Page 10850
Feb 4, 2016
Robot Voice Designed To Annoy Telemarketers
Posted by Karen Hurst in categories: mobile phones, robotics/AI
Finally, the solution that I been looking for to combat Telemarketers.
TEXAS (CBSNEWS.COM) – We’ve all been there — usually right at dinner time, the phone rings and you pick up only to find out that you have now been roped into an unwanted conversation with a telemarketer. Have you ever wanted to give them a taste of their own medicine? Well, now, a developer is harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to turn the tables and annoy those pesky callers.
The Jolly Roger Telephone Co., from developer Roger Anderson, is a robot voice that answers with “hello?” and keeps the conversation going. When you get a telemarketing call, you manually conference in the robot and then go on about your life. It stays on the line and any time it senses a moment of silence in the conversation, the robot voice jumps in and fills the gap with generic responses like “yes” or “right” or “hang on.”
Continue reading “Robot Voice Designed To Annoy Telemarketers” »
Feb 4, 2016
NASA’s Spirit Mars rover found mysterious growths on Mars that could be the biggest discovery in science
Posted by Sean Brazell in categories: alien life, science
Feb 4, 2016
Astronauts and Arugula: Using Space-Station Technology to Grow Food — By Davina van Buren | Modern Farmer / smithsonian.com
Posted by Odette Bohr Dienel in categories: human trajectories, science, space, space travel
“Unlike other vertical farms that use market-ready technology, Romano developed Infinite Harvest’s proprietary building management system from the ground up, using his knowledge of space habitat design.
Feb 4, 2016
Wait not in vain | The Economist
Posted by Odette Bohr Dienel in categories: business, cryonics, human trajectories, science
“After decades of piecemeal progress, the science of cryogenically storing human organs is warming up”
Feb 4, 2016
India has to build its own capability in R&D
Posted by Karen Hurst in categories: internet, mobile phones
I cannot wait to see India’s version of DARPA — it is probably going to be amazing.
India is unable to spend its defence modernisation budget, says a report in this newspaper. Out of a current year allocation of Rs 63,675 crore, 40% remained unspent by end-December. This is bad not just for upgrading defence capability but also for Indian research and development and for Indian manufacturing.
It is time defence reimagined its entire strategy for procurement, using a portion of its typically large outlays to stimulate R&D in universities and specialised labs and private companies, and to give Indian companies, big and small, a chance to become suppliers of parts and equipment on a scale much larger than what obtains today. The key is to create an Indian equivalent of the Americans’ Darpa.
Continue reading “India has to build its own capability in R&D” »
Feb 4, 2016
Biodegradable bodies for more eco-friendly robots
Posted by Karen Hurst in categories: materials, robotics/AI
Biodegradable robot that looks like Sarah Palin.
Watch the video Biodegradable bodies for more eco-friendly robots on Yahoo News. Scientists are developing ‘smart materials’ that could lead to robots that will decompose like a human body once they’ve reached the end of their life-span. Matthew Stock reports.
Feb 4, 2016
Luxembourg launches plan to mine asteroids for minerals — By Clive Cookson | Financial Times
Posted by Odette Bohr Dienel in categories: business, geopolitics, governance, policy, space
“Mining in space will take a leap from the realms of science fiction towards commercial reality on Wednesday when Luxembourg launches an official initiative to promote the mining of asteroids for minerals.”
A few years ago, my friend and I were brainstorming on some NextGen Technologies to look at for investment purposes. And, he suggested Polymer Coating. And, was he ever right. Google and others are using it for screen imaging on Lens, etc. Love this stuff.
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have combined advanced nanometer-scale gratings and a Space Age-era thin-film polymer, to invent a novel technology. This technology can be used to fabricate routers and switches for optical signals, energy-efficient full-color video displays, and smart windows and coatings.
Feb 4, 2016
How to efficiently convert carbon dioxide from air to methanol fuel
Posted by Karen Hurst in categories: chemistry, energy
Convert carbon dioxide from air (at low temp) to methanol fuel — why not!
Researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute have created fuel out of thin air — directly converting carbon dioxide from air into methanol at relatively low temperatures for the first time. While methanol can’t currently compete with oil, it will be there when we run out of oil, the researchers note.
Continue reading “How to efficiently convert carbon dioxide from air to methanol fuel” »
