Robot Research Today

Modern researchers are developing robots that can mimic human speech, human movement, and human expression. Progress toward true artificial intelligence continues to improve as computing power increases. Scientists and engineers pursue their dreams of a robotic future in research laboratories around the world.

In the early Seventeenth Century Japanese inventors and artisans created karakuri (automata) that performed basic functions like serving tea. The European courts of the Eighteenth Century were entertained and amazed by all manners of automata. Statues that played musical instruments and a feathered duck that moved and quacked were popular forms of entertainment in royal courts.

There has been a dichotomy of thought about the role of robots since Karel Capek first coined the term in 1921. Would humanoid robots make owner/operators uncomfortable, or are they necessary to be useful in a human oriented environment? Is it ethical to create a sub-human race to serve us? In the end, who will serve whom? Advancements in computer science are forcing the question of Artificial Intelligence. Using Weak AI would enable a robot to act human without any real emotion, while Strong AI could lead to self-awareness. Researchers, regardless of their personal opinions are striving to create their vision of robots.

Two examples of humanoid robots are being developed in Japan. At the Humanoid Research Lab at TokyoÕs Waseda University is WABIAN-RII. Complicated programming allows it to walk and dance. DB (Dynamic Brain) being developed at the Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute Lab actually learned to dance and juggle by watching and repeating actions until it succeeded. A neural network gives it a more flexible intelligence.

The ability to recognize and show human expressions is important for robots to fit in human society. The question is should their faces look human or not? Kismet, at MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory has pink porcine ears and lips that look like parallel strips of red licorice whip. The range of emotion and expression her cartoon like visage is capable of is nothing short of amazing. Kismet is meant to expand her range of expression learning in socially interactive ways. At the Science University in Tokyo are 3rd Generation Face Robots, heads that look startlingly human. Shape actuators beneath artificial skin will act like muscles to create human expressions.

Instead of making robots in the image of man there is mimetics (patterning after living creatures). Taking it a step further, biomimetics is movement using a mixture of nature and mechanical engineering. Monkey shaped Brachiator III swings like a, well, monkey. Based on a crab, Ariel scuttles sideways under the waters of Boston reservoir. Rhex O skitters across an uneven floor mimicking a cockroach. In a tank at MIT, Robopike swims using man-made fins. Robots do not have to look and act human to add to our knowledge.

Will they resemble us in their shapes and faces? Can we predict whether Artificial Intelligence will lead to true self-awareness? Will robots dominate while man fills the subservient role? Whatever side of the robot debate you are on they will eventually have a major impact on our day to day lives.