Category Archives: Robotics

A Robot the Size of the World

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In 2016, I wrote about an Internet that affected the world in a direct, physical manner. It was connected to your smartphone. It had sensors like cameras and thermostats. It had actuators: Drones, autonomous cars. And it had smarts in the middle, using sensor data to figure out what to do and then actually do it. This was the Internet of Things (IoT).

The classical definition of a robot is something that senses, thinks, and acts—that’s today’s Internet. We’ve been building a world-sized robot without even realizing it.

In 2023, we upgraded the “thinking” part with large-language models (LLMs) like GPT. ChatGPT both surprised and amazed the world with its ability to understand human language and generate credible, on-topic, humanlike responses. But what these are really good at is interacting with systems formerly designed for humans. Their accuracy will get better, and they will be used to replace actual humans…

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Humanoid/quadruped transformer throws boxes like a baggage handler

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Swiss Mile’s ANYmal robot is a remarkable beast, capable of getting around as a wheeled quadruped, or standing up on its hind legs and using its front wheels as hands. Now, it’s learning to do useful tasks – in about the funniest way possible.Continue … Continue reading Humanoid/quadruped transformer throws boxes like a baggage handler→

UK MoD wants to add ChatGPT to combat simulation robots

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If your close combat simulation droid isn’t chatty enough, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has your back. It’s awarded a contract to combat training specialist company 4GD to add ChatGPT language models to its SimStriker robot targets.Continue Reading… Continue reading UK MoD wants to add ChatGPT to combat simulation robots→

Medical nanobots could communicate by releasing molecules into bloodstream

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Implants and tiny machines could eventually be working inside our bodies to help treat disease or monitor activity, but letting them communicate is tricky. Now scientists at EPFL have developed a system whereby devices can communicate by releasing mole… Continue reading Medical nanobots could communicate by releasing molecules into bloodstream→

UK MoD to use scarily realistic mannequin to train Army surgeons

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In a stomach-churning development, the UK Ministry of Defence has unveiled the latest version of the Surgical Advanced Mannequin (SAM) for training combat surgeons, which is almost too good at simulating battle injuries, including very realistic bleedi… Continue reading UK MoD to use scarily realistic mannequin to train Army surgeons→

Fraunhofer’s high-speed logistics robots may steal humanoids’ thunder

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Early humanoid robots probably won’t be able to do much that Fraunhofer’s self-balancing evoBOT can’t do much faster, and its new autonomous, omnidirectional O³dyn pallet jack looks like another slam dunk for logistics and warehousing.Continue ReadingC… Continue reading Fraunhofer’s high-speed logistics robots may steal humanoids’ thunder→

Groundbreaking bionic hand restores quality of life to amputee

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The world is edging closer to creating fully functional prosthetic limbs, with the first clinical bionic attachment connected directly to the nervous and skeletal systems, plus artificial intelligence, restoring around 80% of daily use to the user’s ha… Continue reading Groundbreaking bionic hand restores quality of life to amputee→

Deloitte: Many Organizations Don’t Know If They Have Ethical Standards for Using Generative AI

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Some 74% are testing generative AI, principles should be adopted to foster trust, according to the firm’s 2023 State of Ethics and Trust in Technology report. Continue reading Deloitte: Many Organizations Don’t Know If They Have Ethical Standards for Using Generative AI→