These ideas and tests are being done with robots.  The United States military is putting in the funds and the energy to test out how robots could potentially be called to the front lines eliminating the need for human beings to do it.  Of course it is still in testing stages, but there are other robotics being employed currently.  Check out the video of Fault Lines:  Robot Wars from the Al Jazeera English channel.

Research into AI has already yielded positive benefits to humanity in the form of advanced level computer languages, interfaces, and even simple word processors and spreadsheets.   People often hear the term “AI” and fail to grasp is finer meaning, and what it can potentially do for the human race.  As advancements in the field have been made over the years, AI has already crept into our everyday existence in a host of ways you probably haven’t considered.  Thankfully, I was able to learn more about this topic while watching documentaries on channels I obtained via www.nonstopvid.com, and I can now discuss the topic with some background in my favor.  Here is an infographic I found that will broaden your horizons concerning AI and its many uses in ordinary life:

This infographic traces back the history of robotics in a way that is fun to read and look at.  Perhaps you can find some interesting links in the distant past to the robotics that are all around us in today’s world.  To me, it is fascinating that people so long ago could envision something that has only recently begun to take shape and become reality.  Click on the graphic to see it full size.

Taylor Veltrop demonstrated his hybrid Kinect and Wii control system for humanoids in one of the highlights of the show. Of all the countries that participated, the US won the most medals with a total of 30. The USA won gold medals for android/humanoid competitions in the following  categories:  Kung-Fu Lightweight, MechWars Hardcore, and MechWars Airsoft.  Silver medals won by the USA included Kung-Fu Lightweight,  Freestyle– kit, MechWars Hardcore, and MechWars Airsoft.  Bronze medals for the USA included only Kung-Fu Lightweight, Stair Climbing, and MechWars Airsoft.

Androids, or humanoid robots, have been the stuff of science fiction imagination for hundreds of years, but only recently have they come close to being a reality.  The floor trembled during one activity where a robot called The Judge drove a pneumatic hammer into the highly armored top of one called Little Blue Engine.  A battle ensued that ended up favoring the smaller, Little Blue Engine robot, who won out in the end..

“It’s an awesome rush,” one spectator said. “Watching these robots go at it hand to hand, wheel to wheel, whatever, is just brilliant!”

After the events, the robots were in many pieces and the air smelled like melted wires, old welding, and parts.

Battle bots are basically modeled after tanks and driven by chunky wheels and are often armed with flippers,flame throwers, claws, hammers, and odd combinations of similar weapons.  These always prove to be a big hit with the crowds, who know that someday, robots will be everywhere in the world, not just at these proprietary robotic games events.  Each year, new talents emerge from a variety of top ranking technology and robotics schools with their latest contributions to the research and development of robots.  If you were unable to attend this year, there is always next year.  Meanwhile, you might like watching some of this year’s excitement on YouTube.

But what can you do with a degree in robotics?  Let’s explore a few career choices:

A Senior Robotics Engineer is a career with high pay and great personal satisfaction among those who enter it.  Most of the more highly collaborative and talented engineering team in the nation are looking for people with this skill set, who can come in with some knowledge and join a team ready to get down to serious business.  The development of safe, intelligent, and affordable robots that can transform how robots are used in industry, medicine, and manufacturing is the goal of most companies with robotics divisions.  A robotics engineer should live and breathe robotic algorithms such as kinematics, dynamics, and force control.  He should also be able to make robots do truly amazing things.

To learn more about fields in robotics, kick back with some incense for a natural high and peruse some of the online listings for robotics degree programs.  Enjoy.

Ron Tajima’s beer can robot is amazing. Who would have thought of making a robot out of a beer can? Wouldn’t it be great if your beer could walk over to you, instead of you having to get up and go get it yourself?  I think that is genius behind this.  Ron Tajima is my hero today for sure.

There is one such robot, thanks to Tajima, and you can see it by Googling “Tajima beer can robot” or looking that up on YouTube.  The can, placed next to several other objects on a table, is one of the least likely things there that one would guess is actually a robot.  When Tajima asks that very question, several other items on the table jump out at you, begging to be selected as the most obvious choice.

So, what does this souped up beer can do?  Is it really full of beer?  Actually, the can unfolds itself into a three-legged robot.  It can go across smooth surfaces pretty well for something made this way, but it not complex enough to traverse varied terrain.  It can shuffle on its three legs, or roll over on its side and roll to get to its destination.  That is pretty good, for a beer.

Think how much fun this would be to have at your next party.  You could place it strategically in the base of your beer can pyramid, then activate and control it with your Wii controller and have it ruin the whole thing.  Or, you could put it alongside several not yet consumed regular beers, and just have it start transforming without announcing it ahead of time.  People would be sure to get a bit of a shock from that.  Maybe a laugh, too.

This is not the first robot in a can idea that has ever been known.  If you search on Amazon.com, you will find a robot can kit for building a simple robot out of a can.   Still, this is pretty innovative.

cable internet bundles – The robotics division of Sony was the one department that didn’t make the cut when, in 2006, the corporation announced it must restructure and cut back expenses in order to keep profitability within the range acceptable according to Sony’s business model.  While robotics and AI research are undoubtedly important, and sales of Aibo were impressive for a product not aimed directly at mass market consumers, the robotics division was never one of Sony’s big money makers, and they had to let it go.  Aibo ceased being produced in 2006 along with a humanoid robot called Qrio, that was never released to the market for sale.

Since the demise of the much loved Aibo, many other companies have developed cheaper, more toy-like knockoffs of Sony’s flagship electronic dog.  Sega unveiled the first iDog in 2005.  This four-legged canine robot featured a configuration of switches situated on its nose and other parts of its relatively compact body that were used to create and play back music. Other buttons and lights indicated the robotic dog’s emotional state, while a labyrinth of on board sensors detected and reacted to movements when it was held in an owner’s hands.  iDog is currently still available today for less than $50 USD.   iDog does not do all of the things that Aibo did, and does not even come close to Aibo’s abilities as a companion robot.

Other cheaper imitations (with limitations) included the Poo-Chi and Tekno robotic dogs.

In the US, the Face Off game set one robot against another, so that they could battle their way through an elimination tourney.  The winner was the robot who could completely immobilize its opponent.  The next game was called Mob Scene and allowed melee combat in free for all style between multiple robots.  These were divided into light weight (10-40 lbs) and all weight classes.  Finally, there was an Escort game in which one lone robot had to escort a drone robot safely across the battlefield while the drone was under attack by another robot.

In the UK, the format was slightly changed.  The three challenges, counterparts of the US games outlined above, were:

The Gauntlet — a maze of obstacles with house robots patrolling and guarding it.  The competing robots had to push their way through as much of the maze as possible during a limited amount of time.  The robot covering least ground at the end was eliminated, and the rest went on to the next challenge.

The Trial — this phase consisted of several different types of battle named fun things like “sumo,” “tug of war,” and “joust.”  The robot who scored least overall was eliminated, and the others went on to the final challenge.

The Arena — This was definitely the most exciting challenge of all on the program.  The four robots who made it through phases 1 and 2 were divided into pairs who battled head to head in a closed arena patrolled by house robots.  Then the two robots left have one final, monumental battle that settles things once and for all.

This show, both the American and British versions, is often syndicated on cable channels and can be watched on YouTube as well.  Anyone who is very interested in robots, robot battles, robotic wars, arena fights, and technology — in other words, anyone who is a major geek — will adore this show for its action, adventure, and high tech wizardry.

More recently, the Nickelodeon network began its own robot wars television program.   This ran only from August 25, 2002 to October 6, 2002.  It has been broadcast on Spike TV.