Robotic Nation Evidence

UK report says robots will have rights

Restaurants Embracing Self-Service Technology

From the article:

Two out of three US restaurant operators are implementing or testing self-service technology that would allow customers to place orders through kiosks or online.

This trend comes straight out of Robotic Nation.

Honda has designs on car cam network

Not only will cars be driving themselves, but they will also become roving eyes.

Border webcams rack up millions of hits in a month.

DARPA Finalizes 2007 Urban Challenge

First prize: $2 million

From the press release:

The Urban Challenge will feature fully autonomous ground vehicles conducting simulated military supply missions safely and effectively in a mock urban area. The race will take place on November 3, 2007, at an undisclosed location in the western United States. Robotic vehicles will attempt to complete a 60-mile course through traffic in less than six hours operating under their own computer-based control, and the three fastest finishers will receive cash prizes. To succeed, vehicles must obey traffic laws while merging into moving traffic, navigating traffic circles, negotiating busy intersections, and avoiding obstacles.

This is a major step up over last year's course. Urban streets and traffic require much more accuracy. But it is safe to assume that by 2008 or 2009, engineers will be meeting this challenge.

How many years do you think it will be before consumers can sit back in a fully autonomous car that drives itself from point A to point B without any human intervention? Make a predicition.

software for predicting murderers: "Well if we can't lock up all the muggers, jaywalkers, or tax cheats and just throw away the key, the next best option would seem to be predicting criminal behavior before it happens -- and though it sounds like straight-up science fiction, that's exactly what University of Pennsylvania criminologist Richard Berk intends to do. Using a data set consisting of 30 to 40 variables derived from anonymous Philadelphia probation department cases over a two-year period, Berk and his colleagues were able to craft an algorithm that supposedly separates those folks likely to re-offend from ex-cons not deemed to be as dangerous."