Friday, May 3, 2013

Smart Robot Tends to Your Every Need

<p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p><a href="http://news.discovery.com/tech/robotics/smart-robots-130503.htm">Keep reading...</a></p>

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