Category Archives: #Business

Cassie – Next Gen bipedal robotics…

Since then, robots have fascinated the minds of sci-fi writers and engineers alike. Which brings us to Cassie – the next generation of bipedal robots devised by Oregon State University’s Agility Robotics. Cassie originates from its predecessor ATRIAS. The problem that researchers kept stumbling over when developing ATRIAS was that it contained motors which worked against each other. As a result, this left the robot in being completely inefficient. Cassie, on the other hand, contains steering, feet, and a sealed system, allowing it be both agile and robust.

[via serious wonder]

Leaked Video Reveals New Boston Dynamics Robot That Can Perform Amazing Stunts on Two Wheels

If this new leaked footage is any indication, it seems like the robot creators at Boston Dynamics finally found a way to improve on humanity’s primitive two-legged design: By adding a pair of wheels to their new self-balancing robot, giving the bot some impressive new capabilities.

Jump to 3:45 for the wheeled bot.

[via gizmodo]

EU is looking into the need to give robots/AI person hood in the eye of the law…

Robot headMEPs have called for the adoption of comprehensive rules for how humans will interact with artificial intelligence and robots.

The report makes it clear that it believes the world is on the cusp of a “new industrial” robot revolution.

It looks at whether to give robots legal status as “electronic persons”.

Designers should make sure any robots have a kill switch, which would allow functions to be shut down if necessary, the report recommends.

Meanwhile users should be able to use robots “without risk or fear of physical or psychological harm”, it states.

Lorna Brazell, a partner at law firm Osborne Clarke, was surprised by how far-reaching the rules were.

But questioned the need to give future robots legal status.

robot[via BBC]

Need to have your computer fixed ?

People hear that I am technology consultant, and ask me to fix their computers.  This is my questionnaire from now on.

  • Is it running windows XP ? Get a new computer
  • Is it more than 5 years old ? Get a new computer
  • Is it less than 4 years ago ?  Google the problem. It’s what I am going to do anyway.
  • Did you buy it less than a year ago ? Contact the vendor once you still have the original receipt
  • Is it a Mac ? You have to get new computer

 

Which brings up to the big question….

  • Will I fix your computer ? No.
  • Why ?
    • Because computers as of recent are designed to fail after their warranty. It is called planned obsolescence. Google it.
    • The time that it would take to determine the problem and fix it, would make it cost prohibitive.
    • And the most important reason, once I touch it, you will want me to fix every thing on it. At a discount.

 

To repeat ……

 

Want to blame someone ?

  • Predatory capitalism
  • Planned Obsolesce

 

90 hacker friendly boards

Our New Year’s guide to hacker-friendly single board computers turned up 90 boards, ranging from powerful media playing rigs to power-sipping IoT platforms.

Community backed, open spec single board computers running Linux and Android sit at the intersection between the commercial embedded market and the open source maker community. Hacker boards also play a key role in developing the Internet of Things devices that will increasingly dominate our technology economy in the coming years, from home automation devices to industrial equipment to drones.

[hackerboards.com]