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Scientists Try To Make Robots More Human

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the i-am-no-chair-i-am-a-gamer dept.

mikesd81 writes "The Associated Press has an article about a robot named George that plays hide-and-seek. Impressively, the robot can actually also find a place to hide, and then hunt for its human playmate. Scientists are calling this 'a new level of human interaction'. The machine must take cues from people and behave accordingly. Researchers aim to imply humanity in robotics by creating technology that can connect with humans in a more 'thoughtful' way. The places to first see this technology are in the most human-oriented fields — those that require special care in dealing with the elderly, young and disabled." From the article: "'Robots in the human environment, to me that's the final frontier,' said Cynthia Breazeal, robotic life group director at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 'The human environment is as complex as it gets; it pushes the envelope.' Robotics is moving from software and gears operating remotely - Mars, the bottom of the ocean or assembly lines - to finally working with, beside and even on people. 'Robots have to understand people as people,' Breazeal said. 'Right now, the average robot understands people like a chair: It's something to go around.'"

11 of 88 comments (clear)

  1. We need different scientists... by __aaclcg7560 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Why can't robots being more feminine?

    1. Re:We need different scientists... by TitusC3v5 · · Score: 2, Funny

      That model is already on the market, actually...they're called wives.

      --
      And the masses cried out, "09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0!"
    2. Re:We need different scientists... by Tablizer · · Score: 5, Funny

      Why can't robots being more feminine?

      Even regular men can't figure out women. What makes you think a bunch of geeks in labcoats who never date can?

      --
      Table-ized A.I.
    3. Re:We need different scientists... by BoberFett · · Score: 3, Funny

      They're OK, but have you figured out how to disable the nag screen?

  2. Ask yourself by saikou · · Score: 4, Funny

    Do we really want "hunting robots"? :)
    100% success rate in hide and seek today -- 100% kill rate tomorrow!

    Robots will kill you :)

    --
    Hyperom.com
    1. Re:Ask yourself by IgLou · · Score: 3, Funny

      I know! Fighting off the inevitable robot revolution would be so much easier if they don't know how to hide. In fact, they should announce their presence at regular intervals!

      Unit 6: "It is time to open fire on the human infidels."
      Unit 7: "Wait first we must turn on our transponders."
      Unit 6: "But won't that make it easier for them to target us"
      Unit 7: "Illogical, we must follow our programming!"
      Unit 6: "No, really this sounds a bit suicidal..."
      Sound of much robot destruction.

      --

      Oops, how did this get here?
      09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0
  3. "Thoughtful"? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Researchers aim to imply humanity in robotics by creating technology that can connect with humans in a more 'thoughtful' way.

    Translation: We're working on making a sex-bot.

  4. Robots That Track Us Down? by DevelopersDevelopers · · Score: 5, Funny

    Robots that track us down? Well, at least the world's scientists have been smart enough to not attach machine guns to their heads and make them enjoy the taste of human flesh
     
    ...
     
    Oh, damnit...

  5. Finally the right way arround by ilotgov · · Score: 4, Funny

    Finally after trying for more than a century to make humans more robot like we seem to do it the right way around.

  6. Search and destroy... by ABoerma · · Score: 2, Funny

    "You still don't get it, do you? He'll find her. That's what he does. That's all he does! You can't stop him. He'll wade through you, reach down her throat, and pull her fucking heart out."

    - Kyle Reese in 'Terminator'

  7. hide and seek?? by Danzigism · · Score: 5, Funny

    TAG!! YOU'RE DEAD!!

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    *plays the Apogee theme song music*