I can't recall the last time there was a week of such interesting development in robotics, or virtual prosthetics, or both. First, there was this video from Boston Dynamics (no relation to Massive Dynamic, I presume) to which I will add no comment:
OK, cool. Then there was this (in the prosthetic department): "the "Kiss Transmission Device" – a prototype gizmo designed to allow its users to virtually lock tongues." Demonstration can be seen below.
Again I will refrain from too much comment, but clearly this could be integrated into larger systems.
Also in the prosthetic department: "Japanese company Neurowear is creating a range of fashion items that are operated using brainwaves, including a pair of movable cat ears." Story appears here. Obviously, the difference that makes a difference here is the brainwave controllability, the "ears twitch through a range of different positions, which correspond to different brain activity."
Connect the dots......I'm value-neutral on what this might signify.
And there's also (finally) this story on machine altruism. "If Hamilton's hypothesis was correct, 'successful' virtual robots were likely to be those that were closely related and shared food with each other; that would help to ensure that at least one of them -- and some of the genes of both—would make it to the next round."
Perhaps we should start thinking a little more clearly, or carefully, about where this might be going. At any rate, change is inevitable, you might want to meet it halfway---which seems to be just around the corner.
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