Developed by a team at Duke University, the bot uses ultrasound to identify areas of density in human flesh, then starts probing them with a rather painfully large looking needle. It could be used to locate and extract bits of shrapnel from stricken GIs on the battlefield, but that same tech might also be deployed to pierce women’s breasts and men’s prostates — ostensibly to treat cancers of those respective regions, but we can think of more nefarious reasons. The bot doesn’t have a name, but once it and its kind take over, neither will you.
Tracy Jones-Harris Robots Duke University, Robot, Shrapnel, Surgeon
Despite how unsettling this contraption is, the inventor, James Trevely, claims that the sheep don’t mind it all that much. In fact, he says that the sheep often fell asleep mid-shear, which I find hard to believe. Even harder to believe? That according to physiological stress tests, copulation is the most stressful activity for sheep to withstand. You sheep need to work on your self-confidence.
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School pupils are to be taught by the world’s first robot teacher in one of the most radical uses so far of android technology.
The device, created by scientists after 15 years of research, is being trialled at a primary school in Tokyo. Named Saya, she can speak different languages, carry out roll calls, set tasks and make facial expressions – including anger – thanks to 18 motors hidden behind her latex face.
The Japanese government has said that by 2015 it wants a robot in every home and is pouring $35 million (£23 million) into robotic intelligence to make it happen. The push is because of Japan’s ageing population – in seven years one in four Japanese will be over 65 – which means the workforce is declining, pushing up wage costs for businesses and making recruitment difficult
Tracy Jones-Harris Robots Japan, Primary Teacher, Robot, Tracher
Researchers at Germany’s Ilmenau University of Technology are developing flying quadcopter robots that can be used to form a self-assembling ad-hoc wireless network in the event of disaster. Built with off-the-shelf parts (including VIA’s Pico-ITX hardware and a GPS unit) the robots are designed to provide both mobile phone and WiFi access — and they can do it far more quickly than a technician on the ground might be able to. The device comes in a kit for €300, ($590AUD) which includes all but the battery — the batteries currently run around €1,000 ($2000AUD) and only offer up 20 minutes of flight time. Once the device has found a perch, however, it can operate for “several hours.”
Tracy Jones-Harris Robots disastert relief, GPS, Robots, WiFi