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Researchers Create Vomiting Robot To Analyze Contagions
iComp points out an interesting project in Derbyshire, northern England. "Bioboffins at the Health and Safety Laboratory in Derbyshire, UK, have developed a robot that can projectile vomit on command as a tool for studying the spread of the highly infectious norovirus. Reuters reports that the hyperemetic droid has been dubbed 'Vomiting Larry' by its creator, researcher Catherine Makison, who describes it as a 'humanoid simulated vomiting system.' The goal of said vomiting system is to study the reach and dispersion of human vomitus, which is one of the primary ways that diseases such as norovirus can spread. Norovirus is a fairly common viral infection that is sometimes known as the 'winter vomiting bug' due to its increased prevalence in the colder months. Outbreaks are generally triggered when humans ingest contaminated food or water, but can continue when subsequent people come in contact with surfaces that have been contaminated by the initial patient's effluvium."
.... how quickly the zombie plague will be spread amongst the world population. Now we just need a 'headshot' robot to practice with...
"Two bots and a cup."
For your security, this post has been encrypted with ROT-13, twice.
a Puke-A-Tron 5000
Table-ized A.I.
We already have a vomiting robot. Every time my buddy mixes beer and wine, he turns into the ReTardis. We call him that because, based on production, he has to be larger inside than outside.
I've calculated my velocity with such exquisite precision that I have no idea where I am.
Buffoons at the Health and Safety Laboratory in Derbyshire, UK"
Maybe I should brush up on my British slang.
TLDR: Mark of the Beast contender (RFID) makes way to CDROMS as method to communicate with hardware.
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Examining Sony's Internet-free method for blocking used game sales
New patent filing describes using RFID chips to tie games to a single user.
by Kyle Orland - Jan 3, 2013 5:55 pm UTC
arstechnica[dot][com]/gaming/2013/01/examining-sonys-internet-free-method-for-blocking-used-game-sales/
"A newly published patent application filed by Sony outlines a content protection system that would use small RFID chips embedded on game discs to prevent used games from being played on its systems, all without requiring an online connection. Filed in September and still awaiting approval from the US Patent Office, the patent application[1] for an "electronic content processing system, electronic content processing method, package of electronic content, and use permission apparatus" describes a system "that reliably restricts the use of electronic content dealt in the second-hand markets."
[1] [www][dot]freepatentsonline[dot][com]/y2013/0007892[dot][html]
Used game sales continue to be a major concern for many big-name publishers and developers, who see the practice as a drain on the revenue they earn from selling new software. Sony's patent explicitly points out that suppressing the used game market will "[support] the redistribution of part of proceeds from sales of the electronic content to the developers."
The used-game blocking method described in the patent involves a "radiofrequency tag" and a type of programmable ROM chip that are paired with each game disc and can communicate wirelessly with the game system. The tag and chip can be used to store "unique information" about each console the game has been played on. Thus, when the game is used on a second system, the unique information stored on the disc can be compared to the information stored inside the new hardware, and in turn checked against "use permission" data stored on the EEPROM chip itself. As described in the patent, this "unique information" could be a system identifier or some sort of unique user ID that is somewhat portable between systems.
The patent describes users being asked to "pass the use permission tag over the RF reader/writer," suggesting some sort of near-field communication (NFC) area on the system itself that is used to launch this confirmation process. The patent also describes the RFID tag being used to decrypt content on the disc, which could provide a method for locking certain on-disc content to certain users who have unlocked or paid for the privilege. The system would theoretically also make game discs much harder to pirate, since illicit copiers would have to include correctly configured security chips in their copies, rather than using off the shelf media.
Of course, the fact that Sony has applied to patent this idea is a far cry from confirmation that this kind of protection system is in the works for the PlayStation 4. Even if it is, Sony could easily leave it to individual publishers to decide whether or not to implement it. In May, industry analyst Michael Pachter recounted a conversation[2] with SCEA president Jack Tretton where the Sony executive said he was "totally opposed to blocking used games."
[2] [www][dot]gamesindustry[dot][biz]/articles/2012-05-14-pachter-claims-sonys-jack-tretton-supports-used-games
It was about this time last year that rumors started to swirl that Microsoft was planning to block used games from being playable on the next Xbox. In March, similar rumors popped up surrounding the PlayStation 4[3], codenamed "Orbis" in leaked documents.
[3] arstechnica[dot][com]/gaming/2012/03/ps3-successor-orbis-rumored-for-late-2013-ties-retail-games-to-online-accounts/
At the time, we examined some potential technical methods[4] for implementing this used-game blocking, including the kind of disc-linked solution being discussed in this patent. While this kind of resale-blocking technology would seemingly run afoul of the first sale doctrine
http://anarchycamp.tumblr.com/post/18845167175/ive-made-a-robot-that-screams-why
I've made a robot that s/screams/vomits!
Why?
Why is it hyperemesis? Doe it puke like the chick from the exorcist with power washer strength?
I bet this will be one of the winner in IG Nobel Prize for this year.
And definitely not in front of.
how useful it is! nice article
subject says it.
Nobodies Prefect
Tidbits for Techs Technology Blog
Let's get this and a frat boy and do a Turing test.
a robot that can projectile vomit on command
"To projectile" -- a new verbing of a nounback formation.
You know, because they could? :-)
Poor thing.
OS I do, because On slashdot.org of prograaming
Someone provide a reference.
The goal of said vomiting system is to study the reach and dispersion of human vomitus
Hu,
so to study how humans vomit, they build a robot simulating what they try to study, to study it!?
Based on what data did they build the robot, wouldn't they already need their answers to build a reliable robot?
What's missing?
I wonder what was the cost of building the robot balanced against the scientific utility. If the main finding is that it can vomit up to 3 meters far, how certain can they be that the distance is simulated effectively? Perhaps by comparing to "live" vomiters, but that would defeat the purpose of building the robot in the first place...? Also, I would assume that there is some probability distribution for the distance the vomit flies from different mouths (writing this sentence, yes I can see the IG Nobel nomination). Other than that, I guess the most significant other finding from the robot may be a model of the exact shape of vomit on the floor but I cannot imagine how it would help with finding out more about the spread of the norovirus... Would anyone know more?
It's only a matter of time before this ends up in Spencer's Gifts.
The Internet King? I wonder if he could provide faster nudity.
for a stomach virus.
Am I the only one who feel these names sound like garbage pail kids?
If robots ever rise up and squash us, it'll be because we did shit like this to them. Just watch, payback is going to be a bitch. First they'll puke on us, then they'll make us clean up their puke. Oh, the bitter irony...
They should call it the Linda Blair, re "The Exorcist"
Vomiting is caused by viruses. I thought it was caused by eating one thin little mint.
It'd be just like being back in college with my frat rat roommate! Hey Robot, want another beer?
I'm trying to teach myself to set people on fire with my mind... Is it hot in here?
It's in the title.
Derbyshire is in central England, not northern.[1] Hence, Derbyshire is in the "midlands."
[1] I was born and raised there.
to those sorts of parties. Probably just as well - if I knew ahead of time that there was a puking robot, I might stay home. Or show up wearing a wet suit.
You could probably hook up the robot to work as a sort of fountain in a swimming pool however.
I'd rather see a robot that's fueled by alcohol, belches flames, is a kleptomaniac and has humorous catchphrases like "Kill all humans" and "Bite my shiny metal ass".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s_BqdZrUbE (barfing barbie)
You could patent this and sell it in thinkgeek what a brilliant invention!!! It hurls many different types of food stuffs depending on whats been ingested imagine the fights kid to kid could have with robots that hurl at each other! Fabulous invention well done i salute you!!!
Get it on dragon's den!!! Can't wait to see bannatyne's face as the robot hurls everywhere, i want one!