A new robot that can predict human actions with surprising accuracy is giving restaurant waitstaff and bellhops a run for their money. The Personal Robotics Lab at Cornell University has churned out a machine that can, among other things, refill your coffee cup and hold the door open for you.
This real-world Rosie the robot isn’t clairvoyant just clever. Unlike simpler robots that can carry out only preprogrammed tasks, this robot observes a person’s movements and makes predictions about what they might lead to next.
By breaking down complicated activities into smaller components, the robot (which still lacks a name) can accurately predict what action a person is performing. So if it sees you reaching, pouring and lifting, it knows you are probably drinking something.
But the robot also predicts what you’ll do even before you do it. This allows it to perform a more useful function. In one laboratory test, for example, the bot observed a person carrying an object toward a refrigerator and helpfully opened the door.
Recent Articles
-
Wecome to the ZATZ Studio
-
HTC’s HD7, the HD2 update
-
Is Windows Phone 7 for power users?
-
Open question: what would you like to see us cover?
-
Citizen journalism: is it sustainable?
-
Nik Software’s HDR Efex Pro reveals photographic details previously hidden to the naked eye
-
Status report: migrating ZENPRESS to a new platform
-
Internet Explorer 9 is out — should you download it?
From Our Sponsor
