The apolyton Robotics - News&Discussion- thread

[Urban Ranger]

I reckon a "sex bot" is very difficult to make if it is to be close to a reasonable substitute for a person.

It is not at all easy to simulate a human body in realistic ways. For starters, it needs to be warm, have a certain degree of elasticity, the proper size, surface texture, wetness, etc. And that's just literally the surface.

[Mr. Harley]

UR - yes and no.

You you want to have a sexbot that has a semblance of reality, close enough to be superior to manstrubating or the old inflatable doll (which I've always been puzzled by, it's not like there aren't woman out there, and if you are not a total a**hole - then again, some guys are. ). The biggest problem would be getting the sexbot to have balance and coordination, i.e. assume the on top position. That requires a very high degree of subtle coordination, and we only created walking robots in the last decade. However, modern "learning" programs may make it easier to solve, that is not my area of expertise.

So you essentially have a sexbot (female that is) that is adequate in the missionary postion and in the spoon position, with doggy style soon thereafter. Power should not be a problem, you acn have a power tether with mlutiple plug-in points, depending on your preference(s). You may even want batteries to simulate the proper weight eliminating the requirement for a tether, it depends on how much the various actuators (for movement) weigh. Battery models will of course be more expensive.

Texture for a basic simulcrum should be no problem, the same for the overall sensation of the simuflesh. Dealing with lubrication is self-explanatory, topping it off could take on an entire new meaning. The vocabulary does not have to be very extensive, and between heuristics and owner preferences required for suspension of disbelief/fantasy this should not be very difficult.

The step from this to a realistic sexdroid that is competitive with a real women is substantial. That is not what I am talking about. There is a substantial number of men who will find having the instantly and always available sexdroid superior overall to the much higher maintenance of a real woman. What you or I may see as advantages - companionship, love, conversation - are seen by them as instead maintenance issues for their real aim in life, getting sex. You will also have individuals who are shy, due to personality quirks, or as a result of abuse (i.e. low to no self-esteem who also might gravitate towards this) purchasing these, and sadly that means they may not ever deal with those issues. Dating and getting laid can be powerful powerful motivators.

If you can get the price below that of an automobile, you can end up with a substantial market. 1% of the males in the G8 is one f**king big market, if you wll forgive the play on words. If you can work you way up to 10%, you are talking something the size of the combined Korean car manufacturing industry - that as of 2002 had 5.4% of the global market.

It will occur in our lifetimes. I like the point about governments trying to outlaw these - we may end up with the old situation of magazines wrapped in plain brown wrappers (except it comes in three UPS crates - your new computer system arrived today! ). I haven't watch alot of anime, but the idea is so obvious it comes as no surprise. SF has dealt with it for decades, and Blade Runner is over twenty years old. Me - I'm happily married, so I will lean back and watch the fireworks with a wife-eating grin on my face.

[laurentius]

Boost your performance with an exoskeleton

Exoskeletons are not new, a lot of governments are trying to equip their soldiers with such products, and the Korean site Naver has some news on a Korean model. This type of product would ALSO be beneficial for disabled people.

http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/news_10189.html

Hey, need an exoskeleton? Why not ship it from Korea.

[Urban Ranger]

A week or two there was some interesting news. Some researchers managed to make a new type of walkers, taking advantage of gravity.

[laurentius]

MARU the Robot

I never found news on that UR but The Korea Times has news of an interesting new Korean robot called MARU. Heres more:

Korea looks to attract the world’s attention with its advanced technologies during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in November in Pusan.

The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Thursday said that the state-backed institute plans to show off its network-based robot, named ``MARU,’’ during the event.

KIST will introduce the robot to the leaders of Asia-Pacific countries and demonstrate its many functions, such as delivering beverages.

The network-enabled robot refers to a humanoid to which software is provided via the wireless Internet instead of embedded programs, such as in conventional models.

The robot itself is only capable of mobility and its other functions, like sensing and processing, come from the Web, thus enabling production of the sophisticated robots at an affordable price.

http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/200509/kt2005091515233210160.htm

[Urban Ranger]

Initially I thought they made something like a hive mind, with each of these robots acting like a "brain cell." That would be cool.

[Mr. Harley]

Actually I saw a video on The Daily Show this last week showing many of the more recent Japanese robots. They had robots that could do a rolling back fall and then roll back on their feet (not a back roll but a down and back up again). Awesome coordination, and if you look at my earlier posts....

[Urban Ranger]

I still think it's a dumb idea to imitate humans with robots. Afterall, we are complementary.

[DaShi]

I think its a dumb idea to not try different alternatives because some are too close-minded to see value in them. Asher was right.

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by DaShi
I think its a dumb idea to not try different alternatives because some are too close-minded to see value in them.

DaShi rushes forward to display his awesome ignorance of robotics.

[VetLegion]

Can someone dig out what is going on with this year's annual Grand Challenge in California and post a summary here?

It's the DARPA challenge about driving unmanned vehicle through desert...

[DaShi]

Originally posted by Urban Ranger


DaShi rushes forward to display his awesome ignorance of robotics.

What in my post was specifically about robots? In fact, you prior post demonstrates ignorance and closemindedness. My post simply pointed it out in apt manner. You not only dismiss one method of research based on your personal beliefs, but also call it dumb. This is the exact narrowminded thinking that Asher has accused you of on several occasions. You're response was to call me ignorance, similar to the ever childish, "No, you are." I hate to sound so arrogant, but it simply seems that I'm working on a higher level than you. Should I bring this down to childish name calling and insults? Or perhaps, simply calling you a troll is the proper response?

[Seeker]

When do I get my All-Purpose Cultural Cat Girl??!

Also, does anyone know how well the infamous 'Roomba' is selling? That's probably the most advanced consumer robot.

[VetLegion]

It seems Roomba is selling pretty well judging by Amazon comments.

[DaShi]

My parents bought one. Short of frightening the cat, I found little use for it.