Since so many web servers out there are linux, it stands to reason that virus writers would be more motivated to attack linux, owning a much more strategic point in the web than some end user's windows PC.
Add to that the fact that the source code for all free components of linux is completely available apart from discussion forums, bug reports, kernel mailing lists, all dicussing bugs and security matters, making identification and exploitation of surreptitious security holes a breeze for the enthusiastic virus writer.
All the technology is falling into place. The navigation and vision from the DARPA Grand Challenge,
No offense to DARPA, not all of the navigation and vision algorithms in those cars with a whole set of high speed computers are really practical for use on smaller home service robots. For one, they use mostly laser scanners fused with GPS data, not practical for home. The problems in home environments which are less dynamic than Darpa'esque environments, is that they typically require precision sensor technology and a whole lot more development in data fusion and in uncertain environment decision making. Conventional sensors for the home (ultrasonic, IR, vision etc.) all have limitations heavily fscking up the performance of the control algorithms. Developments are being made in this area though.
the success of the newer algorithms in machine learning,
What success? I do admit lots of cool stuff has been done recently. But machine learning is facing some strong limitations when compared with the abilities of biological systems in coping with unsupervised learning in uncertain and dynamic environments. Structured environments like searching the web are totally different to navigating a randomly cluttered room with your sensors at 50% efficiency (try navigating a typical bar while being drunk). Newer results in adaptive connectionist systems with evolutionary optimisation has some promise though. But neural networks have come a long way with not much resulting yet.
the balance and slip control of Big Dog,
...applies to quadrupeds with the similar mechanical characteristics. If you are trying to imply that the results are relevant to humanoids, I suggest you read up on the loads of material on everything from 3d linear inverted pendulum model to spin angular mommentum regulation and control for humanoids. The fundamental difference between quadrupeds and humanoids are those of humanoids frequently not having the freedom of undertaking static walking. Although I am curious to find out how they managed to stabilise the Big Dog from the kick scenario where it definitely loses static stability (Center of mass leaving the foot polygon).
and the cost structure of the toy industry
Irrelevant to the service robot industry. The development of advanced homeservice robots have few things in common with the toy industry. Except for trivialities like servos and interesting behavior control techniques like subsumption used in most toys, home robots share few parts in the same scale or scope as toys.
We have not yet seen the "killer app", but I think that robotics is now where personal computers were in about 1976, after the Apple I but before the Apple II.
This is spot on though. I personally feel the killer app will be precipitated by a combination of realisation of cost of human labour for mundane tasks along with the economics of the usage. I was until recently in a Korean Robotics R&D, where we typically calculated a vacuum cleaning robot to prove cost effective in 6 months of usage (initial cost of 400$ + power Compared with frequent manual vacuuming) for a typical apartment. This sort of calculation when tied in with mass manufacture shall break the killer app barrier.
Seconded! Jansen himself calls his works as "Kinetic Sculptures". Aside from the fact that they use natural dynamics of the mechanical structure, and are aided by the environment for their motion (wind/slopes etc). They are as much a robot as the average windmill. Parent is right though, they are pretty interesting.
Totally agree, been here in Korea for a while and havent yet gotten over in seeing winDoze in bizarre places...
On the funny side, i remember an ATM crashing, and windows desktop appearing, had just about enough time to startup solitaire (No kidding on this one) before some watchdog script probably kicked in and restarted it.
Gosh--if only the technological prowess and unparalleled economic might of the United States could somehow transport us between fairy tale wonderlands and our hookers and gambling--a little faster.
What a world we might make then.
Infact, forget the fairytale wonderlands...oh wait
..an Engadget story on slasdot, about Apple, on a queue. I know Apple is worshiped here, but can it go lower than this? Come on guys? wheres the !newsfornerds tag?
Slashdot Mirror
Since so many web servers out there are linux, it stands to reason that virus writers would be more motivated to attack linux, owning a much more strategic point in the web than some end user's windows PC.
Add to that the fact that the source code for all free components of linux is completely available apart from discussion forums, bug reports, kernel mailing lists, all dicussing bugs and security matters, making identification and exploitation of surreptitious security holes a breeze for the enthusiastic virus writer.
The Ubuntu I duel boot runs ...
That must be Ubuntu Duelling Drake. Upgrading to Hardy Heron resolved that issue for me ;)
All the technology is falling into place. The navigation and vision from the DARPA Grand Challenge,
No offense to DARPA, not all of the navigation and vision algorithms in those cars with a whole set of high speed computers are really practical for use on smaller home service robots. For one, they use mostly laser scanners fused with GPS data, not practical for home. The problems in home environments which are less dynamic than Darpa'esque environments, is that they typically require precision sensor technology and a whole lot more development in data fusion and in uncertain environment decision making. Conventional sensors for the home (ultrasonic, IR, vision etc.) all have limitations heavily fscking up the performance of the control algorithms. Developments are being made in this area though.
the success of the newer algorithms in machine learning,
What success? I do admit lots of cool stuff has been done recently. But machine learning is facing some strong limitations when compared with the abilities of biological systems in coping with unsupervised learning in uncertain and dynamic environments. Structured environments like searching the web are totally different to navigating a randomly cluttered room with your sensors at 50% efficiency (try navigating a typical bar while being drunk). Newer results in adaptive connectionist systems with evolutionary optimisation has some promise though. But neural networks have come a long way with not much resulting yet.
the balance and slip control of Big Dog,
...applies to quadrupeds with the similar mechanical characteristics. If you are trying to imply that the results are relevant to humanoids, I suggest you read up on the loads of material on everything from 3d linear inverted pendulum model to spin angular mommentum regulation and control for humanoids. The fundamental difference between quadrupeds and humanoids are those of humanoids frequently not having the freedom of undertaking static walking. Although I am curious to find out how they managed to stabilise the Big Dog from the kick scenario where it definitely loses static stability (Center of mass leaving the foot polygon).
and the cost structure of the toy industry
Irrelevant to the service robot industry. The development of advanced homeservice robots have few things in common with the toy industry. Except for trivialities like servos and interesting behavior control techniques like subsumption used in most toys, home robots share few parts in the same scale or scope as toys.
We have not yet seen the "killer app", but I think that robotics is now where personal computers were in about 1976, after the Apple I but before the Apple II.
This is spot on though. I personally feel the killer app will be precipitated by a combination of realisation of cost of human labour for mundane tasks along with the economics of the usage. I was until recently in a Korean Robotics R&D, where we typically calculated a vacuum cleaning robot to prove cost effective in 6 months of usage (initial cost of 400$ + power Compared with frequent manual vacuuming) for a typical apartment. This sort of calculation when tied in with mass manufacture shall break the killer app barrier.
Seconded! Jansen himself calls his works as "Kinetic Sculptures". Aside from the fact that they use natural dynamics of the mechanical structure, and are aided by the environment for their motion (wind/slopes etc). They are as much a robot as the average windmill. Parent is right though, they are pretty interesting.
ME TOO!!
I've always wanted to create an army of monkeys bent on global domination and I am sure I am not the only one.
OTOH, we Do have a monkey in the White House bent on global domination using an Army!
The subjects were actually grad students costumed as monkeys. Lab monkeys are too valuable to use.
And this is Modded 'Insightful'?? Scary.
Totally agree, been here in Korea for a while and havent yet gotten over in seeing winDoze in bizarre places... On the funny side, i remember an ATM crashing, and windows desktop appearing, had just about enough time to startup solitaire (No kidding on this one) before some watchdog script probably kicked in and restarted it.
Never a better time for the getoffmylawn tag! ;)
What a world we might make then.
Infact, forget the fairytale wonderlands...oh waitOn the bright side, may be they are finally on their way to building a Vista-Capable machine ;)
..an Engadget story on slasdot, about Apple, on a queue. I know Apple is worshiped here, but can it go lower than this? Come on guys? wheres the !newsfornerds tag?Yeah, it really sucks! ;)
Isnt it obvious?? MS pinched the idea :P
Nothing to see here, move along...
Must have been a case of kernel panic :P
Makes sense. Surely Adobe knows how to deal with "Flash"-Floods ;)
Ah.. but did you run all of it within emacs?
Looks like M$ couldnt curry any favours there ;)
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