Storytelling, mythology, and legends have always influenced the scientific mind. There are some spectacular examples of inventions inspired by fiction, including the first cell phone, created by Engineer Martin Cooper after seeing the Star Trek communicator; or the first functioning submarine (the Argonaut), designed by Engineer Simon Lake after reading Jules Verne's Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. So when it comes to the invention of Robots, Androids, and Artificial Intelligence, artistic imagination is just as important as science. Stories featuring fantastic machines have existed for thousands of years. Ancient myths portrayed the creators of such automata as preternatural sorcerers, wizards, alchemists, or artisan gods. The Greek god Hephaestus forged an array of magic weapons from gold, ivory, or bronze for the gods and heroes; a silver bow and quiver of arrows for Artemis, a golden chariot for Apollo, a shield for Achilles, a spear for Athena, and a breastplate for Hercules. He also created artificial life; bronze bulls, fire-breathing horses, golden … [Read more...] about Storytelling in the Age of Robots, Androids, and Artificial Intelligence
Robot Revolution
Robots who heal. Robots who kill. Robots who love. Robots that swim, crawl, fly, swarm, spy or morph into other kinds of robots. The robot revolution has arrived and we are collectively watching the very beginning of what will be a seachange in technology. Scientists are quantifying and reproducing our intellect and our senses; breaking down the components of taste, touch, hearing, sight and even thought. We are seeing the very beginning of a robot revolution where A.I. will communicate, learn and adapt to humanity to meet our emotional needs. And in the process, change us completely. By observing the natural world, roboticists are designing machines that mimic birds, butterflies, dragonflies, snakes, jellyfish and octopus. Those machines could innocently vacuum your house, defuse a bomb or assassinate a troublesome enemy. In your home, robots will be available to cook, comfort, converse, teach and make love to you. They will strain the imaginations of scientists and futurists as they upend economics, job markets and social traditions. Robots will transform … [Read more...] about Robot Revolution
