This week in Robotics

Well, I started writing this a week ago (weird – I typed this a week ago but am referring to the present in the past tense...) because I realised that my "This week in Robotics" posts would require me to write during the week rather than at the end. Also, I have learnt, that news is always happening, so as soon as I post my weekly report I would have to start on the next one.

I think there are definitely some really good summary points that I would like to make:

1. What makes something a robot? Please take note I think there is a subtle difference between robots and robotics. Please take the poll I posted (top right).
2. Google is definitely up to something regarding robotics. Watch this space.
3. Microsoft is busy [buying a brand] and not so busy doing robotics… or so I thought. I mailed one of MRDS lead devs, [George Chrysanthakopoulos] (this guy is my hero). This is what he had to say:
   

   " RDS is alive and well. We will soon announce updates to it, with exciting new stuff. Stay tuned!"

   He took about 5 seconds to respond. What a great guy! He and [Trevor Taylor] are my two favourite people in the world. Don’t tell my fiancée I said that…

Otherwise, here is the news:

• Robots have developed the trait of "altruism" (sharing) – Swiss researchers have found that even robots can learn that sharing is caring. [REF]
• Georgia Robotics has a small cohort of loveable (but not loving) robots that coordinate and spell. [REF]
• The University of Pennsylvania is creating robotic swarms [REF]
• The Chinese are getting better and better at autonomous flight, with their autonomous helicopter doing very well [REF]
• RoboDynamics, a telepresence robotics company, are coming out with a $1000.00 production line, called Luna. [REF]
• I do believe the more accessible robots feel to the end user the more people may actually realise there is nothing of which to be scared. Google and Hasbro have joined forces in making a really simple little bot – who knows – maybe one day we will have an Android supported android? [REF]
• Google is pushing robotics for some reason, and I don’t think telerobotics is the only reason… [REF]
• Psssst! Google is attempting to get Nevada to legally allow autonomous vehicles on the road. [REF]
• In a recent poll, engineering’s "next big thing" will in fact be quite small: Illness defeating Nanobots [REF]
• The sandswimming robot could be useful in disaster situations. [REF]
• The Cornell Ranger robot walked 40.5 miles with no charge. That’s pretty good! [REF]

So this is the latest (but not so greatest) news, do to the fact that I had to post AFTER the weekend:
TOP NEWS FOR THE WEEK:

1. According to an announcement, Aldebaran Robotics (creators of Nao) is planning to make a "significant portion" of their software open source. [REF] and [REF] This might be really great news, as we could import the bot back into MRDS.
2. An external party, called Dexter Industries, is manufacturing a Thermal Infrared Sensor for the Lego NXT. [REF]

And the rest of it:

• Will music made by robots ever have the emotion or flair of that of their human equivalents? Time will only tell as musical machines are introduced [REF]
• This robot has learnt to use a hammer. Make sure you only give it nail shaped problems. [REF] and [REF]
• Smart wheelchairs are helping the vision-impaired: [REF]
• Head movements may be capable of controlling robot swarms in the near future. [REF]

Until next week – keep making friends!