her body.

Breakthrough neural network paves the way for quantum AI

Posted by Genevieve Klien in information science, quantum physics, robotics/AI

Nov 19
2018

A team of Italian researchers successfully ran a perceptron algorithm on a real, working quantum computer using IBM’s cloud-access Q Experience system.

Watch just a few self-driving cars stop traffic jams

Posted by Michael Lance in robotics/AI, transportation | 1 Comment on Watch just a few self-driving cars stop traffic jams

Nov 19
2018

What’s one way to prevent a traffic jam? Self-driving cars may have an answer:

Artificial intelligence–powered cars can put the brakes on stop-and-go traffic.

Humanoid robot mirrors user movements

Posted by Shailesh Prasad in robotics/AI, virtual reality

Nov 19
2018

Control this humanoid robot in VR.

Robot VR Experience

Posted by Shailesh Prasad in robotics/AI, virtual reality

Nov 19
2018

Robots help extend VR into the real-world.

Is Artificial Intelligence Dangerous? 6 AI Risks Everyone Should Know About

Posted by Genevieve Klien in robotics/AI, transportation

Nov 19
2018

Misalignment between our goals and the machine’s

Part of what humans value in AI-powered machines is their efficiency and effectiveness. But, if we aren’t clear with the goals we set for AI machines, it could be dangerous if a machine isn’t armed with the same goals we have. For example, a command to “Get me to the airport as quickly as possible” might have dire consequences. Without specifying that the rules of the road must be respected because we value human life, a machine could quite effectively accomplish its goal of getting you to the airport as quickly as possible and do literally what you asked, but leave behind a trail of accidents.

Discrimination.

One of the fathers of AI is worried about its future

Posted by Michael Lance in futurism, robotics/AI

Nov 18
2018

AI research by itself will tend to lead to concentrations of power, money, and researchers … this is not healthy. Even in a democracy, it’s dangerous to have too much power concentrated in a few hands.

Yoshua Bengio wants to stop talk of an AI arms race, and make the technology more accessible to the developing world.

What is AI? We drew you a flowchart to work it out

Posted by Michael Lance in robotics/AI

Nov 18
2018

The definition of artificial intelligence is constantly evolving, and the term often gets mangled, so we are here to help.

Robotic Russian Cargo Ship Delivers Tons of Supplies to Space Station

Posted by Genevieve Klien in robotics/AI, space, transportation

Nov 18
2018

An uncrewed Russian cargo ship linked up with the International Space Station Sunday (Nov. 18) to deliver nearly 3 tons of supplies for the orbiting lab.

The resupply ship, called Progress 71, docked at the space station at 2:28 p.m. EST (1928 GMT) as both spacecraft sailed 252 miles (405 kilometers) over Algeria. Progress 71 launched into orbit Friday (Nov. 16) from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

“A textbook journey for the Progress,” NASA spokesperson Rob Navias said during live commentary. [The Space Station’s Robotic Cargo Ship Fleet in Pictures].

Imagine avoiding ground traffic and riding in one of these air taxis

Posted by Michael Lance in robotics/AI, supercomputing, transportation

Nov 18
2018

NASA engineers are using some of the most powerful supercomputers in the world to design rotary wing vehicles that combine both piloted and autonomous operations. Urban Air Mobility is a safe and efficient system that can transport a small number of passengers and cargo, without the need for long runways. Check it out: https://go.nasa.gov/2FvGPfH