I just StumbledUpon an interesting article about a new type of printer that can make 3D objects. You can use various materials as input ranging from plastics to chocolate if you wanted. This device reminded me of the Matter Compiler in The Diamond Age which I reviewed recently. This is still a primitive technology, but I wonder if what Neal Stephenson envisioned might ever come true. Check out the original site to watch a brief video demonstration of the device.
Fab at Home Open-Source 3D Printer Lets Users Make Anything
Categories:
Related Post
Amazing new 3D Holographic DisplayAmazing new 3D Holographic Display
I’m amazed at how much technology from Sci-Fi has been shown to be workable lately. I just stumbled across this new high-tech holographic display technology. The demonstration looks amazing, and the technology looks to be promising once they get the resolution up. They are currently limited to 768×768 pixels. Check out the original post at Gadget Reviews, and the accompanying video demonstration in their follow-up post.
Willow Garage to make domestic robot development open sourceWillow Garage to make domestic robot development open source
I found this C|Net news article via Slashdot talking about a company named Willow Garage that hopes to develop domestic robots, autonomous boats, and autonomous cars. I’m especially interested in this development since I’m such a fan of Asimov, who is attributed to first using the term ‘robotics’. I’m not sure that there will be any sentient robots any time soon, but I’m glad to see that the development information will be open source. I think that keeping the design specifications open will be a good thing, rather then keep them secret which could lead to a monopoly like US Robotics and Mechanical Men in Asimov’s writing.
How far do you think robotics will have progressed 10, 20, or even 50 years from now? I’m interested in reading your comments about this.
Flexible joint robot by Sarcos puts Honda’s ASIMO to shameFlexible joint robot by Sarcos puts Honda’s ASIMO to shame
I am always amazed that the developments in robotics that are happening in my lifetime. I wish that Isaac Asimov had lived just a bit longer so he could see what the industry is producing today. Sarcos has made the prototype, which is under development in Japan. This robot can recover from pushes intended to topple it over. I’m sure a lot of you have seen the video of the ASIMO robot falling down some simple steps. This new robot with flexible joints and advanced balancing system appears to be the next generation of humanoid robots. For more information, including a video demonstration, check out the full article at NewScientistTech. Found via SlashDot