According to this article, the techniques of eXtreme Programming are being used to create mission-critical, on-demand code for the Phoenix Spacecraft and its robotic arm. (Let's hope they've finally switched to the metric system, too!) I'm not sure what they're expecting to find, but if they can produce more images like this one, let's hope their funding gets a big boost!
Saturday, June 7, 2008
eXtreme Programming Goes to Mars
According to this article, the techniques of eXtreme Programming are being used to create mission-critical, on-demand code for the Phoenix Spacecraft and its robotic arm. (Let's hope they've finally switched to the metric system, too!) I'm not sure what they're expecting to find, but if they can produce more images like this one, let's hope their funding gets a big boost!
Biomemetics at Tufts
At the lab of Barry Trimmer at Tufts University, researchers are building robots inspired by caterpillars and other invertebrates. This article, with cool photos and video, explains the idea. Trimmer's previous work includes a groundbreaking study of the role of mitochondria in producing the firefly's glow -- co-authored with Washington & Lee's own June Aprille.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Featured Videos
I mentioned in class the other day YouTube had featured a few robotics videos. Here are the links:
This first one is called "Robots inspired by Animals"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Tq8Yw19bn7Q
I tend to think that this is a very intelligent approach to experimenting with artificial intelligence. As we don't fully understand the human mind, it is better to start by emulating something simpler - like a fish, a bug, or an animal. I think we can learn a lot by starting simple like this, and then moving onto more ambitious projects in the future. Not to mention the fact that the robots look really cool.
This next one features a robot designed by Toyota that they programmed to play the violin, and a few other designs.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qyPAIpXm-nU&feature=related
At first glance, I thought it was a bit lame - considering it could only do one thing (play the violin) - making it essentially a one-trick pony. But, when I watched it again, I was actually incredibly fascinated. The mobility of the robot is quite impressive. It seems like the hardware is progressing along quite well - now all they need is better, more versatile software technology. I'm still waiting for the first all robot orchestra.
And speaking of orchestras, they have this video of a robot conduction the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Pretty Hilarious, actually.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Cf5szwz6Qzc
This first one is called "Robots inspired by Animals"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Tq8Yw19bn7Q
I tend to think that this is a very intelligent approach to experimenting with artificial intelligence. As we don't fully understand the human mind, it is better to start by emulating something simpler - like a fish, a bug, or an animal. I think we can learn a lot by starting simple like this, and then moving onto more ambitious projects in the future. Not to mention the fact that the robots look really cool.
This next one features a robot designed by Toyota that they programmed to play the violin, and a few other designs.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qyPAIpXm-nU&feature=related
At first glance, I thought it was a bit lame - considering it could only do one thing (play the violin) - making it essentially a one-trick pony. But, when I watched it again, I was actually incredibly fascinated. The mobility of the robot is quite impressive. It seems like the hardware is progressing along quite well - now all they need is better, more versatile software technology. I'm still waiting for the first all robot orchestra.
And speaking of orchestras, they have this video of a robot conduction the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Pretty Hilarious, actually.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Cf5szwz6Qzc
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