regarding tomorrow:

Air Force Developing Spy Planes That Can Recharge on Power Lines

What is that thing sitting on the power line besides someone’s sneakers, tossed up to wrap and hang?  Oh, that’s one of the Air Force’s new spy planes, draining ambient energy.  When I consider what robots will need to become self-reliant and, thus, autonomous, here is my list:

1.  AI that works and can adapt
2.  Fuel/power supply
3.  Ability to heal or replace worn parts

Seems this might handle #2 on the list. Fortunately, we’re still a bit away from serious AI (we hope).  Does make me think we might want to limit robot production to humans.  If robots control the robot factory, why not take it over and manage their own production?

The Original Mecca Gets Wi-Fi in Time for Pilgrims

Considering our previous link to an article on Muslim Science, it is interesting that a networking group, Tropos, based out of California, was allowed to install (or perhaps they sub-contracted to a Saudi group) a wireless network near the holy city.  Certainly a positive sign of religion and technology/science coming together.

Strawberries That Taste Like Chocolate

Food improvements?  Work on changing the base flavors and nutrient value of foods.  Given the concerns over the loss of natural nutrients over the last century, this may be a necessity until we can figure out a healthy and effective method for cycling nutrients back into the soil from which our fruits and vegetables are grown.

Snorting a Brain Chemical Could Replace Sleep

Development of a nasal spray containing a natural hormone orexin A, as an effort to offset a variety of situations through which individuals suffer from sleep deprivation.  According to the article, the first application would be for individuals suffering from sleep apnea, but would be tested for soldiers/pilots to allow longer time on duty and could become a popular drug for individuals who work/study for loonger hours.  I can only imagine there would be an immediate consideration for ER doctors and support specialists working after natural disasters, though there is no comment on how this might effect fatigue.

They mention coffee users, who self-medicate as an effort to overcome the effects of poor sleep habits, and this reminds me of the introduction of caffeinated water and reports of how people began to make coffee using this extra source of caffeine.  As such, how soon might orexin A begin to appear in coffee chains, sports drinks and as a “shot” in our smoothie?  But, the combination of orexin A and caffeine may benefit those who require mental and physical lifts, as there is much concern over the use of caffeine in professional/collegiate sports to gain an edge. 

Taking Inspiration from Nature

Further research on breaking away from humanoid robots by mimicking movement found in nature.

FuelPod from Green Fuels

A company out of the UK, called Green Fuels, is selling a series of equipment allowing consumers to make their own biofuel from waste cooking oil combined with methanol.  Creates up to 100 liters per day with their largest offering.

“Take a Set” a Chair that Follows You

The video is worth more than any words I can set down.  Makes me wish I was a better 3D animator.  Would be fascinating to create an environment in which an avatar could move through the terrain and the terrain would respond automatically.  Imagine a living room where, as more people arrive for a party, the seating automatically expands/rearranges to allow for adequate space and comfort for everyone to remain engaged as part of the group.

Project Aiko

A project to build an android is taking place in Canada.  Designed to mimic the human ability to feel pain, partially as an effort build limbs to help amputees replace lost tactile function (specifically mentions pain, which is an interested starting point).

Quote from the site “It is my dream to have Aiko be as human-like as possible. I’m not sure
if it is possible, but there is no way to find out unless I try.”

Meets a few of my categories:

Body Alteration: Ability to replace lost body parts.

Intimacy/Recreation: Tactile function at a distance?  Will take teledildonics to new levels.  Bots which are capable of sex, but offer a more human level of interaction, may allow for more fulfilling relationships.

Healing/Psychology: We can only assume prosthetics with the ability to replicate nerve function would allow for more complete recovery for amputees (and possibly to discover methods for individuals with irreversible nerve damage) over time.

Interface: Would this allow us to use robotics to “feel” items at a distance?  Certainly a step up for surgeons operating from a distance and engineers manufacturing technology by hand.

Two articles on Boeing military laser development.  One involves a jet based missile-destroying laser rig and the other is mounted on a Humvee for destroying IEDs.

Intra-Body Communication: Use Your Body to Download Data

Using the body to complete a loop through which data can flow is a brilliant method for allowing humans to use tactile manipulation to identify, select and receive data.  A bit more like hunting and gathering than any of our current interfaces.  I do wonder how this, combined with multitouch interfaces and cheap LCDs will change our interaction with our environment?

I also wonder what the medical repercussions may be?  Current belief of wi-fi contributing to autism (Wi-Fi linked to childhood autism – debunked by Ars Technica, so the research continues) is a concern and any time we send electrical impulses through the body, there is a need for consideration of the risks involved.