Computer with insect brain

Insect Robot Interfacing (Timothy Melano; http://neuromorph.ece.arizona.edu/)

The field of neuroscience is moving toward understanding how sensory systems compute under closed-loop control. It is important to step away from open-loop experiments, i.e. where an animal cannot interact with its sensory inputs, because in the real world sensory neurons are passengers on a moving body whose sensory inputs are intimately related to its behavior. The challenge with performing these experiments under natural conditions is that conventional electrophysiology equipment is too bulky to be placed on a freely behaving animal. To solve this problem, we have designed a robotic electrophysiology instrument whose velocity is determined by bioelectrical signals from an animal, in our case the hawk moths and flies (model organisms for visual motion detection, olfaction, and insect flight). This robotic instrument allows us to perform electrophysiological experiments while a moth is onboard and controlling the robot, which, in engineering terms, closes the loop. With this instrument we will characterize visual motion detection neurons and investigate the use of these neurons as biosensors for robots.

Eleven robot cars at the start of the urban challenge

Cars that can drive without any intervention from humans.

“Vehicles competing in the Urban Challenge will have to think like human drivers and continually make split-second decisions to avoid moving vehicles, including robotic vehicles without drivers, and operate safely on the course. The urban setting adds considerable complexity to the challenge faced by the robotic vehicles, and replicates the environments where many of today’s military missions are conducted.”

-Dr. Norman Whitaker, Urban Challenge Program Manager

More info at urban challenge

Brain-computer interface for Second Life

A research team led by professor Jun’ichi Ushiba of the Keio University Biomedical Engineering Laboratory has developed a BCI system that lets the user walk an avatar through the streets of Second Life while relying solely on the power of thought.

The system consists of a headpiece equipped with electrodes that monitor activity in three areas of the motor cortex (the region of the brain involved in controlling the movement of the arms and legs). An EEG machine reads and graphs the data and relays it to the BCI, where a brain wave analysis algorithm interprets the user’s imagined movements.

The researchers hope the mind-controlled avatar, which was created through a joint medical engineering project involving Keio’s Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and the Tsukigase Rehabilitation Center, will one day help people with serious physical impairments communicate and do business in Second Life.

Links:
Brain-computer interface for Second Life
Movie brain computer interface Second Life

Scientists Invent 30 Year Continuous Power Laptop Battery

Your next laptop could have a continuous power battery that lasts for 30 years without a single recharge thanks to work being funded by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory. The best part about these cells are when they eventually run out of power they are totally inert and non-toxic, so environmentalists need not fear these high tech scientific wonder batteries. If all goes well plans are for these cells to reach store shelves in about 2 to 3 years.

True or a Hoax?

Read the full article at next energy news

Mobile system promises free calls

A new way of making calls directly between mobile phones, for free, is being trialled by a Swedish company TerraNet.

And TerraNet phones currently only work with a special handset - although Mr Carlius said he hopes that it will eventually be a feature available on all phones, like Bluetooth.

He said that were this to happen, it could potentially spell the end for the current Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications model. About 70% of all mobile phones use this technology.

Mr Carlius said that mobile phone manufacturer Ericsson had invested around £3m in TerraNet.

Additional links:
Peer-to-peer mobile trial in Africa
Mobile system promises free calls
TerraNet AB

Robotic age - Is it coming soon ????

An ethical code to prevent humans abusing robots, and vice versa, is being drawn up by South Korea.
The Ministry of Information and Communication has also predicted that every South Korean household will have a robot by between 2015 and 2020.
Other bodies are also thinking about the robotic future. Last year a UK government study predicted that in the next 50 years robots could demand the same rights as human beings.

ASIMOV'S LAWS OF ROBOTICS (From 1942):

1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2. A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law

Read more in the BBC article http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6425927.stm

OpenMoko - First open source mobile phone platform

Check it out this could be an excellent alternative to the Microsoft and Nokia platforms and without the restrictions of these proprietary platforms.

First phone should be available for sale from 11 March 2007 produced by FIC (http://www.fic.com.tw/) in Taiwan.

OpenMoko (http://www.openmoko.org/)

More links:

Gizmodo

The Guardian newspaper

Libervis