The Robot Appreciation Thread
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Name: Asimo
Class/Type: Humanoid
Bio: Lovable four foot tall mad tight JDM robot produced by Honda. Gets all the ladies and resembles an astronaut.
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^ We have a winner. 👍
I seriously believe that Asimo is one of the coolest things ever. I've spent weeks in the past studying the research and tech that went into making him. If I ever win the lottery I'm buying an Asimo in Ferrari red.
I also think the name is great as it pays tribute to Asimov, creator of the 3 laws (+ a few more).
I've even written my own short stories based on the 3 laws and came up with one of my own, which took all of 3 months (it was a paradoxical law)!
I seriously believe that Asimo is one of the coolest things ever. I've spent weeks in the past studying the research and tech that went into making him. If I ever win the lottery I'm buying an Asimo in Ferrari red.
I also think the name is great as it pays tribute to Asimov, creator of the 3 laws (+ a few more).
I've even written my own short stories based on the 3 laws and came up with one of my own, which took all of 3 months (it was a paradoxical law)!
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And who could forget his grand appearance in Gran Turismo.
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Er...What? When? Details please?
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You can thank Famine's 'Where's WALL-E' pic for the inspiration.
Also, Problem with the laws is that many of them contradict others, for example, the mineral collecting robot in I, Robot was caught in a loop due to protecting his own existence and following a command. I'm sure there are lots of other examples too. (Haven't read it for a few years, had a copy stolen at the airport and my dad forgot to pick up a new copy when he was back in the UK so apologies for the lack of detail.)
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Laws don't contradict. The laws are very specific:
1. Do not harm a human or allow a human to come to harm.
2. Follow all orders given by humans unless they contravene the first law.
3. Protect yourself unless this contravenes the first or second law.
*Not exact, but as I recall.
Most of the situations given in the "I, Robot" collection of stories involve situations where the three laws have been altered within a robot's positronic brain. That robot was caught in a loop because the third law was strengthened to co-equal billing with the second law, since the robot was a prototype and they didn't want it destroyed. Which is why it was caught in an endless loop.
With Asimov's laws, you could theoretically talk a robot into an endless loop, but any robot programmed as such today could avoid such situations merely via fuzzy loggic.
1. Do not harm a human or allow a human to come to harm.
2. Follow all orders given by humans unless they contravene the first law.
3. Protect yourself unless this contravenes the first or second law.
*Not exact, but as I recall.
Most of the situations given in the "I, Robot" collection of stories involve situations where the three laws have been altered within a robot's positronic brain. That robot was caught in a loop because the third law was strengthened to co-equal billing with the second law, since the robot was a prototype and they didn't want it destroyed. Which is why it was caught in an endless loop.
With Asimov's laws, you could theoretically talk a robot into an endless loop, but any robot programmed as such today could avoid such situations merely via fuzzy loggic.
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There's also a Zeroth Law, in which a robot cannot allow humanity as a whole to come to harm; actually, R. Giskard Reventlov "self-developed" it when trying to understand the complex interactions that humans had for each other. Two Spacers were trying to trying to destroy Earth, but were partially foiled (they managed to accelerate the radioactivity of the entire planet) by Giskard and Daneel; it was Giskard who managed to kill both of the saboteurs, but at the expense of his own existence. Giskard transmitted the concept to Daneel, but in interests of self-preservation, he can only use it in very tangential ways, so as not to conflict with the First Law.
Of course, the Three Laws date back to (an actual) 1942, and the Zeroth Law didn't come about until 1983's Robots of Dawn, so it hasn't really been as well known. Then again, there's a Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics.
The Zeroth Law also allowed for humans to apply this methodology towards a humanity that wouldn't be a greedy, warlike, crumbling, political mess just like the First Galactic Empire; to a better understanding and mentally-equipped society that could deal with an outside threat like aliens or other unknown issues (which were otherwise never addressed in Asimov's novels).
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Ah, thermodynamics, that is something I know about and the Chinese don't -
Me: "Why is the blinking window open? The air con is on and it's 40+ outside!!! Are you trying to cool the whole of CQ?"
Cleaning lady (in some local dialect): " I thought the circulation air from the windows would help cool the room."
Me: [face palm]
Anyhow, here's another of our shiny friends.
Name: Fembot
Class/type: Seduction/ assassination humanoids
Autonomous: And sexy!
Bio: The Fembots are humanoid robots designed to seduce and kill a selected target. They resemble beautiful woman and are armed with large calibre guns which are hidden in their.... erm.......lady lumps. Although highly efficient, their main weakness is ridiculous chest hair and bad dancing.
Me: "Why is the blinking window open? The air con is on and it's 40+ outside!!! Are you trying to cool the whole of CQ?"
Cleaning lady (in some local dialect): " I thought the circulation air from the windows would help cool the room."
Me: [face palm]
Anyhow, here's another of our shiny friends.
Name: Fembot
Class/type: Seduction/ assassination humanoids
Autonomous: And sexy!
Bio: The Fembots are humanoid robots designed to seduce and kill a selected target. They resemble beautiful woman and are armed with large calibre guns which are hidden in their.... erm.......lady lumps. Although highly efficient, their main weakness is ridiculous chest hair and bad dancing.
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Name: Enforcement Droid Series 209 (ED-209)
Type: Law enforcement droid
Autonomous: Violently so. Just be certain you're nowhere near it.
Bio: An enforcement droid meant to pacify wrong-doers but was apparently programmed by a negligent moron, 209 would "wrongfully" murder an OCP employee during it's first demonstration. Standing at over 7 feet tall, 209 is the very definition of "inadequate". Although it's not the fault of the droid itself, just do us all a favor and never activate it...but should you do so then keep it away from stairs.
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I've always wondered what would have happened had Kenny not discarded it. I mean, if doing what he was told got him killed (violently) wouldn't disregarding what ED advised kept him alive?
He also could have ran and risked being shot at with pinpoint accuracy, and made his way down the stairs. Safe as safe can be...
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Name: Scutter (This one could be Bob)
Type/class: Maintenance
Autonomous: Mostly. Usually not doing what they're programmed to do.
Bio: The Skutter is a maintenance robot employed by deep space vessels for cleaning and repairs. Due to thousands of years of routine operation they seem to have broken their programming, and have developed a liking for John Wayne. They also seem to have very little regard for human beings.
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Name: NTX
Type/class: Self assembly kit.
Autonomous: Semi, with the right programming.
Bio: The NXT 2.0 is an amateur robotics kit developed by Lego. The kit features lego's famous construction beams alongside the 'NTX' brick, essentially a micro-computer featuring several USB ports for plugging in sensors. It comes with a guide for building a few different bots or the constructor is able to use their imagination and create other things. Auxiliaries consist of: light sensors, colour sensors, sound sensors, touch sensors, linear actuators and motors.
Syntax error
Staff Emeritus
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Name: EngKey
Type: Korean elementary school teacher robot
Autonomous: No. Remotely controlled from the Philippines
Bio: 29 of these have been deployed in 19 elementary schools across Korea. Engkey is a telepresence bot, controlled by teachers in the Philippines. It has two-way video and audio for interaction with students, and can move its arms around to make a point.According to a New York Times report, state education budgets have been strained by importing thousands of foreign teachers, who are increasingly unwilling to live in remote areas and on islands. And yes you are seeing that correctly, that is indeed Emma Watson's face on the screen.
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What? Which schools here are running those things?
I think I might want a talk with the manufacturer... we sure could use a few of those to run our projects in Vietnam and China!
Lots of Asian countries come to the Philippines for English teaching. Pretty good business to be in, here.
I think I might want a talk with the manufacturer... we sure could use a few of those to run our projects in Vietnam and China!
Lots of Asian countries come to the Philippines for English teaching. Pretty good business to be in, here.
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Check this out too. 👍
I've read about those. I even mentioned them to our managers for a laugh (they'd put me out of a job if they crop up in CQ). They're an interesting concept but from knowing the inside ous of language teaching and being in the industry I can honestly say nothing beats a real person in the flesh. Yet.
There's a similar problem in China where English language schools are finding it more and more difficult to find English speakers with the ability to teach, and then the further trouble of getting them a visa which is really difficult. Because of this the institution I work with will only employ Caucasian native speakers, and, as much as I've argued with them, consider Philippines nationals out of the question! (Racist, I know, but it's China. What can one do?)
I've given tele-present classes before to VIP students in other provinces but it's been through a projector and web cam, not a robot.
It's a nice idea, in theory, and being the robot nut I am have even looked into building a Wi-Fi based remotely operated tele-presents platform to give lessons to my regular classes even when I'm running training programs in other provinces.
It's a relatively straight forward idea, I have the plans from other peoples designs (instructables.com) to modify for my own needs, all I'd need would be some construction materials, e.g. PVC pipe, a wireless router with a good connection to the school's, an NXT kit/ servomotors,cheap laptop running a virtual remote desktop program iPhones (got a few spare) and a web cam and speakers on both ends.
In theory it's simple. In the cold light of day I don't have the funds or time to put this together as a personal project. I'm great with hardware and the mechanicals (building) but I can't program or use software for toffee. I've got tech guys who could help out but I'm looking at $700 easily, and that's by Chinese prices, which is more than I can afford from my own pocket for a prototype model. I've got bigger priorities like buying a new road bike!
I've read about those. I even mentioned them to our managers for a laugh (they'd put me out of a job if they crop up in CQ). They're an interesting concept but from knowing the inside ous of language teaching and being in the industry I can honestly say nothing beats a real person in the flesh. Yet.
There's a similar problem in China where English language schools are finding it more and more difficult to find English speakers with the ability to teach, and then the further trouble of getting them a visa which is really difficult. Because of this the institution I work with will only employ Caucasian native speakers, and, as much as I've argued with them, consider Philippines nationals out of the question! (Racist, I know, but it's China. What can one do?)
I've given tele-present classes before to VIP students in other provinces but it's been through a projector and web cam, not a robot.
It's a nice idea, in theory, and being the robot nut I am have even looked into building a Wi-Fi based remotely operated tele-presents platform to give lessons to my regular classes even when I'm running training programs in other provinces.
It's a relatively straight forward idea, I have the plans from other peoples designs (instructables.com) to modify for my own needs, all I'd need would be some construction materials, e.g. PVC pipe, a wireless router with a good connection to the school's, an NXT kit/ servomotors,
In theory it's simple. In the cold light of day I don't have the funds or time to put this together as a personal project. I'm great with hardware and the mechanicals (building) but I can't program or use software for toffee. I've got tech guys who could help out but I'm looking at $700 easily, and that's by Chinese prices, which is more than I can afford from my own pocket for a prototype model. I've got bigger priorities like buying a new road bike!
