“When humans use a personal computer, we enter into the computer’s world. If it can’t do something, or if it crashes, too bad; we have to deal. But a robot enters into our world. If floors are uneven, if legs get in the way, if lighting conditions change, the robot has to deal.” George Musser‘s review of the Roomba robot vaccuum cleaner explains why Robot armies haven’t taken over the world yet. —Robots that Suck (Scientific American)
Another quote from the article: “What makes it a breakthrough is the price, $200, which approaches the don’t-need-spousal-preapproval range.” The word Robot was popularized by Karel Capek’s play R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots), which was written in 1920.
Post was last modified on 9 Jul 2012 2:04 am
It has long been assumed that William Shakespeare’s marriage to Anne Hathaway was less than…
Some 50 years ago, my father took me to his office in Washington, DC. I…
I first taught Wilson's Pittsburgh Cycle during an intensive 3-week online course during the 2020-21…
A federal judge ordered the White House on Tuesday to restore The Associated Press’ full…
Rewatching ST:DS9 After the recap of last week's "In Purgatory's Shadow," we see the Defiant,…
Rewatching ST:DS9 Kira helps Odo re-adjust to life as a shape-shifter, obliviously but brutally friendzoning…