AI/Transhumanism Update
Emotional robot has empathy, understands your frustration.
Engadget (2008-07-18) -- The Feelix Growing project in Europe is developing software that enables robots to understand how a person is feeling based on their facial expressions.
engadget.com
Where Are They? Why I hope the search for extraterrestrial life finds nothing.
Technology Review (2008-05) -- Nick Bostrom, the director of the Future of Humanity Institute at the University of Oxford, explains why it is much better for the future of humanity that life is not found on Mars or elsewhere in the universe.
technologyreview.com
Superhumans Possible via Designer Cloning
Live Science (2008-04-14) -- A recently developed technique that might eventually produce facsimiles of human embryonic stem cells from skin cells has opened up the possibility of creating chimera humans.
livescience.com
Computer Taught to Recognize Attractiveness in Women
Science Daily (2008-04-05) -- Computers have moved beyond simple facial recognition an into the arena of aesthetic judgement, via new software developed by scientists from Tel Aviv University.
sciencedaily.com
Eight tips to dramatically improve your chances of living forever
Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies (2008-04-02) -- The author presents eight ideas to help you live to the point where the process of aging can be overcome (negligible senescence). Most ideas are somewhat common sense (avoid dangerous habits), but putting them in the context of life extension may underscore their importance.
ieet.org
Virtual pets can learn just like babies
New Scientist (2008-03-28) -- Novamente's virtual pet was presented at the First Conference on Artificial General Intelligence at the University of Memphis in Tennessee earlier this month. Planned to be released in Second Life later this year, the synthetic character, controlled by an AI program, responds to commands like natural pets, but purportedly will be able to be taught to do almost anything.
newscientist.com
First Humanoid Robot That Will Develop Language May Be Coming Soon
ScienceDaily (2008-03-04) -- iCub, a one metre-high baby robot which will be used to study how a robot could quickly pick up language skills, will be available next year. ITALK aims to teach the robot to speak by employing the same methods used by parents to teach their children. Robotics specialists will conduct experiments in human and robot language interaction to enable the robot to converse with humans.
sciencedaily.com
Robots Enter Japan's Daily Life
CNN (2008-03-03) -- For Japan, the robotics revolution is an imperative. With more than a fifth of the population 65 or older, the country is banking on robots to replenish the work force and care for the elderly...
cnn.com
Killer Military Robots Pose Latest Threat To Humanity, Robotics Expert Warns
ScienceDaily (2008-02-28) -- A robotics expert has issued stark warnings over the threat posed to humanity by new robot weapons being developed by powers worldwide. He expressed concerns that we are beginning to see the first steps towards an international robot arms race. He will warn that it may not be long before robots become a standard terrorist weapon to replace the suicide bomber.
sciencedaily.com
'V-Frog' Virtual-Reality Frog Dissection Software Offers First True Physical Simulation
ScienceDaily (2008-02-21) -- V-Frog, the world's first virtual-reality-based frog dissection software designed for biology education -- allowing not mere observation, but physically simulated dissection -- has been developed. V-Frog, which operates on a personal computer using a standard mouse, actually simulates nearly unlimited manipulation of specimen tissue. As a result, every dissection is different, reflecting each student's individual work. The software is designed for grades 7 through 12, plus advanced placement biology students.
sciencedaily.com
