Robot by Design

The Guitar Tuning Robot

2007-12-03T05:50:00.000-08:00

Ever since I was a boy I wanted to learn to play the guitar. I think it extents from when my older sister was taking guitar lessons and I was forced to take Karate lessons instead. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed those Karate lessons, I learn discipline, defensive tactics, and overall received a great boost to my self-esteem after rising through the ranks and earning numerous trophies and medals.

However, after all the rewards I still never learned to play guitar. Over the years, I have tried many "teach yourself..." books, cds, dvd, but I think nothing is better for learning than human interaction. Having a mentor teach you is the best way to learn.

On Nov. 12 Gibson Guitar announced the limited availability of the world's first guitar with robotic technology, the Gibson Robot Guitar. Gibson, in its press release announcement claims that it will make music industry history with its guitar robot. This is based on several claims:

1. The Gibson Robot Guitar eliminates tuning problems for guitarists. It automatically tunes to standard A440 tuning.

2. It also allows players to access six commonly used altered tuning presets at the push of a button. These tunings were used on many well know hit songs, giving players easy access for the very first time.

3. The Gibson Robot Guitar allows the guitar to be intonated in seconds after string changes, truss rod adjustments or change in weather conditions.

4. Finally, with the locking tuner, single string changes or changing the entire set of strings are an automated breeze.

The world's 1st run limited edition version of Gibson Les Paul Robot Guitars will go on sale at 5 PM on December 7, 2007 at 400 dealers throughout the world. Each store will only have 10 instruments. This highly collectible piece of history will be available in an exclusive Blue Silverburst Les Paul model.
To find the list of exclusive Robot Guitar dealers visit http://www.gibson.com/robotguitar. The limited edition run of Robot Guitars are set to sell at an MSRP of $2499.

The bottom line is that since the dawn of the instrument, musicians have come to accept the guitar's imperfections and lack of tonal precision as necessary evils. Guitar players without guitar techs have shied away from the use of alternate tuning due to the time and difficulty require to tune and re-tune the guitar. Maybe I should go get one of these, at least it will give me a head start on my quest to learn to play the instrument, but at $2500 is not likely that I will be buying one anytime soon.

DARPA: Results Are In

2007-11-18T06:13:00.000-08:00

The grand challenges is now over and the DARPA Urban Challenge winners have been announced! The results rolled in on November 4, 2007 as DARPA director Tony Tether revealed the names of the winning teams of his agency's robot car race, the Urban Challenge.

First Place goes to the Tartan Racing team of Pittsburgh, PA. Second Place goes to Stanford Racing Team of Stanford, CA. Rounding out the 3rd Place was the Victor Tango team from Blacksburg, VA.

As Tether announced the third and then second place, he finished off by telling the audience and candidates an anecdote about his college and graduate school days at Stanford University. This done to delay the announcement of the first place winner, but there was only one obvious team left; Carnegie Mellon was the only other team among the finalist who where in the top three finishers that hadn't been announced.

Tether couldn't have been more pleased with the race, calling it a "fantastic accomplishment," and saying that the technology for robotic vehicles was now just about ready for other companies and organizations to pick up the work in honing it further. "DARPA is an interesting organization," he said. "We really never finish anything. All we really do is show that it can be done.

I believe that we have come a long way in the last two decades in the technology front and DARPA has put up these challenges to show that not only it can be done, but that it will get done.

DARPA Grand Challenge - Unmanned Vehicles Update

2007-10-30T06:23:00.000-07:00

A while back I wrote on the topic of Unmanned Vehicles (UAV)where the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)was planning the organization of its third Urban Challenge designed to encourage the best minds in the world to meet Congress' requirement that one-third of all military vehicles be unmanned by 2015.

The challenge date is upon us and now 35 teams of elite robot experts are on their way to Victorville in hopes of finding a pattern when it comes to driving cars which will save hundreds, if not millions of live claimed to automobile accidents each year.

The prize is $2 million, a fractional sum when it comes to saving lives.The military of course is putting out the award money in hopes to keep its people out of the path of an improvised explosive device.

In the long run, the hopes is that these robots could drive humans around or at least take over on an "auto pilot" way when we are too tired or just partied a little too much, for example.

In two days, this Thursday, DARPA will announce the names of the 20 teams that have made it past the first phase and will go on to compete in the finals Saturday. The final event is open to the public from 6:30 a.m. to noon. For more information, visit the DARPA challenge Web site.

Lightweight UAV Plane on Hydrogen

2007-10-19T10:38:00.000-07:00

It seems that everyday I hear "we've gone green" over here and the "we are greener" over there. I just haven't gotten the full concept of going green. Maybe is because I know that recycling paper causes more damage than normal paper due to the chemicals involved, or maybe I'm just not that caring when it comes to the environment unless there is added value for me.

.This is the prime example of a story I read today, where the benefits is the green factor, not necessarily what the product was intended for. Here is the excerpt:

"Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have just developed a small unmanned plane that uses 500 grams of liquefied hydrogen to power whopping 10-hour flights."

The bottom line here is that these researchers are looking for ways to increase flight time through other fuel sources. The "green benefit" is less carbon dioxide, but they don't lead off with all the green marketing hype. Yes, we should care about our planet and consume less resources, however, less not forget the prime directive. Create unmanned aerial vehicles which can save lives, aid is in the fight against terrorism, and place our troops out of harms way

Robotic Massage

2007-10-10T12:57:00.000-07:00

Facials, Spas, Massages, and health products are all the rage. The human pampering industry is a 2 billion dollar industry. It is no wonder that many are looking for an entrance into this market.

The robotics industry has been in this area for a while now, but not very widely recognize. Simply walk into Brookstone at your local mall and you will be faced by a massaging robot in the form of a lounge chair. These robotic massage therapist can run in the upwards of $5,000.

I recently had the pleasure of visiting some folks whose whole focus is massage chairs. Their chairs far exceeded the quality and massage style of Brookstone's and ran in the $1 to $2 thousand range.

However, if you have more money to burn and are looking for the ultimate robot to massage you then wait no more. A new $70K robot has been premiere in Japan and it is ready for facial massages. Researchers at Tokyo's Waseda University hope the contraption will soon be deployed to hospitals and spas across Japan to give therapeutic facial massages. The WAO-1 (Waseda Asahi Oral Rehabilitation Robot 1) robot, is being developed initially for patients with jaw-related medical problems, but will make a penetration into Massage Therapist Offices in the near future. The robotics driving the unit have been refined to account for the softness and bone structure of the face. Learn more on this from the AP.

Next Goal: Unmanned Vehicles

2007-10-04T07:03:00.000-07:00

With the Iraqi War costing in the upwards of $134.5B and increases at a rate of $177M per day, $7.4M per hour and $122,820 per minute, it is no wonder that Congress has set out a new challenge for the creation of self-driving vehicles.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, known as DARPA, whose scientists are credited with the creation of the Internet, is organizing its third Urban Challenge, designed to encourage the best minds in the world to meet Congress' requirement that one-third of all military vehicles be unmanned by 2015.

This program has been on its way for a while now, but as of 2004 not one robot has finished the race. That is all about to change in 2007 as this year’s challenge has raised the requirements. Instead of simply being able to navigate a curvy desert road, the robot cars must be able to drive in traffic.

Dr. Tony Tether, Director, DARPA, states "Vehicles competing in the Urban Challenge will be judged not just based on how fast they navigate the course, but also on how well they perform. The complexity of the Urban Challenge places a premium on vehicle performance, and our judging criteria will reflect this. It may turn out that vehicles complete the 60-mile course in less than the required 6 hours, but no one wins the prize."

To draw upon the national scientific and consumer community the third Urban Challenge has recruited ADAM SAVAGE and JAMIE HYNEMAN, hosts of Discovery Channel's Mythbusters, to host the event.

DARPA has already selected thirty-five teams as Urban Challenge semifinalists to participate in the National Qualification Event. The webcast of the announcement may be viewed here.

All DARPA Urban Challenge events are open to the public and free of charge. Spectator information including a schedule of events can be found here.

Fall Cleaning

2007-10-01T16:34:00.000-07:00

Fall is upon us and one of the things I really don't enjoy is picking up leaves. Lucky for me, I have now relocated to the sunshine state and I don't have to go through the fall exercise, not yet anyways.

But for those of you in the northern part of the country, iRobot has heard your cries of pain and has invented a Gutter Cleaning Robot. The robot, fondly named Looj, is capable of cleaning up to 60ft in just under 10 minutes.

The robot requires that you still break out the ladder, which is a major undertaking for some folks. I know I always had trouble in trying to get to the top most gutter in my three story home. iRobot promises that it is a simple setup:

Set your ladder in one secure position and place the robot in the gutter

Attach the robot to your belt and climb the ladder using both hands

Place the robot in the gutter and remove the detachable handle/remote

For a video on this click here.

There are three models available, the 120, 130, and 150, ranging in cost from $99 to $170. The difference in the models vary from having a Belt clip, 3-stage gutter cleaning auger, Looj holster, and a High power battery pack. To see the exact difference, visit the iRobot site.

With such an item available just in time for fall, there is no reason why your gutters should be clean. A clean gutter means proper drainage for the winter months to come.

Google's New headquarters: The Moon

2007-09-17T05:57:00.000-07:00

The search engine giant is setting its sight on the moon. Google recently announced a contest with $30 million dollars on price money for robot experts to develop units that can go to the moon and send back high definition pictures.

Google launched a Google moon site simultaneously designed to showcase the Apollo landing series with important dates and facts. The site, which is Google map base, provides such features as geological and topographical charts and lunar elevation mapping.

The contest offers a 20 million dollar top prize for a robotic vehicle that is able to travel around the moon while sending data back to Earth. A $5 million dollar second prize for a stationary robotic unit that sends data. Another $5 million dollar bonus prize for any robotic vehicle that is able to discover water or ice, that is able to travel a distance over 5 kilometers, or is able to captures images of abandoned space vehicles from past missions.

The contest comes about because of lack of government funds to start new exploration missions, although NASA has a planned mission for 2020. The prizes are offered until December 31, 2012, after which a lowered grand prize of 12 million dollars can be won.

Robotic Spiderman

2007-08-27T20:38:00.000-07:00

Researchers from the University of Canterbury had created a wall climbing robot. The research team, lead by Associate Professor XiaoQi Chen in the University’s Mechanical Engineering department, announced the breakthrough in mobile robotic technology.

Professor Chen said other wall-climbing robots being developed used either suction techniques, electromagnetic principles or nano-fibre based dry adhesion, however theirs uses unmatched technology. However, he could not discuss further the mechanics of the robot because the team is investigating patents for the new technology.

The team has other mobile units in mind, you can read more on this at Science Alert.

Letting the Robot Go Where Few Are Allow To Go

2007-08-27T20:25:00.000-07:00

I recently relocated to Florida as such any news coming out of the area typically catches my eye. There is not much for news coming out of the JAX area, but in nearby Gainesville, FL a couple is making headlines.

It appears that a robot has been put where surgeons can only approach with a microscope. A local DJ just recently married is seeking to continue expanding his family members. He had a vasectomy done a few years back after a couple of kids with his first wife. Now recently married for the second time, the disc jockey is looking to start a new family alongside his new bride.

As such, he turned to da Vinci Type S robotic surgery system at the University of Florida. The $1.4 million system is designed for the most complex, minimally invasive surgeries. With this system, the patient is placed on the operating room table surrounded by four interactive robotic arms, an endoscopic camera and video system that transmitted high-resolution, 3-D images from inside the patient's body. The system simply marries all the skills of a surgeon with the exacting precision of a robot.

The robot makes the reversal more precise and aids in cases where scar tissue build up could render the male genitalia useless in the fertility arena. For more on the story go local to Gainesville.com

A New Kind of Tour

2007-08-27T20:08:00.000-07:00

First they were marrying people, now they are showing us around. Toyota, a leading car maker and manufacturer, has once again leap ahead of its competition; this time, however is not in its automobile division, instead it has succedded with the introduction of a robot guide that conducts tour and escorts visitors in its Kaikan Exhibition Hall in Toyota City, Japan.

The robot, which lacks legs, is equipped with autonomous movement capabilities for avoiding obstacles and with jointed fingers, allowing it to sign autographs using the Roman alphabet. In addition, the robot interacts with visitors through a combination of verbal communication and gestures.

The new robot is a result of Toyota's continuous efforts to develop robots, focusing on four areas where they can be most useful to humans — domestic duties, nursing and medical care, manufacturing, and short-distance personal transport.

Army to Use Armed Robots in Iraq

2007-08-13T08:51:00.000-07:00

The US Army recently introduce the use of armed unmanned ground system (UGS) in Iraq, marking this as a new milestone for unmanned systems and US Troops.

The Special Weapons Observation Remote reconnaissance Direct action System (SWORDS) is a version of the Foster Miller 3B robot that is outfitted with the Telepresent Rapid Aiming Platform (TRAP) remotely operated weapon station made by Precision Remotes. SWORDS can carry a 5.56 mm M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, a 7.62 mm M240
machine gun or an M109 Barrett .50-calibre sniper rifle.

The SWORDS marks the first deployment by a military unit of a safety-certified armed ground robot. This is a huge deal because troops can now be out of harms way while still in combat. The past couple of years have place a high demand on UGS and UGV (unmanned ground vehicles), however, SWORDS marks the first time robots have potential to be use as to take the infantry role.

Pentagon to Decide on Candidates

2007-08-10T05:51:00.000-07:00

Three dozen semifinalists have been selected by the Pentagon to build self-driven vehicles. The robot challenge aim is to test how well cars can be robot driven safely on city streets.

This is a step towards the likes of I, Robot a film in which Will Smith portrays a futuristic cop at a time where car drives themselves. In the movie there is a nice car chasing scene where he is being hunted down and he switches to manual drive to save the day.

As long as these young scientist remember that robots are great, but the human mind is far more brilliant we shall have a cruise control switch that will drive us around like Miss Daisy, but we should be able to still maintain control of the vehicle.

Similar challenges have been done in the past, with Stanford University taking the throphy last year with their VW. This year there is a new breed of new comers who may have better technology or innovative ideas. TO learn more about the competition visit the DARPA Urban Challenge site.

In Search of Life, Once Again

2007-08-08T19:32:00.000-07:00

Since before we hit outer space or the first lunar landing, we have always asked ourselves, are we alone? Space and its final frontier are too wide and large for live to exists but on Earth.

There the reason why NASA has once again send out a space probe on to a 10 month journey to Mars. As we can all remember, NASA has experience many failures from many probes in the past. Most recently, the robot which damage the proof that there was life on the planet.

NASA is looking to redeem themselves by sending out a new probe which will dig through Martian soil in a search of life in a frigid region of the Red Planet.

The unit, named Phoenix, is powered by solar panels and will travel 680 million kilometers (422 million miles) through space to arrive at its final destination. During its three-month mission, the lander will pierce through soil in the planet’s arctic region amid freezing temperatures ranging from minus 73 degrees Celsius (minus 99 degrees Fahrenheit) to minus 33 C (minus 27 F).

Further, the robotic arm will lift samples onto its deck to check for water and other carbon based chemicals that are essential to life. It will also analyze the soil in hopes to find traces of past or present life.

Soon we will know whether Gene Roddenberry federation will need to be formed.

A New Evolution of Massage Chairs

2007-08-08T19:19:00.000-07:00

I remember like five years ago or so my boss at the time decided to give everyone a massage pad for our chairs. The unit was clunky at best and just didn't provide the comfort promised in the box, but is the thought that counts, right?

I had forgotten about this unit until recently when I moved and went through all my belongings with a fine comb, throwing out everything I hadn't use in a year or more. Interesting enough, today a news piece made its way to my inbox, the release titled "Ultra-slim HT-1470 robotic portable massage pad covers 25% more back area" caught my eye.

Apparently human touch™, a large distributor of massage chairs and pads claim to have created a pad that provides 25-percent more back-area coverage than competing massage pads. This was one of the many complaints I had in regards to the aforementioned pad. The lead engineer of the massage robot claimed that in the design of the HT-1470, they took a new approach to robotic massage technology and functionality. In order to make the HT-1470 a great success, they redefine the potential of massage robotics while minimizing the thickness of the mechanism, portability and weight, and maintaining the industry-leading massage quality for which human touch is renowned. This all provided at an attractive price point.

Doctors often speak of the benefits of a good massage, the proof is in the growing number of LMT's, licensed massage therapists. However, the cost of a massage could be enough to give you a coronary. Robotics might make the difference, this unit is available directly from www.humantouch.com, offered with a suggested retail price of $249.99.

Collectible Robot Sells for Over 100K

2007-07-31T05:44:00.000-07:00

It's official, the world has gone crazy, for robots that is. Transformers dominated in the box office. Transformers opened to $152.6 million in its first 6½ days in the U.S. and Canada, Paramount Pictures estimated.

In addition, a vintage 1980's set of the legendary toy robots just sold on eBay for over $100k. The furious bidding could very well make this the most expensive toy in history. The collection, composed of over 275 Transformers and Transformers related items, included Optimus Prime and Megatron.

Part of the proceeds from the auction are set to be donated to the Elton John AIDS Foundation. The auction is being conducted by the collector's widow, Phoenix Lindgren.

For more on the auction and Lindgren's story, search ebay for "Ultimate Transformers Collection."

Uterine fibroids Removal Now Easier With Robots

2007-07-18T05:58:00.000-07:00

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths of the uterus that often appear during the childbearing years in women. Also called fibromyomas, leiomyomas or myomas, uterine fibroids aren't associated with an increased risk of uterine cancer and almost never develop into cancer.

According to the Mayo Clinic, as many as three out of four women have uterine fibroids, but most are unaware of them because they often cause no symptoms. Medical therapy and surgical procedures can shrink or remove fibroids. Today, a robot is now making the procedure a whole lot easier. In the past women had to have a procedure and incision similar to that of a C-section, but with the use of this robot, doctors can now perform large surgeries with very small incisions. This incisions are considered minimally invasive surgery.

With this type of procedures, patients are sent home the same day, and feel very little discomfort, and have reported very little pain.

The removal of the uterine fibroids have allowed many women to conceived where they previously couldn't. With this type of procedure women can start conceiving almost immediately.

Robots connect doctors with patience

2007-07-14T08:54:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been bed bound at a hospital wondering what is going on with you? While at the hospital did you wish you could connect with nurses and doctors, but all you had was the buzzer commonly ignore by many nurses at your fingertips.

Fear no more, you may be ill, but now you can connect with your doctor via teleconferencing. Baltimore's Sinai Hospital is one of the first hospital to have the robot which travels from patients' bed to patients' bed allowing doctors to communicate with patients while being away from the hospital.

The smart robot is able to reposition its two cameras giving the patient the illusion that the doctor is by their bedside while being anywhere around the world, thereby allowing the doctors to communicate with patients at anytime, day or night.

This is a breakthrough as doctors could keep updated by attending seminars and still able to make their regular rounds remotely.

Thief Causes Major Robotic Pain to University

2007-07-09T19:38:00.000-07:00

I recently had the opportunity to travel and rent a car, something I haven't done for quite a while as I don't like to drive cars that belong to others. Since I had no other choice, I felt compelled to also rent a GPS unit, a Garmin. Garmin became our trusty little friend as my wife and I got to sight see and enjoy our little vacation spot. We felt in love with Garmin and miss it terribly.

But this entry is not about our trusted little friend, but more about an Underwater robotics unit which was stolen last week from some one's car at the Dallas' Southern Methodist University. My thought is who in their right mind would leave such a valuable piece in their car to begin with. One of the first things the rental car lady adviced me to do was not to leave Garmin behind in the parked car. Garmin, although priceless to us, retails for $500 or $600. This Underwater Robot cost many, many more ducats.

The robot, created by the University's Robotics Club, was set to be entered into an international competition taking place in San Diego this week, as reported by the Dallas Morning News.

This robot was an almost priceless possession for the Club and was to become the first time the University would have been able to the Underwater category, what could have become a huge success. Instead, the robot was stolen as left behind in one of the club members vehicles.

The Club is offering a $500, no questions asks, reward for the safe return of the robot in time for entrance into the competition.

Meet the New Weed Whacker

2007-07-05T06:23:00.000-07:00

The Danish agricultural engineers have been working on a new robot for the past three to four years to help them eliminate, of all things, weeds.

The scientists have created Hortibot, a weed pulling and killing robot that currently costs $71,000, and can run all day and night thereby decreasing the need for more manpower to run the farming fields.

The number of robotics units needed to manned a sizeable field is yet to be determined, but what is sure is that the robot can pluck, laser, burn or eliminate the weeds in a more green and efficient manner than any human has been able to in the past making produce healthier and pesticide friendlier.

Another side effect may be that it will reduce the border control problem due to lack of employment of illegal aliens, or will it? Only time will tell. Read more on this at the Ludington Daily.

Sports on a Whole New Level

2007-07-02T18:24:00.001-07:00

I been receiving alerts all day about RoboCup 2007. At first I thought it had something to do with a robotic coffee cup until I saw the homepage of Planet Robo telling me otherwise.

The Japanese have taking sports to new height by introducing 1 foot tall robots with full mobility and flexibility allowing them to have full control of the little guys on a table top soccer field. The teams consisting of three robots per team all control by individual humans follow all the standard soccer rules. For a video clip of the live action click here.

I believe this to be a great step in the robotics arena, but I see it as yet another reason to have the teenagers stay home and work out their thumbs instead of their bodies. No wonder this society is heavier than ever. Don't get me wrong, I'm all up for automation and technology, but when it comes to sports and outdoor fun, I prefer to make mine physical. It is the one thing I admired by the latest Nintendo Console, the WII, it truly gets the kids back into becoming more physical while still enjoying the best of technology.

DOD seeking Terminator

2007-06-29T05:57:00.000-07:00

The Department of Defense has put out a request for proposal for a robot similar to that in the movie terminator, where it could shapeshift like Mystique in the Xmen. The robot, however, will be put to good use as it would be send to the battlefield to recover wounded soldiers.

This project labeled ChemBot, according to an article in Computer World, is seeking robots made out of soft materials like thickening fluids and materials that have memory such as memory foams.

The goal is to have ChemBot be able to travel long distances and reach those areas not readily accessible to humans while being able to change is physical appearance in order to disguise itself.

If the creation becomes a reality, its usage can become unlimited.

Fantastic Voyage

2007-06-26T17:47:00.000-07:00

I wasn't around in the 1960's, I did however spent quite a bit of time by making up for it by watching a lot of old movies and TV shows. Growing up I was a TV junkie, and still am today. Back then, however, I watch just about anything, but I favor sci-fi.

Today I read a story on how Israeli scientist have invented a microscopic robot which is injected into a human system to allow for diagnosis and perhaps treatment. Until recently the smallest robot tat had been built measured 1 centimeter (cm) and was developed at Kyoto University. The Israeli robot's diameter is one millimeter. This medical robot, which measures 1 millimeter in diameter, can even fight cancerous cells, the scientists speculate anyways. What is of interest is how the robot is able to grab a hold of the arterial walls and crawl it's way to the desired spot as manned by a human.

This robot very much reminded me of the movie Fantastic Voyage in which a team of scientist are shrunken down to perform brain surgery for a VIP, that is until one of the team members turns on them and wants to kill the patient. It was far fetch then, but almost a reality 40 odd years later. I think novels and movies are the basis for all genius ideas, hence why I still refuse to stop watching a movie no matter how stupid the premise. Who knows the next stupid movie could spark brilliance and make me a millionaire.

Danger Kennedy Space Center, Danger!

2007-06-22T06:02:00.000-07:00

I grew up watching Irwin Allen's hit TV series, "Lost in Space." The most famous phrase to come out of the show was "Danger Will Robinson!" That's why today's news of Sheila Allen donating the B9 robot to the Kennedy Space Center' Visitors Complex caught my eye.

As a young boy I dreamed of having my own B9, but at last I grew older and came to find out that the robot was but an empty shell with an actor driving it. More accurately, there were two different robots on the hit series, one fully detailed shell and one prop use as part of the scenery of the show. The later sold on eBay in 2003 for $230,000 to a collector. Although I dreamed of owning a nice unit like this one, I cannot imagine paying a sum of cash like this for basically a hunk of metal with shiny leds. After all it is the functionality which made the B9 Robot attractive.

However, fear not, if you are looking to purchase a B9 robot, you don't have to locate the aforementioned collector, simply login to lostinspacerobot.com where you can purchase your very own replica of the B9 Robot for the discounted price of $24,500 a 900% savings over the eBay item. Alternatively, you can log onto eBay and pick up a miniature replica for about $150.

Robot Education

2007-06-19T17:28:00.000-07:00

I'm a teacher by trade and find that teaching is generics more than an acquired skill. The reason being that a lot of patience is required. I'm typically not the most patient individual, but when I step foot in the classroom somehow it all works out.

Interestingly enough, the Brits are training a robot to teach autistic kids. Kaspar, as the robot has been named which stands for Kinesics and Synchronization in Personal Assistant Robotics, is part of the Interactive Robotic Social Mediators as Companions (IROMEC) project, which is funded by the European Union.

According to Ben Robins, a researchers at the University of Hertfordshire's School of Computer Science who is part of the robotics development team, the project is currently investigating how robotic toys can become social "mediators" for human contact, helping autistic children interact with other children and adults. The project studies not only human verbal communication, but body movement and gestures which are all part of human behavior and communications.

Autistic children enjoy Kaspar because it performs basic actions like smiling or waving, which appeal to them since the actions are simple and predictable. Autistic individuals like familiarity and repetional behavior, as explained by Robins.

In a world where folks like Neil Postman, who believed that Technology was evil and that it represents the end of human interaction, it is nice to see that technology is being tested and put to good use and education; providing interaction for those who would typically be left by a corner or let go to waste. Now they have the ability to learn and perform things that they previously could not bringing a human side that they had lost to the disease. For more information regarding Kaspar, please refer to this article.