Science: Researchers build a robot that can reproduce

[attaboy]

One of the dreams of both science fiction writers and practical robot builders has been realized, at least on a simple level: Cornell University researchers have created a machine that can build copies of itself.
Admittedly the machine is just a proof of concept -- it performs no useful function except to self-replicate -- but the basic principle could be extended to create robots that could replicate or at least repair themselves while working in space or in hazardous environments, according to Hod Lipson, Cornell assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, and computing and information science, in whose lab the robots were built and tested.

To begin replication, the stack of cubes bends over and sets its top cube on the table. Then it bends to one side or another to pick up a new cube and deposit it on top of the first. By repeating the process, one robot made up of a stack of cubes can create another just like itself. Since one robot cannot reach across another robot of the same height, the robot being built assists in completing its own construction.

Researchers build a robot that can reproduce

Check out the related links.
Hod Lipson's page on self-replication: Cornell CCSL: Self replication
Video: http://www.mae.cornell.edu/ccsl/rese...eo/4x4ht4a.mpg


My God there it is. If there were any doubts before, they should be cast aside and we should move forward full blast. Business should not be encumbered in it's pursuit to reduce the bottom line. Make people obsolete as soon as possible and then tax corporations to pay for obsolete humans to lounge. Commies and their pink brethren in their pursuit for human dignity and a decent wage are keeping me from the human paradise foretold in that little wormlike bot's efforts.

FknA call it what you will but I have seen the promised land! Step off commies!

[lom]

Admittedly the machine is just a proof of concept -- it performs no useful function except to self-replicate

We shouldn't be so quick to judge, it may find a lot of joy in what it's doing.

[Thetyim]

but the basic principle could be extended to create robots that could replicate or at least repair themselves

Please, please, PLEEEEASE
Start with a computer that can repair itself

[kingwilly]

heeeeeeeeeeey, that's way cool !

but does this now mean sexual intercourse is no longer needed for reproduction??

[Thetyim]

Just been looking at those pictures.
Aren't there four boxes in all the pictures ?

The only thing it has managed to do is fall over

[kingwilly]

i suspect that it has only beguin the process....

To begin replication, the stack of cubes bends over and sets its top cube on the table.

[attaboy]

Admittedly the machine is just a proof of concept -- it performs no useful function except to self-replicate

We shouldn't be so quick to judge, it may find a lot of joy in what it's doing.

*wai*


The article says that each cube is programmed with the entire task. That means each one must know where it is in relation to the other cubes to know which portion of the program to execute.

[attaboy]

Just been looking at those pictures.
Aren't there four boxes in all the pictures ?

The only thing it has managed to do is fall over

Watch the video.

The four cubes bend over and release one cube. The remaining stack then rights itself and swivels, bends and makes contact with a cube set on a collection stand. It turns 180 degrees and gathers another cube and places them one at a time on the original cube it released. It then repeats the steps while the new stack of cubes position themselves to receive more cubes. The new stack then performs the process.

[Thetyim]

^That's not reproduction

That's just arranging cubes on the desktop

[attaboy]

Whaddya want for free? Try and get your computer to bring you a beer. Maybe the cubes collected from the wooden standss are "blank" and become formatted and programmed once they come in contact with the cubes assigned to perform the replication. It does say the new stack repeats the task.

[RDN]

... does this now mean sexual intercourse is no longer needed for reproduction??

Is that what it's for?

[attaboy]

^ If things go how I envision the significance of the little bot, we'll all be obsolete in the work force and therefore free to lounge and fornicate all we want.

A modular unit performed all the tasks (not just the stacking but the bending and twisting motions). It is capable of joining with other identical units to perform increasingly difficult tasks and the tasks can be replicated by new units introduced to the task. When this technology advances a tool constructed of modular units could repair itself by replacing the defective unit which is identical to all units. It's pretty cool.

[attaboy]

40 more views and my topic will break 100. Whoo hoo!

[kingwilly]

40 more views and my topic will break 100. Whoo hoo!

and 87 more replies and it'll be a century thread!

[attaboy]

^Rarefied air KW. Thinking such thoughts brings to mind the story of Icarus. 26 more views to go. Whoo hoo!

[attaboy]

100 views! You like it! You really like my topic!

I'd like to thank those people out there on the frontier of science who made this possible with their little worm-like bot, people who hope one day to discover something which will make them rich, filthy rich. Isn't that what makes the system beautiful? A person can get rich and the rest benefit from their efforts to achive their dream. Keep reaching for the brass ring! One day Bill Gates will knock on your door with a wheelbarrow full of stock. The rest of humanity thanks you.




*sigh* that little bugger is someone's ticket to an early retirement *snif* *snif* chokes me up.

[buad hai]

Admittedly the machine is just a proof of concept -- it performs no useful function except to self-replicate

Same thing could be said about humans.