Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Robots Assimilate Into Cockroach Society

Posted by Zonk on from the good-to-see-the-robots-making-new-friends dept.

sufijazz writes "Scientists have gotten tiny robots to not only integrate into cockroach society but also control it. 'This experiment in bug peer pressure combined entomology, robotics and the study of ways that complex and even intelligent patterns can arise from simple behavior. Animal behavior research shows that swarms working together can prosper where individuals might fail, and robotics researchers have been experimenting with simple robots that, together, act a little like a swarm.' The BBC also has a video story on this."

107 comments

  1. Wait, so... by jcr · · Score: 4, Funny

    They sent robots to Hollywood?

    -jcr

    --
    The only title of honor that a tyrant can grant is "Enemy of the State."
    1. Re:Wait, so... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Only the ones that didn't go to the White House

  2. Let's get this out of the way. by nuclearpenguins · · Score: 1, Funny

    I, for one, welcome our new robotic insect overlords.

    --
    Anonymous Coward: "This is slashdot. Accuracy is second class citizen here, unlike King Bias."
    1. Re:Let's get this out of the way. by sznupi · · Score: 1

      Wait, would that mean you're a cockroach?

      (hmm...as close to safely call somebody "cock" on /. as it gets?)

      --
      One that hath name thou can not otter
    2. Re:Let's get this out of the way. by blantonl · · Score: 0, Redundant

      Imagine a Beowulf Cluster of these. And just imagine if they ran Linux.

      Imagine recompiling a roach's kernel. Now that is pretty creepy.. or cool.

      --
      Lindsay Blanton
      RadioReference.com
    3. Re:Let's get this out of the way. by edwardpickman · · Score: 1

      Do they still qualify as Overlords if I can squish them under my foot like their cockroach cousins?

    4. Re:Let's get this out of the way. by Dusty101 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      If we can now, indirectly control them, shouldn't read:

      "I, for one, welcome our new insect minions"?

    5. Re:Let's get this out of the way. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I, as a human, welcome our new robotic pied piper overlords.

    6. Re:Let's get this out of the way. by foreverpuppy · · Score: 1

      ..for now.

    7. Re:Let's get this out of the way. by killmofasta · · Score: 1

      Oh DEAR FREAKING GOD!

      ok... That was FUNNY. Actually, for obligitory jokes, that was the best in weeks!

  3. My experience by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Is that people in academia that work on robotics are much like cockroaches.

  4. Hey!! We are *NOT* a cockroach society! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    I resent that you characterize our society as "cockroach". Geez, just because the robots were able to assimilate and blend in --I mean, it really did look exactly like Cindy Margolis-- how were we supposed to know that she was a robot!

    And besides, the article says ... actually, I haven't read the article yet ... hang on, let me read this ... oh, umm ...

    Er, never mind.

    1. Re:Hey!! We are *NOT* a cockroach society! by billius · · Score: 1
      From another article:

      They are very kind, not aggressive and they don't bite.
      Given my experience on a FIRST robotics team back in high school, robotics people aren't like that at all :p
    2. Re:Hey!! We are *NOT* a cockroach society! by agent_no.82 · · Score: 1

      Would you say that "They are just a bit disgusting?"

    3. Re:Hey!! We are *NOT* a cockroach society! by GodGell · · Score: 1
      FTA:

      Dr. Halloy and his colleagues worked with roaches because their societies are simple, egalitarian and democratic, with none of the social stratification seen in some other insect societies -- no queen bees, no worker ants. "Cockroaches are not like that," Dr. Halloy said. "They live all together." Indeed, it does not sound like our society at all.
      --
      [SHOW SOME LENIENCY TOWARDS ... I mean, FUCK BETA] Eat. Survive. Reproduce. GOTO 10
    4. Re:Hey!! We are *NOT* a cockroach society! by Grant29 · · Score: 1

      What do you mean?

      --
      Local Broadband Service

  5. No, not overlords by TheMeuge · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I am not going to go to the obligatory "robotic overlords" reference, except to note that in human society, a determined and united groups of individuals have caused masses of people to perform actions that contradict their instincts, common sense, or any boundaries and taboos set by their parent societies.

    One conclusion one can draw from this study, coupled with historical precedent in human societies, is that animals come evolutionary pre-programmed to join groups and be subjugated by the rules of said groups, despite better (or alternate) judgment.

    1. Re:No, not overlords by turing_m · · Score: 4, Interesting

      "...is that animals come evolutionary pre-programmed to join groups"

      Depends on the animal. In social animals, yes. In others (e.g. tigers, bears, moose, spiders), communication will be restricted to mating rituals and that sort of thing. Those methods of communication can of course be mimicked and often are by other species (or sub-species) for their own gain. e.g. orchids and insect mating behavior, moths with "eyes" on their wings etc.

      --
      If I have seen further it is by stealing the Intellectual Property of giants.
    2. Re:No, not overlords by GaryOlson · · Score: 4, Funny

      ...united groups of individuals have caused masses of people to perform actions that contradict their instincts, common sense...
      Why did I think of the user interface for Microsoft Office 2003 when I read that?
      --
      Every mans' island needs an ocean; choose your ocean carefully.
    3. Re:No, not overlords by jd · · Score: 2, Funny

      Damn, you can't fit lions before tigers and bears because they're social. Gah! Talk about life not imitating art.

      --
      It's a small world and it smells funny; I'd buy another if it wasn't for the money; Take back what I paid (SoM)
    4. Re:No, not overlords by somersault · · Score: 0

      Yeah, I can just imagine the robots trying to get the cockroaches to smoke - "come on.. all the cool roaches are doing it.."

      --
      which is totally what she said
    5. Re:No, not overlords by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Exactly! He didn't steal the election.

    6. Re:No, not overlords by Kingrames · · Score: 3, Funny

      "I am not going to go to the obligatory "robotic overlords" reference"
      Good! I'm sick of that meme.

      I, for one, welcome our new non-obligatory overlord referencing overlords. ...shit.

      --
      If you can read this, I forgot to post anonymously.
    7. Re:No, not overlords by complete+loony · · Score: 1

      Oh My!

      --
      09F91102 no, 455FE104 nope, F190A1E8 uh-uh, 7A5F8A09 that's not it, C87294CE no. Ah! 452F6E403CDF10714E41DFAA257D313F.
  6. So does that mean by evanbd · · Score: 4, Funny

    That when the humans and the robots destroy each other in a nuclear war, it will be up to the cockroaches to continue the battle against the robot cockroaches?

    1. Re:So does that mean by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Ah, a smart and witty comment that got me laughing. I don't have mod points and apparently those who do lept at the chance to give the predictable and tired "overlords" joke first crack, but kudos to you sir anyways for trying.

  7. Pied Piper anyone? by cp.tar · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I wonder, if robots can actually control swarms, could we perhaps make them lead the swarms not to world domination, but to some sort of... mishap?

    There's gotta be some way to get rid of them.

    --
    Ignore this signature. By order.
    1. Re:Pied Piper anyone? by QuantumG · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Yes, that's what the research showed.. the cockroaches will follow the robots 60% of the time. RTFA.

      More interesting, I thought, was that the researchers seemed pissed off when the journalists asked the kind of "how would you apply this?" questions that you just asked.

      --
      How we know is more important than what we know.
    2. Re:Pied Piper anyone? by GaryOlson · · Score: 1

      Mishap -- this is the definition of the US Congress. No, no method exists to get rid of them. They refuse to swarm in any useful organized fashion.

      --
      Every mans' island needs an ocean; choose your ocean carefully.
    3. Re:Pied Piper anyone? by cyphercell · · Score: 1

      I like your sig, is it in the firehose?

      --
      Under the influence of Post-Cyberpunk Gonzo Journalism
    4. Re:Pied Piper anyone? by timeOday · · Score: 4, Funny

      the cockroaches will follow the robots 60% of the time.
      My cat will follow a ball of yarn 90% of the time.
    5. Re:Pied Piper anyone? by MrNaz · · Score: 2, Funny

      Slashdotters will make up statistics based upon wildly inaccurate supposition and blatantly false assumptions 100% of the time.

      --
      I hate printers.
    6. Re:Pied Piper anyone? by Headw1nd · · Score: 1

      Well, the thing I thought was the strangest about the article is that apparently the roaches followed the robots 60% of the time, but "The other 40 percent of the time, the robotic roaches succumbed to peer pressure and headed for the darkest place."

      So, at best, we can lead the roaches to their doom three out of five times, but the remaining 40% of our attempts will inadvertently augment their swarms with indestructible biodroids.

    7. Re:Pied Piper anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That was exactly my thought. If the robot roach can lead them to an extermination trap, and you just recycle the robot, you could soon clear out infestations. If the robot can be carried into the nest and then dispense poison, again the nest can be destroyed. I wonder if you can make a robot larvae and have it carried back home.

    8. Re:Pied Piper anyone? by robomon · · Score: 1

      Yes, that's what the research showed.. the cockroaches will follow the robots 60% of the time. RTFA.


      They sprayed a bunch of robots with "sex hormones" and they are surprised that some of the cockroaches followed them? It was probably a female sex hormone and the 60% that followed were male cockroaches.

  8. That is certainly a dark thought by einhverfr · · Score: 1

    If you remember the pied piper story, it ended with the piper leading all the children of the town away to the mountain, where it closed after them. If it can be done with pests, are you saying we should think about the possibility it can be done with children too?

    --

    LedgerSMB: Open source Accounting/ERP
  9. Mulder... by harrypelles · · Score: 1

    "Mulder... What are we doing here?"

  10. oblig by AlgorithMan · · Score: 1

    do they run linux?

    --
    The MAFIAA is a bunch of mindless jerks who will be the first up against the wall when the revolution comes
    1. Re:oblig by Tatisimo · · Score: 1

      With such low capacity they must have, you'll need a beowulf cluster of those.

      --
      Give Kashyyyk back to the Wookies
  11. This... by ale_ryu · · Score: 5, Funny

    May be the only case in which the phrase "it's not a bug, it's a feature!" is not applicable... or is it?

    --
    Check out my blog!
    1. Re:This... by harrypelles · · Score: 1

      Man, I wish I could mod this +100 Funny.

    2. Re:This... by nebaz · · Score: 1

      That's only because your robotic cockroach overlord wishes so too.

      --
      Rhymes that keep their secrets will unfold behind the clouds.There upon the rainbow is the answer to a neverending story
  12. Despite the Humorous Overtoans, this is Amazing by zibix · · Score: 0

    The fact that we've integrated a robot into another species strikes me as the most amazing scientific project I've heard of in years. We need to push this to it's limit. Like mammals for example.

    1. Re:Despite the Humorous Overtoans, this is Amazing by TapeCutter · · Score: 2, Interesting

      "We need to push this to it's limit. Like mammals for example."

      I worked on a dairy farm for a while that had ~100 cows. At milking time the farmer would swing open the gate and walk off into the milking shed, seeing the open gate the (old) dog would trot out and round up the cows by itself. Often there wasn't much for it to do other than stroll along behind the herd because the cows also knew the drill. Not sure how the cows knew what time it was since none of them were wearing watches but they would often gather near the gate just before 3:00 in the afternoon and wait patiently for it to be opened.

      It's a neat trick with the robots but I can't see them replacing working dogs and cooperative herds of mammals any day soon, especially since 40% of the time the robots followed the roaches behaviour rather than the other way round.

      --
      And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? - Pink Floyd.
    2. Re:Despite the Humorous Overtoans, this is Amazing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      They just rounded the cockroaches up, like working dogs round up sheep, just like my radio control car rounds up my dog. We just need to build a big robot to run around hearding whatever we want. If they resist, we can create robots that push and shove.... PAK CHOOIE UNF.

    3. Re:Despite the Humorous Overtoans, this is Amazing by dcollins · · Score: 1

      "Not sure how the cows knew what time it was since none of them were wearing watches but they would often gather near the gate just before 3:00 in the afternoon and wait patiently for it to be opened."

      That's easy -- their udders are full. Kind of like how you know it's time to go to the bathroom. (I've had the dog's job in a milking operation.)

      --
      We know where leadership by an anti-intellectual "strongman" who scapegoats minorities and likes boisterous rallies goes
    4. Re:Despite the Humorous Overtoans, this is Amazing by TapeCutter · · Score: 2, Funny

      "I've had the dog's job in a milking operation."

      I was hired to spend a month or so hacking down thistles[sic] in the pasture, I was at least two promotions away from the dog's job. :)

      --
      And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? - Pink Floyd.
    5. Re:Despite the Humorous Overtoans, this is Amazing by tenco · · Score: 1

      Well, how do you know that it's peeing time?

  13. Simple... by jshriverWVU · · Score: 1

    Freaking sweet!... while this might seem small. It's a first step in making synthetic life that can integrate into a real biosystem.

    1. Re:Simple... by binarybum · · Score: 2, Insightful

      umm, no. the first time that happened was when the doll was invented, and it's been going on ever since.

      --
      ôó
  14. We're not interested in people. by gv250 · · Score: 5, Funny
    From TFA:

    The results also apply only to cockroaches, Dr. Halloy said. "We are not interested in people," he said.
    He programmed his robot to play with his cockroaches, and he is not interested in people. Sounds like a /. reader to me.
  15. but can't you see the tiny robots? by xPsi · · Score: 2, Funny

    Scientists have gotten tiny robots to not only integrate into cockroach society but also control it So I guess (except for the cockroach part) it's a lot like life in the United States
    --
    i\hbar\dot{\psi}=\hat{H}\psi
  16. Mark Tilden has been doing this for a while by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BEAM_robotics

    Mark Tilden demonstrated approx. fifteen years ago that very simple robots would behave exactly like insects. The important thing he found was that it wasn't necessary to have very much computing power. Insects don't have very much after all. Insect behavior is a combination of environment + mechanics + minimal processing.

    Anyone doing this kind of work really should be familiar with what Tilden has done.

    1. Re:Mark Tilden has been doing this for a while by iron-kurton · · Score: 1

      Hey, thanks for the link. I am becoming more and more interested in swarm intelligence, and am thinking of doing my master's project in this field. I found your link extremely interesting, and a good place to start (aside from Kennedy and Eberhart's Swarm Intelligence http://www.swarmintelligence.org/SIBook/SI.php).

      --
      Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine -- Robert C. Gallagher
    2. Re:Mark Tilden has been doing this for a while by stonecypher · · Score: 1

      Anyone doing this kind of work really should be familiar with what Tilden has done.
      You seem to have missed the point. The new research isn't about group behavior as a legitimate emergent effect of simple rules; that's well known. The new research is about demonstrating that the effect not only is in fact in practice specifically in cockroaches, but that the system of the cockroach can be understood and manipulated with simple tools. It's one thing to show that it's possible. It's another thing entirely to demonstrate an operating case, and to understand it well enough to dominate it. If anything, this is the ratification of the work you're indicating.
      --
      StoneCypher is Full of BS
  17. Get the cockroaches out of the house! by Simonetta · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    So, ahh, after all this research, do they have a program that will actually get the robot cockroaches to lead the bio-roaches OUT of the house? Or into a poison trap where they can all be killed?

        I used to live in New Orleans. They have cockroaches there that are as big as your finger. They hang out on light bulbs. When you turn on a light in a dark room, you learn to put your hand in front of your face because the instant light causes the giant roaches to blast off the light bulb and often right at your face.

        Killing these roaches by the hundreds of thousands would really improve the quality of life. Along with getting the carcinogens out of the drinking water, making the levees stronger, and a whole lot of other things.

        Still getting a fleet of robot cockroaches to lead bio-roaches to their doom somehow would be wonderful. Then we can start to work on the termites and the rats, then the republicans and the Klan.

  18. Usefull application: controlling locust swarm by slashdotmsiriv · · Score: 1

    It is not that unlikely that a few thousand locust-like robots would be able to change the direction of huge locust swarms.

  19. Cocked Roaches and Buggery!? by davidsyes · · Score: 3, Funny

    So, will they command it to bugger the bugs they bugged? I guess it will bug the shit out of them... real buggery-like...

    Sounds kinda... insectstuous....

    Watch out for mating season. This is the REAL widow-maker. Exoskeleton-crushing sex....from a real sex-bot... I wonder how endowed this bugger is...

    --
    Previously: "Linux... Toward the Sunrise..." Now: "Linux... Toward the-- No, now, part of Every Sunrise"
  20. Androids amongst us by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Just like 'reality'. Androids leading the humans.

  21. Bender did that kind of thing too... or will do by barwasp · · Score: 2, Funny

    Yes, the Futurama - news channel has a full coverage of a similar story.

    1. Re:Bender did that kind of thing too... or will do by dgatwood · · Score: 1

      He also did that with space bees, sort of. Bzz bzz bzzzt. Bender is great. Deal with it.

      --

      Check out my sci-fi/humor trilogy at PatriotsBooks.

  22. BBC Video by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "The BBC also has a video story on this"

    Where the link goes to Yahoo and says its only available to certain areas :(

    This seems to be the actual BBC article and video:

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7097267.stm

  23. Fire up the antennae... by davidsyes · · Score: 1

    Cuz when the championship sexbot arrives on scene, it can signal:

    You... will... be... ass-immolate...

    --
    Previously: "Linux... Toward the Sunrise..." Now: "Linux... Toward the-- No, now, part of Every Sunrise"
  24. Squishing roaches by CustomDesigned · · Score: 3, Funny

    Do they still qualify as Overlords if I can squish them under my foot like their cockroach cousins? You can squish *lots* of them, but not all of their teeming millions before they eat you alive.
    1. Re:Squishing roaches by stonecypher · · Score: 1

      You can squish *lots* of them, but not all of their teeming millions before they eat you alive.
      So become a tool-using mammal.
      --
      StoneCypher is Full of BS
  25. The original experiment.... by blind+monkey+3 · · Score: 0

    was aimed at less intelligent life forms than cockroaches but I hear the robots refused to associate with the lawyers and politicians.

    --
    BM3
  26. This. by Eco-Mono · · Score: 1

    Venser admired his handiwork and smiled. His first prototype had joined with the hive mind all too well, running with the brood and becoming a predator itself. This one, he thought, would be accepted into the hive but still obey his commands.

    --
    (rot13) rpbzbab@tznvy.pbz
  27. So... by Kjella · · Score: 3, Insightful

    ...does this mean that the robots have passed the Turing test for cockroaches? I guess probably not yet, but if we can create robots that can act like the real thing - well that's pretty much the definition of it isn't it?

    --
    Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
  28. Good by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I for one welcome our robotic overlords.

  29. I for one by Culture20 · · Score: 1

    I for one welcome the Cockroach's robotic overlords.
    Can you think of an easier way to get all the roaches into a Roach Motel?

    1. Re:I for one by Lordplatypus · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      I would assume the easiest way to get the roaches into a Motel would be Female Robotic Roaches. At least for a few minutes anyways.

      --
      Diplomacy is the art of saying, 'Nice doggie!' till you can find a rock.-- Wynn Catlin
  30. Pest control by SKPhoton · · Score: 1

    They can control cockroach societies, eh? Hopefully they can have the robots train the cockroaches to commit seppuku.

    1. Re:Pest control by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Sure they can but only the japanese roaches...

  31. Big headline simple bottomline by kyashan · · Score: 5, Funny

    Mentioning robots evokes AI, but the key is that those carts are doused with cockroach sex hormones.
    Show me a girl with a miniskirt and over knee stockings and I'll follow her not 60% but 100% of the times.

    --
    "La presi e te la pagai (480.000 Lire)"
    1. Re:Big headline simple bottomline by LrdDimwit · · Score: 1

      The glowing red eyes wouldn't bother you any? My, what big ears you have, baby ...

    2. Re:Big headline simple bottomline by roman_mir · · Score: 1

      So either the 40% of the roaches are gay, straight women or happily married (if there is such a thing.)

      --
      You can't handle the truth.
  32. I Am Cockroach of Borg... by morari · · Score: 3, Funny

    Lower your exoskeletons and surrender your motels. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile.

    --
    "He who can destroy a thing, controls a thing." --Paul Atreides, Dune
  33. Overheard underneath the stove by StreetStealth · · Score: 5, Funny

    (translated from pheromone language)

    Cockroach A: "I have this theory. About our new leader."

    Cockroach B: "This had better not be another one of your retarded colony conspiracies."

    Cockroach A: "Well... I don't think he's cockroach. In fact, I have reason to believe he's a robot. Put here by highly intelligent beings for some bizarre purpose... Maybe to lead us all to destruction. Maybe as a test. I don't know. But have you seen him? I mean, with your own compound eyes?"

    Cockroach B: "..."

    --
    Your mind is clear / The things that you fear / Will fade with how much you / Believe what you hear
    1. Re:Overheard underneath the stove by Garabito · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      Damn! Where are my mod points when I need them?

    2. Re:Overheard underneath the stove by agent_no.82 · · Score: 1

      "I have reason to believe he's a robot. Put here...to lead us all to destruction."
      So he's a cylon?

    3. Re:Overheard underneath the stove by ross.w · · Score: 1

      Yes, but does the robot cockroach know it's a robot cockroach? And is the cockroach sent to kill it really a cockroach, or just another robot?

      --
      If my call is important, why am I talking to a recording?
    4. Re:Overheard underneath the stove by 4D6963 · · Score: 2, Funny

      Damn! Where are my mod points when I need them?

      There, someone gave you one, I only hope it was an Offtopic mod point you required ;-)

      --
      You just got troll'd!
    5. Re:Overheard underneath the stove by roman_mir · · Score: 1

      You have created a perfect analogy, I am almost certain you have done this on purpose.

      Is Bush really a human?

      --
      You can't handle the truth.
  34. "Tiny robots integrate into cockroach society..." by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    so the next logical step is to see if they would be accepted into lawfirms, such as Dewey, Cheatem, and Howe.

  35. Required.... by CFD339 · · Score: 0, Redundant

    I, for one, welcome our new robotic insectoid swarm controlling overlords.

    --
    The problem with quotes on the internet, is that nobody bothers to check their veracity. -- Abraham Lincoln
  36. MOD PARENT UP by LrdDimwit · · Score: 2, Funny

    All the other cockroaches are doing it.

  37. fail by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    How am I supposed to be offended by a picture if I can't even tell what the fuck it is? Better luck next time.

  38. A new overlords record! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Using 'find' got eleven hits for 'overlord' on this page, as of 11/16 11:00PM EST.

  39. Do they have salami in Brussels? by memorycardfull · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I don't see how the experiment described in the NYT story demonstrated anything other than cockroaches prefer dark places that smell like sex. The robots are "doused" with sex hormones. The way the experiment is presented presupposes that the hormones function to identify the robots as cockroaches to the other roaches. The conclusions drawn in the article present the behavior of the roaches in going where the robots are as imitation of peer behavior. The action of the robots is described as leading the others. It seems to me that the roaches' behavior is more simply explained by attraction to the sex hormones on the robots. Seems to me the experiment just proves that some roaches will abandon a dark hiding place for sexytime, but I am not an entomologist. I make sandwiches. I bet you would get very similar results if instead of using sex hormones, you rubbed a slice of salami on the robots. Do they have salami in Brussels? They should try it.

  40. All those 70's animal horror movies true? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Wow here it is 30 years later after a whole genre of 70's animal swarm horror movies are now that much scarier. You know, like Frogs, Squirm! and such.

  41. Insecthack by WK2 · · Score: 1

    Somebody should tag this article insecthack.

    --
    Write your own Choose Your Own Adventure. http://www.freegameengines.org/gamebook-engine/
  42. Do they welcome their robotic overlords? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    One has to wonder... do the cockroaches welcome their robotic overlords?

  43. Maybe this experiment could be extended .. by Lord+Accium · · Score: 1

    On Nov 06, there was a story about a robot being treated as a peer by toddlers. If this experiment was repeated with children, maybe the robots will learn to influence them. Heres the link to that story : http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/11/06/2018230

  44. Pseudo-sentience by hyades1 · · Score: 1

    "This experiment in bug peer pressure combined entomology, robotics and the study of ways that complex and even intelligent patterns can arise from simple behavior."

    They could have reached the same conclusions a lot easier simply by studying Congress. And fewer people would be upset if they sacrificed the subjects at the end of the study.

    --
    I've calculated my velocity with such exquisite precision that I have no idea where I am.
    1. Re:Pseudo-sentience by memorycardfull · · Score: 1

      Lobbyists are like robots with doused with money instead of sex hormones.

  45. Nearly perfect by Bearhouse · · Score: 1

    "I, for one, welcome our new non-obligatory overlord referencing overlords....oh wait"

    There, fixed that for you.

  46. Noam Chomsky- Manufacturing Consent by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Noam Chomsky has been making this observation in human behavior for many years, as described in the book Manufacturing Consent.

  47. Skewed by Oligonicella · · Score: 1

    The fact that they used sex hormones makes the results skewed at best. Give me the sex hormone used and the percentage of opposites that followed. Better yet, don't use sex hormones at all, just cockroach body odor and see what happens.

  48. So, If I was a coackroach.... by Marcos+Eliziario · · Score: 1

    So, If I was a coackroach, I should be welcoming my new robotic overlords by now?

    --
    Your ad could be here!
  49. where by cachimaster · · Score: 1

    "WHERE IS SARAH CONNOR"

  50. The robot is hot! by bar-agent · · Score: 1

    The article says they "doused the robot in eau de cockroach sex hormones."

    I do believe that would make the robot smell all sexy.

    Would you do stupid things for a hot chick? I know I would! Bungee-jumping off a cliff would be the least of it.

    --
    i'd hit it so hard, if you pulled me out you'd be the king of britain [bash.org]
  51. Because you have not seen MS Office 2007? by someone1234 · · Score: 1

    It definitely trumps msoffice 2003 UI in uselessness.

    --
    Patents Drive Free Software as Hurricanes Drive Construction Industry
  52. OMG they found it.... by ebbomega · · Score: 1

    Finally, they've developed a robot that can do what Aquaman does, only MORE useless.

    --
    Karma: Non-Heinous