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Aug 29, 2015

David Hanson: We are close to building the first sentient robot

Posted by in categories: energy, materials, robotics/AI

Hanson would be unimpressed by my use of the word “it” to describe his robots, though. His latest creations, Han and Sophia, are “he” and “she” respectively. And Hanson believes that the latter model will become the “first sentient robot, the first one to achieve human-like consciousness.”

This is because Sophia is smaller in size – all of her mechanisms fit inside a smaller chassis. This is beneficial for two reasons: she costs less to make in terms of materials and it takes her less energy to make facial expressions and move around.

“Because of this, she can make more of a difference in the world,” Hanson explains. He adds:

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Aug 29, 2015

Cheaper, More Efficient LED Technology Developed

Posted by in categories: engineering, sustainability

Scientists including one of Indian origin have developed a new highly efficient and low cost light emitting diode that could help spur more widespread adoption of the LED technology.

“It can potentially revolutionise lighting technology. In general, the cost of LED lighting has been a big concern thus far. Energy savings have not balanced out high costs. The new discovery could change that,” explained Zhibin Yu, assistant professor of industrial and manufacturing engineering at Florida State University.

Yu developed this technology with a team that included post-doctoral researcher Junqiang Li and graduate students Sri Ganesh Bade and Xin Shan.

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Aug 29, 2015

That’s Awesome! Visit: www.technologyvista.com

Posted by in category: futurism

That’s Awesome!

Visit: www.technologyvista.com.

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Aug 29, 2015

Boeing’s new laser canon can destroy drones in mid-flight

Posted by in categories: drones, habitats, military, space

Drones are everywhere these days. They’re at your local park, they’re in the ocean, they’re hovering over the White House lawn, and they may even be hovering overhead armed with tear gas.

In a world that’s becoming increasingly drone friendly, there are some serious safety considerations that shouldn’t be ignored.

Continue reading “Boeing's new laser canon can destroy drones in mid-flight” »

Aug 29, 2015

Apple, Boeing, MIT, and more partner with Pentagon to improve flexible electronics

Posted by in categories: electronics, health, military

https://youtube.com/watch?v=IYfD4sXahJI

A consortium of top tech companies, laboratories, and universities is partnering with the Department of Defense to improve the manufacturing of flexible electronics, which could one day end up in aircraft, health monitors, military tools, or consumer electronics like wearables. The department is awarding the consortium, known as the FlexTech Alliance, $75 million over five years, with other sources, including universities, non-profits, and state and local governments, contributing an additional $96 million.

The consortium is composed of well over 100 organizations, with key partners including Apple, Boeing, GE, GM, Lockheed Martin, Motorola Mobility, and Qualcomm, among many others. Partnering universities include Cornell, Harvard, Stanford, NYU, and MIT, also among many others.

Continue reading “Apple, Boeing, MIT, and more partner with Pentagon to improve flexible electronics” »

Aug 29, 2015

The algorithm that can learn to copy ANY artist

Posted by in category: information science

Researchers fed their system a series of old masters — and it turned a modern day snap into perfect pictures in the style of some of the world’s best known paintings.

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Aug 28, 2015

Freaky AI robot

Posted by in categories: entertainment, robotics/AI

An excerpt from PBS “NOVA science now”: “AI robot that learns new words in real-time tells human creators it will keep them in a “people zoo” #BladeRunner #TuringTest #AI #Robotics


Freaky AI robot, taken from Nova science now, here’s the full episode, enjoy bigsmile
http://video.pbs.org/video/1801365037
Also yay for me, 2 videos in one day bigsmile bigsmile

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Aug 28, 2015

Terminator-style ‘skin’ quickly repairs itself after a gunshot | New Scientist

Posted by in categories: habitats, materials, space

Other self-healing plastics exist, but they take much longer to repair themselves. The ability to instantly plug holes could be especially useful to protect structures in space, where flying objects can puncture spacecraft or orbiting habitats. The plastic could be incorporated into their walls, creating a seal if the atmosphere inside a vessel starts to leak out, putting astronauts at risk.

Other fabrics take a different approach: stopping projectiles altogether. A futuristic tissue combining human skin cells with spider silk can cushion a gunshot when fired at half speed. Pure graphene, which is made up of layers of carbon one-atom thick, is being investigated for use in bulletproof armour because it can handle blows better than steel.

Continue reading “Terminator-style 'skin' quickly repairs itself after a gunshot | New Scientist” »

Aug 28, 2015

New experiment verifies quantum spookiness

Posted by in category: particle physics

A new experiment provides the most robust proof that quantum mechanics doesn’t follow the rules we take for granted in everyday life.

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Aug 28, 2015

Say it ain’t so: 6 Mars hoaxes you keep falling for

Posted by in category: space

Here are some misconceptions about Mars that just won’t die.

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