The Robot Film Festival: "And the Winner Is...."

Double A - Robot from Julien Vanhoenacker on Vimeo.
   "Robots take the stage! The Robot Film Festival, sponsored by Science House, was founded by roboticist Heather Knight of Marilyn Monrobot and Carnegie Mellon's Robotics Institute to inject a sense of playfulness into traditional science and engineering and explore new frontiers for robotics before the technology is even possible. Get ready to investigate humanity, machinery and the larger symbolisms within.

   The festival is a two day celebration of outstanding, dazzling, hilarious and thought-provoking short robot films. Saturday's events will open with a screening of Spike Jonze's "I'm Here," juried screenings and live performances by human and digital entertainers. ...."Read the full story at its source...
http://www.teenkidsnews.com/index.php?/Latest-Articles/Robot-Film-Festival.html 

Chatting Robots

Very interesting story about ChatBOTs and their conversations...
"Robot-To-Robot Chat Yields Curious Conversation

This week, Cornell's Creative Machines Lab posted a video that shows what happens when a robot chats with another robot. The result? A curious conversation that goes from eccentric to existential. Robert Siegel talks to Hod Lipson, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Cornell University, who helped set up the experiment..."
Read and listen to the full story at its source: http://www.npr.org/2011/09/01/140124824/robot-to-robot-chat-yields-curious-conversation


Also see story:"Suzette Chatbot Managed To Convince An Expert That She Was Human" @ http://www.ubergizmo.com/2010/10/suzette-chatbot-managed-to-convince-an-expert-that-she-was-human/

AND "How to create your own virtual self" @ http://www.newscientist.com/blog/technology/2008/01/how-to-create-your-own-virtual-self.html

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: Interactive Demonstration

Rock, Paper, Scissors
A great interactive  simulation from the New York Times

"Smarter Than You Think
Rock-Paper-Scissors: You vs. the Computer


Computers mimic human reasoning by building on simple rules and statistical averages. Test your strategy against the computer in this rock-paper-scissors game illustrating basic artificial intelligence. Choose from two different modes: novice, where the computer learns to play from scratch, and veteran, where the computer pits over 200,000 rounds of previous experience against you."
Access the simulation @ it's source: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/science/rock-paper-scissors.html?ref=science

Robots Get Real - Fantastic National Geographic Article and Photos - August, 2011

Aguust 2011 - National Geographic Article "Us and Them"
 "Robots are being created that can think, act, and relate to humans. Are we ready?"

     Robots Lab (from National Geographic - August 2011) 
"...Someone types a command into a laptop, and Actroid-DER jerks upright with a shudder and a wheeze. Compressed air flows beneath silicone skin, triggering actuators that raise her arms and lift the corners of her mouth into a demure smile. She seems to compose herself, her eyes panning the room where she stands fixed to a platform, tubes and wires running down through her ankles. She blinks, then turns her face toward me. I can't help but meet her—its—mechanical gaze. "Are you surprised that I'm a robot?" she asks. "I look just like a human, don't I?"

Her scripted observation has the unfortunate effect of calling my attention to the many ways she does not. Developed in Japan by the Kokoro Company, the Actroid-DER android can be rented to serve as a futuristic spokesmodel at corporate events, a role that admittedly does not require great depth of character. But in spite of the $250,000 spent on her development, she moves with a twitchy gracelessness, and the inelasticity of her features lends a slightly demented undertone to her lovely face. Then there is her habit of appearing to nod off momentarily between utterances, as if she were on something stronger than electricity..."

Read the full article and see the gallery of photos at their source:

National Geographic / August 2011

 

ISTE Author PODCAST - Getting Started with LEGO Robotics - Mark Gura

ISTE Casts - The trusted voice of Ed Tech
Audio podcasts produced by the International Society for Technology in Education


ISTE Books Author Interview
Episode 28: Mark Gura
click on the link above and then on the podcast icon


Mark Gura, author of Getting Started in LEGO Robotics: A Guide for K–12 Educators, discusses the benefits of LEGO Robotics and provides encouraging insight into starting your own LEGO Robotics program. LEGO Robotics is a hands on, multidisciplinary, collaborative learning experience. Mark Gura provides you with first-hand advice and recommendations so you can have your own robotics program up and running in no time.

Getting Started with LEGO Robotics: A Guide for K-12 Educators

Proudly announcing the release of 'Getting Started with LEGO Robotics: A Guide for K-12 Educators' by Mark Gura - Published by ISTE - International Society of Technology in Education, 2011). Everything that teachers, parents, activity group leaders need to know to get started guiding students in using and learning with LEGO Robotics.

For more information on the book or to purchase it:
- http://www.iste.org/store/product.aspx?ID=1690
........................................and
- http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Started-LEGO-Robotics-Educators/dp/1564842983