Robotic Cleaning

In IEEE Spectrum:  As might be expected we avidly explored the future of cleaning.  In particular we examined robotic approaches. Watching development and commercialization of methods like the Roomba.  In particular it is quite difficult to clean multiple, irregular surfaces in home environments.  Here is a new idea, using multiple small robotic motes.   Just an early  concept for now, but interesting to consider the idea in outline.   " ... Mab is a self cleaning system consisting of 908 robots which clean the surface of a  floor with a drop touching and trapping the dirt particles on the floor. These robots also fulfill the task of feeding the system energy by capturing solar energy in its wings. The second component of the Mab is the core, which the robots returns to, and this central part handles multiple tasks: it generates the mixture of water with an additive that gives higher surface tension and a pleasant odor to the water; it is controlling the robot based on information they are providing of the environment; receiving contaminated droplets and filters it to remove the dirt from the water, saving the highest percentage possible and cleans its walking surfaces. ... " 

Connected Vehicles

In Engadget:  Note the integration with decision flow.  Ford studies space robots to improve communications with connected cars.  " ... by studying the way robots interact, Ford hopes to develop its cars' communications systems so that tasks like contacting emergency services after an accident will be performed even if the vehicle is damaged or the data connection is lost. What's most fascinating are the so-called "mesh networks" which allow robots to maintain a flow of information amongst themselves and with their controllers on Earth and aboard the International Space Station in the event of a disrupted connection.  ... "

Web Based Brain for Robots

In the BBC:   A  little tongue in cheek, but I agree with the long range premise.  That the Web has become a sort of brain with memory and store of expertise.  And that our machines will need to be taught to use it. I disagree that general intelligence may be close at hand, but the path is being scoped out today.  And part of that scope will be provided by the Web.

DARPA Robotics Challenge Results

In IEEE Spectrum:  Very good piece on the challenge, its essential components and the results announced today.    This is interesting too because it describes elemental tasks that are of interest to DARPA and also of industry.  I see that the IHMC, the Institute for Human and Machine Computing, who we did work with, was one of the winners.   See the informative description of their entry.  Need to revisit their current work.

Humanoid Robotics

Kurzweil on Samsung's humanoid robot.  The visual map aspect of the intelligence of the device is intriguing.  Geography and knowledge need maps.   I have often mused on the need for a robotic to look like a human.  Will that cause more complications than the value it provides?  Likely inevitable, though.    It does not seem that previous attempts at humanoid robotics have been particularly useful,  just clever demonstrations.

Tiny Robots Solving Problems

One more piece on the use of AI driven robotics to swarm to difficult or dangerous spaces.    I repeat, also that there is is the potential to link these with sensors to agent based abstract models.
I want to see more about autonomy and goal directed capabilities.  " ... Scientists at Harvard have spent the past five years building robot bugs that can move with the same dexterity and speed as real-life insects. The goal, according to Harvard Microbiotics Lab, is to "create high-performance aerial and ambulatory microrobots," which can perform tasks such as "search and rescue operations, assisted agriculture, environmental monitoring, and exploration of hazardous environments." ... "

Real Time Robotic (Agent) Game

In IEEE Spectrum: An intriguing view of upcoming robotics games and AI.  Will this result in game style interaction with the real world?  It could be described as a physical implementation of an agent model.   " ... Anki, a startup founded by three Carnegie Mellon roboticists, had been in stealth mode for a long time, but now it's ready to unveil its first product: a racing game featuring toy-size robotic cars controlled by iPhones. The company has raised an eye-popping $50 million from investors and says its racing game is "only the beginning."  .... '