robot perlman et al

humanoid robots that have such fine motor control - quite thrilling! as long as they remember the 3 laws of robotics:

1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2. A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

isaac asimov wrote these in 1942. they still seem pretty applicable to me in 2007. i think we are a long way from android rights issues. meanwhile, as long as we find viable renewable power sources for such mechanical devices, the idea that they may be able to help older people to be physically safe and cared for is very attractive.

robot teddy bear

yesterday, the telegraph presented a story about a new robot designed in the usa. the headlines called it a "new us weapon". however, the article highlights its ability to carry a wounded serviceman from the battlefield.

read about the bear, aka Battlefield Extraction-Assist Robot, here.

the bbc report emphasises the rescuing ability of the bear, here. this includes the following quote:

"Gary Gilbert, from the US Army's Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Centre in Frederick, Maryland, said that the teddy bear appearance was deliberate. "A really important thing when you're dealing with casualties is trying to maintain that human touch.""

finally, time magazine's best inventions of 2006.