Friday, August 24, 2012

Futurists Prediction

Futurists Analysis: http://www.wfs.org/Forecasts_From_The_Futurist_Magazine

This assignment calls for the students to analyze one of the predictions made on the futurist. I have chosen forecast #7 below. I chose this one simply because I am aware of an effort to do something very similar. There are two projects that are going on now one of which is the replication of a K9 nose. A dog's nose is 300 times more sensative than a human nose, we currently are pursuing the replication of the K9 nose through mechanical means. I cannnot see any reason why vision cannot also be replicatedand improved. The second project is one that is likely to follow many projects similar to these which is a Robonaut. NASA is now vey interested in send robots on space related missions. As these other endeavors succeed, they will lay the foundation for what will likely become the Robonaut.

Forecast #7:Machine vision will become available in the next 5 to 15 years, with visual range ultimately exceeding that of the human eye. This technology will greatly enhance robotic systems’ capabilities

1 comment:

  1. Garland,

    I think that your discussion about the advances in enhancing senses using robotics or machines is fascinating. I also love the idea of the robonaut. Considering the advances we have seen in unmanned devices for the military, it would follow that something like this would be extended to other arenas such as space related missions. Especially if the solar projects from the moon are explored more heavily. It will be interesting to see what the next few years brings.

    Here is a link from Information week Government which talks about how the Department of Defense is expanding its robotics research with new initiatives to develop machines that can drive, climb, extinguish fires, or perform other automated tasks. The ultimate goal includes using robots in dangerous situations that would otherwise put U.S. soldiers at risk.

    http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/us-military-robots-of-the-future-visual/232900886

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