We've covered a lot of various robots here that range from practical to WTF? This one is a head scratcher. Caltech’s LEONARDO (LEgs ONboARD drOne) is a bipedal robot that uses synchronized control of drone-like propellers and legged joints. This robot is under development at the Center for Autonomous Systems and Technologies (CAST). Check out the video below. Personally, I don't get it.
If you are obsessed with flying cars like we are, this is interesting news. Leading flying car developer SkyDrive, established by the members of CARTIVATOR, a group of aircraft, drones, and automotive engineers, has secured 14 Million USD through Third-party share issuance funding and subsidies. A total of 18.5 Million USD has now been raised and manned test flights will begin this year. Apparently Toyota is involved with this too. Check out the videos below.
Brain implants allow a tetraplegic patient to control a whole-body exoskeleton with brain signals in a proof-of-concept demonstration published in The Lancet Neurology. The patient uses two wireless chronically implanted brain-computer interfaces to control virtual and physical machines.
While the early results are promising, the system is a long way from clinical application or being widely available. Check out the video below.
Boston Dynamics is at it again, this time they're showing off more moves that their Atlas robot can do than most humans today. We live in interesting times, just imagine what this robot will be able to do in 10 years. We've covered plenty about robots but this is truly outstanding.
Here is what they have to say about it:
Atlas uses its whole body -- legs, arms, torso -- to perform a sequence of dynamic maneuvers that form a gymnastic routine. We created the maneuvers using new techniques that streamline the development process. First, an optimization algorithm transforms high-level descriptions of each maneuver into dynamically-feasible reference motions. Then Atlas tracks the motions using a model predictive controller that smoothly blends from one maneuver to the next. Using this approach, we developed the routine significantly faster than previous Atlas routines, with a performance success rate of about 80%. For more information visit us at https://www.BostonDynamics.com.
If you follow this site then you know that we usually post progress on the artwork and story for Linder's comic books and graphic novel, current and future technologies, and related things that reflect similarities to the neo-noir futuristic graphic novel Prisoner of the Mind.
This creation is Mindar, a Buddist robot. The robot was unveiled at Kodaiji Temple in Kyoto to share Buddha's teachings in plain terms. Mindar is modeled after buddhist goddess of mercy, Kannon. The deity transforms itself into different forms to help people and “This time, Kannon changed into an android”.
The wise robot would “help people who usually have little connection with Buddhism to take an interest” in the religion.
Mindar the robot was created by the temple and MR. Hiroshi Ishiguro, a professor of intelligent robotics at Osaka University, It was built by Tokyo-based A-Lab Co.
It looks like the future is already here, and things are about to get real interesting. New groundbreaking research in optometry has the military examining the plausibility of replacing bulky and costly night vision goggles with eye injections. Read more here. Check out the video below.
Cyberpunk is happening and it doesn't matter if you like it or not, because things are getting weirder all the time.
In recent years, Japan has become a world leader in the booming field of wearable technology. Tokyo launched a Wearable Expo in 2015, the largest wearable tech fair in the world, featuring everything from augmented human hands to electronic kimonos.
The project, called Arque, is led by Yamen Saraiji, Junichi Nabeshima and Kouta Minamizawa. The researchers from Keio University came up with the idea last summer. "We were interested in (asking), 'how can we empower the human body with wearable technologies?'" Saraiji told CNN in a phone interview. You can read more here.
I imagine myself going about my morning routine, stepping out of the shower, brushing my teeth, combing my hair, getting ready to go to work. Whoops...I forgot my tail. Think Jurassic Human?
In Celebration of the 50 year anniversary since humans walked on the moon, I am posting this so you can add your name to the Mars Rover Mission in 2020 and send your name to Mars. Although it will be years before the first humans set foot on Mars, NASA is giving the public an opportunity to send their names — stenciled on chips — to the Red Planet with NASA's Mars 2020 rover, which represents the initial leg of humanity’s first round trip to another planet. The rover is scheduled to launch as early as July 2020, with the spacecraft expected to touch down on Mars in February 2021. Click below to add your name.
With barely a mention in the news, this article touches base on Artificial Intelligence passing the same test given to chimpanzees. It's just a little chilling to think that it's no big deal. Who knows what is possible from here. Yes, let the debates begin. Below is an excerpt of the article on New Scientist written by By Donna Lu "Artificial intelligence has passed a classic theory of mind test used with chimpanzees. The test probes the ability to perceive the world from the view of another individual and so AIs with this skill could be better at cooperating and communicating with humans and each other. "
It sounds insane but every single day we are making advancements in science that were basically science fiction 5 to 10 years ago. Scientists have invented a new quantum material that could transfer information from the human brain to a computer. This is exactly the kind of tech I use in my graphic novel. Below is a mock ad in the back of my book for exactly this.
The research is in its early stages, but who knows what will be possible in the future.
I have to say, I am super excited about this. Apparently this is a prequel to the original film, but we will have to wait and see. Below are some of the covers and variations and an art preview. This is also the latest comic book trailer for this series. Check it out!
UPDATE 7-17-19! Run to you're nearest comic book shop and pick up a copy today.
UPDATE! Barnes and Noble just released a readable preview of the first issue of the comic. Check it out here.
Blade Runner 2019 is the first comic to tell new stories set in the Blade Runner universe!
In the neo-noir Los Angeles, 2019, veteran Blade Runner Detective Ash pursues a kidnapped child and a Replicant conspiracy... A new story from Michael Green, the Oscar-nominated screenwriter for BLADE RUNNER 2049, co-written by Mike Johnson (Supergirl, Star Trek) and illustrated by Andres Guinaldo (Captain America, Justice League Dark).
In an article on Smithsonian Magazine, scientists have completed mapping the largest genome ever fully sequenced of a rare Mexican salamander called Axolotl. Salamanders have a unique ability to regenerate almost anything you cut off them, even spinal cords, eyes and parts of their brains. This means that if we can figure this part out, we may learn the secrets to regenerating tissue and possible organs and limbs. I guarantee that the first human tests will be on a super soldier or military application. Can you imagine a soldier that losing a limb in battle and then growing it back months later.
Purdue University researchers have developed a robotic hummingbird that can pull off
the real thing's characteristic aerial stunts(Credit: Purdue University/Jared Pike)
This new hummingbird drone was designed and built by researchers at Purdue University. The coolest part of it is that it actually flies like a hummingbird. The 3D-printed body has wings made of carbon fiber membranes.
It has an electrical sense of touch and AI algorithms that can analyze those touches, basically creating a map to see in the dark. Bio-inspired robots and drones have been around for a long time, but this one seems closer than ever. Check out the video below.
If you think it's hard to see stars at night now, wait until Pepsi starts advertising in space. That would just be the beginning of the end as more and more advertisers would jump on the bandwagon. I really do like the idea of seeing some of the future stuff that I have written and drawn start to turn into reality. I am after all a huge sci-fi fan, but if this happens It will start to look an awful lot like this.
A Russian startup wants to launch tiny satellites into low-Earth orbit that’ll illuminate advertisements in the night sky.
StartRocket says it will launch what it calls the Orbital Display by 2020, and start displaying ads in the night sky by 2021. Its cubesats will orbit at an altitude between 400 and 500 kilometers (about 250 to 310 miles) and will only be visible from the ground for about six minutes at a time, a company representative told Futurism. See video below.
Boston Dynamics research and development firm has brought us all kinds of interesting robots over the years. One of their newest creations is Spot, and Spot Mini; a four legged robot that can do many things. Up to this point, Boston Dynamics really hasn't offered any of their technology to the general public or corporate use, but apparently that will soon change. Check out the video below.
Here is a statement from their site: SpotMini Good Things Come in Small Packages
A nimble robot that handles objects, climbs stairs, and will operate in offices, homes and outdoors. SpotMini is a small four-legged robot that comfortably fits in an office or home. It weighs 25 kg (30 kg if you include the arm). SpotMini is all-electric and can go for about 90 minutes on a charge, depending on what it is doing. SpotMini is the quietest robot we have built. SpotMini inherits all of the mobility of its bigger brother, Spot, while adding the ability to pick up and handle objects using its 5 degree-of-freedom arm and beefed up perception sensors. The sensor suite includes stereo cameras, depth cameras, an IMU, and position/force sensors in the limbs. These sensors help with navigation and mobile manipulation.
I'm sure you've heard about the infamous pole dancing robots at a strip club in Vegas by now. If not, well you're in luck. Obviously this is a gimmick to get people into the strip club. Guess what, it worked!
The Sapphire Club in Vegas employed two pole dancing robots to attract some new customers and get their name in the headlines. I think they are mildly interesting to say the least, but my guess is they are here to stay and version 2.0 will do a little more than shake their asses. One of the disturbing things about them though is their 80's style surveillance camera heads. It says to me, "You are watching us but we're watching you."
Check out the video below to see them in action for yourself.
There's a new flying machine in town, and they're calling it the speeder. The company Jetpack Aviation that brought you this jetpack, is now making what almost looks like a jet ski that fly's. It looks amazing unless you run out of gas or get sucked into the jet. Here is their info, and now they are taking pre-orders. Check out the video animation at the bottom.
The world’s first flying motorcycle.
JPA's Recreational SpeederTM represents the ultimate in personal transport. It is fully VTOL (vertical take off and landing) capable and can effectively take off from anywhere the size of a small car space. Originally intended only for Military, Government and Commercial clients JPA is also designing a version of the SpeederTM for the recreational market. It will be lighter than most 125cc motorcycles, fully stabilized and simple to fly.
Flying the Recreational SpeederTM will be just light riding a motorcycle but in the sky!
Being fully stabilized means that minimal pilot training will be required.
It will take off from practically anywhere and will fly at over 150 mph*
It will also fly at up to 15,000ft but we don’t expect many of our customers to need this!
We plan to build two versions of the Recreational SpeederTM: The Ultralight Version and the Experimental Category Version.
The Ultralight Version (UVS) will not require a pilot’s license to operate – all training will be provided by JPA or one of our authorized training centers. The Ultralight version will be limited to carrying 5 gallons of fuel and to 60 mph flying speed.
The Experimental Version (EVS) will require a private pilot’s licence to fly and will have no fuel or speed restrictions. As the owner/pilot of the EVS we will host you in our manufacturing facility and you will be part of the aircraft completion process. This will satisfy the FAA rules around Experimental aircraft production.
Full training will be provided at the JPA training facility in California where we remain the only FAA authorized jet-VTOL instructors in world.
Italian researchers have developed a soft robot that climbs and curls
like a plant tendril(Credit: IIT-Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia)
A Plantoid robot, yep you read that right, is a plant inspired robot designed by Italian researchers to mimic curling plant tendrils, think living vines like we saw in Jumanji. It seems like humans always mimic nature when it comes to machines, after all it is nature that has spent an eternity working out the problems of walking or slithering a certain way. Anyway, it's a little creepy but check out the video below you to see for yourself.
As you probably already know if you are reading this blog, it was originally intended to showcase my graphic novel which is a neo-noir futuristic thriller. It's dark and very Blade Runner like in a not so distant future. To keep things interesting while I work on the story and art (which can take years) I post some of the latest or future technologies that can and do appear in my graphic novel.
This year, CES has outperformed to supply us with future tech. These interesting images are of their futuristic self driving cars. You can bet I'm going to include one of these in my story.
The R.E.A.D. (Real-time Emotion Adaptive Driving) system tracks passengers' state of mind by monitoring facial expressions, heartbeat and other bio-markers. Then it optimizes the cabin to influence you in the direction of a better mood, using lighting, audio, climate control, aromatherapy and even seat vibration.
Kia at CES 2019(Credit: C.C. Weiss/New Atlas)
All of this is great news if you are terrified of the sun and birds. Take a look at this bizarre video showcasing the cars mood altering capability.
So, here's a thing made by a company called Youbionic. Things are getting weird now. This is a quote from their site. " This is the first wearable robotic devices that will evolve the human race in a something new, to turn the Native Human to Augmented Human." I would say you are right on that statement.
I am sitting here racking my brain trying to think of what I would use this for... and, I mean the obvious would be if you needed to lift something heavy or pull something larger than yourself. Maybe, something with a pole or maybe push a car stuck in the mud. But, there is a fundamental problem here. No matter how much you push, pull or lift, you are still limited by the users own strength, because it's attached to a human arm. Right? I guess if you covered it in velvet it might be a fun sex toy.
You can check out the video below to see it in action for yourself.
Welcome to 2019 the year when science fiction becomes reality. Oh, wait, it kinda already is.
Who knew that the company that brought us the Hyundai Excel in 1986 for under $5000 new, would develop a concept car that has legs.
The Hyundai Elevate is a blend of car, robot, and Mars rover as a machine for first responders, off-roading and explorers.
A normal car or 4 x 4 truck would get stuck at the edge of an accident site of collapsed buildings, cars and debris. The Elevate can climb over and walk to the area in need of assistance.
Hyundai says that, with its CRADLE modular platform, the main body that sits on top of the walking wheels and drive train can be exchanged for different options, including an autonomous option directed by AI. They have a taxi concept that can climb stairs to an entrance of a building, allowing a disabled person to exit closer to their front door.
Check out the video below to see all of the possibilities.
Flying taxi's seem to be the motivation for us to take to the air and Uber might just do it with this new Bell NEXUS aircraft. There are so many vehicle concepts already for this type of service, and Bell has just dropped another one at CES in Las Vegas. The newly unveiled Nexus is a look at future transportation that we have been following for some time. This aircraft is an all electric, tilting six-rotor design to take off vertically and propel itself through the air carrying up to 4 passengers. Bell has it's sights on having this Air Taxi in flight over several major cities sometime in 2020. Check out the video below to see the model at CES.
