The hexapod uses 21 motors, a web camera, and a tiny PC to amble around. The robot uses computer vision and machine-learning algorithms to help determine how to stand itself up and navigate its world. Matt built this project for grad school and was contacted by Intel to help recreate replicas of his hexapod ‘bot for them. Matt is pursuing a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering and he’s currently working on DARPA’s Cheetah Project.

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All things concerned, I wonder how smart Matt’s ‘bots will end up being. Hopefully, with the end of the world behind us, they’re won’t be a Robot Apocalypse coming anytime soon.

[Intel via Ubergizmo]

While waiting for Dr. Kormushev’s response, let’s study our potential opponent. Above is a picture of said archer. The good news is he has the body of a 3 and a half year old baby. The bad news is that he’s iCub, an open source robot, so there’s more of him out there. Kinda like little versions of the ones in I, Robot. Are they planning to make a mediocre movie? They must be stopped. But first we have to get our hands on ARCHER (Augmented Reward Chained Regression), the learning algorithm that enabled the iCub to learn to hit bulls eyes in the first place. After every trial, the iCub sees where his arrow hit and consequently adjusts his aim for the next try. So it’s just like what you and I would do under the same circumstances, except that with the iCub, each iteration is a guaranteed improvement, whereas my aim only gets worse and worse. By the 5th try I’ll probably have shot myself in the back.

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Members of the resistance, you guys go ahead and read more about the archer iCub at Dr. Kormushev’s website, ’cause you know, I still have stuff to do. In any case if we fail to free the scientists right now, we’ll still have another opportunity, because they are scheduled to present their research at the Humanoids 2010 conference this December. Let’s meet there and be on the lookout for a baby with a Native American headdress. I hope that by then he hasn’t learned any new skills, like vaporizing our eyes with lasers. In the first try.

Each of TakaraTomy’s Micropets-i miniature desktop robo-playthings has a tiny little mind of its own.

The little animals can chase after a tiny ball or your hand, stroll around any flat surface and avoid obstacles, sing tunes, and even participate in duets when you get two of them together.

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And with names like Custard, Mocha and Pudding, how can you resist these little guys? You’ll want to grab the entire menagerie and let them run amok in your cubicle.

Even if you don’t live in Japan, that’s okay, because the fine folks over at Brando are happy to sell you some Micropets-i critters for $20 (USD) a piece.

No seriously it’s not just about having fun. Here’s what the organizers say about the contest: “One of the main purposes of this competition is to be able to compare different controller development methodologies against each other, both those based on learning techniques such as artificial evolution and those that are completely hand-coded.” Pardon the screenshot; the algorithm-controlled Mario is just too fast for may screen cap skills. Here’s the AI in action:

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Wow. I didn’t even know you could wall jump your way out of a hole.

[via TechEBlog]

My ever-reliable imaginary sources shared with me a few sample scenarios that you and Neon may have: “Want to have washboard abs for just 5 seconds a day? It can’t be done, I’m sorry!”, “I see that you like Homer Simpson. May I recommend Odyssey on the Hallmark Channel?” and “No, don’t connect that Xbox 360. I resent that. Plug the Foreman Grill back in.”

Seriously though, Sony also says that the service can adapt its suggestions if  alerted that a child has joined the viewer. Neon may also be able to get content from a plugged-in PS3. Sony is also looking to get viewers to share recommendations with friends, although they don’t say how exactly that would happen. If anything, all of this points to two things: Sony is looking to integrate the PS3 and the Internet into their high-end TVs.

As for Neon itself, I honestly don’t see this service as being awfully helpful. It’ll come in handy when you’re bored, sure, but I think it’s actually risky when it comes to servicing kids. If children figure out that the service depends on input from them then they can actually discover more adult-oriented shows via your TV. Eeeeeexcellent. I mean bad. Bad & wrong. Bad-ong.

It is expected to be released in the next couple of years and will be foldable for transport. The first model will be like this tabletop rendering but future models might have wheels and harnesses (really? harnesses?) for additional mobility.

This is a clean site so I don’t want to imply other less savory uses that folks might find for this item. I think this quote from the manufacturers, in conjunction with the above photo, will suffice: “Handy has a very, very firm but soft grip and its ability to oscillate up and down at select speeds is quite satisfying.” Mm-hmm.

[InventorSpot via UberGizmo]

The first video shows off the enhanced AI engine (called “Euphoria”) which provides each enemy with a “central nervous system,” which makes them intelligent and emotional reactions to stimuli in their environment:

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[via TechEBlog]