Things to make with dead computers

From our robots on the interweb feed today:    Simple Bots by Randy Sarafan   Check out Simple Bots at Instructables. Randy Sarafan, author of 62 Projects to Make with a Dead Computer, presents an array of robots using these guidelines: Easy and quick to build, simple, mobile, autonomous, and eventually able to incorporate more complex controls and/or be assimilated by a more complex system. The results are fascinating and include common household objects such as telephone handsets, paint brushes and small plastic containers. Simple bots typically rely on one or more RC servomotors modified for continuous drive for their mobility along with a pack of AA batteries.          

Robots with Emotion?

 

Scientists build robot that can learn emotions

An interesting article over at ComputerWorld. Will the singularity bring mercy from our new overlords?

See also:

Emotional humanoid robot Nao used to treat autistic children

 

Check out Robo-babies infographic at IEEE Spectrum!

 

Erico Guzzio posted this amazing and creepy infographic to IEEE Spectrum. Go check it out.

Also seen on boingboing.net!

Robot lifeguard Emily is no 'Baywatch Babe'

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20009180-1.html

New Gynoid from Kokoro - Is this Less Creepy? the Geminoid F

 

Famous robotocist Hiroshi Ishiguro is back again, with a new model of Geminoid, the Geminoid F. Apparently the "F" is for female. This is important since instead of using the term gynoid, the press and most robot makers simply apply android regardless of specific gendering.

While the initial press states that this robot is less creepy than ones in the past from Ishiguro, including the one he made of himself, only time will tell whether we will have another occupant taking up residence in the Uncanny Valley. Keep an eye out for this one.

Video after the jump.

A. G. Bear

A. G. Bear was a competing product with Teddy Ruxpin, produced by Axlon - one of Nolan Bushnell's companies.

Cameraphone Picture Processing that is just wrong

 
Our friend Mike Goodier posted this picture as his profile image on Facebook. It was so wrong that we felt the need to repost it here as an Uncanny Valley exemplar of cellphone software gone awry. Why would any company think it is a good idea to make their customers look like nearsighted rats? Maybe because the product name is "Rant"?
 
Mike says:
 
It's a Samsung Rant on the Sprint Network.Unfortunately the image on FB is about as high res as it gets. Thanks!
 
http://www.michaelgoodier.com/

NPR All Things Considered Covers Uncanny Valley!

National Public Radio ran a section covering the fundamentals of the Uncanny Valley recently.
Link to the article

"The Uncanny Valley is a notion that states that if you make a robot that it up to 95 percent realistic, it's fantastic. More realistic that that and it's a disaster. That's because a 96 percent lifelike robot is a human being with something wrong. Hollywood uses the concept when animating movies."

When is Real too Real?

 

When is Real too Real?

This article from The Irish Times looks at the creators of these hyper-real dolls.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/magazine/2010/0320/1224266402902.html
   

Your Computer Hates You

Your Computer Hates You
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