China just showcased the world's most human-like robots, and they show how close we’re coming to Westworld reality

[Idaho_Cowboy]

China just showcased the world's most human-like robots, and they show how close we’re coming to Westworld reality
Leon Siciliano
Oct. 24, 2016, 8:50 AM

The world's most human-like robots have been unveiled in China and the resemblance is uncanny....
Video at link: http://www.businessinsider.com/china-world-robot-conference-beijing-artificial-intelligence-human-like-2016-10

[LateForLunch]

China just showcased the world's most human-like robots, and they show how close we’re coming to Westworld reality
Leon Siciliano
Oct. 24, 2016, 8:50 AM

The world's most human-like robots have been unveiled in China and the resemblance is uncanny....
Video at link: http://www.businessinsider.com/china-world-robot-conference-beijing-artificial-intelligence-human-like-2016-10

hah hah Not really, brother. The power needs of self-propelled machines like these are way too massive to be supplied by internal power plants. They must be tethered to a high voltage power cable. Servo motors equivalent to human strength require a LOT of power over a long period of time.

Presently there is no self-contained internal power supply for high voltage needs other than lead acid batteries  or gas-turbines that are both very heavy, bulky and noisy (see Boston Dynamics). Until there is a breakthrough in compact high voltage power supplies which makes tethering unnecessary, robots such as envisioned in Westworld or other SF movies will remain just that - science fiction.

NOTE: There are robots that derive power from their own motion, but they are not capable of human strength.

[EC]

They are still deep in uncanny valley territory, too.

[Idaho_Cowboy]

They are still deep in uncanny valley territory, too.

Yep, I think they would do better to try to make them look like cute robots than humans. They are pretty scary looking.

[Idaho_Cowboy]

hah hah Not really, brother. The power needs of self-propelled machines like these are way too massive to be supplied by internal power plants. They must be tethered to a high voltage power cable. Servo motors equivalent to human strength require a LOT of power over a long period of time.

Presently there is no self-contained internal power supply for high voltage needs other than lead acid batteries  or gas-turbines that are both very heavy, bulky and noisy (see Boston Dynamics). Until there is a breakthrough in compact high voltage power supplies which makes tethering unnecessary, robots such as envisioned in Westworld or other SF movies will remain just that - science fiction.

NOTE: There are robots that derive power from their own motion, but they are not capable of human strength.

We are just waiting on the reactor from Iron man. 

[EC]

We are just waiting on the reactor from Iron man. 

Ever actually looked at that thing?

It's a clutch plate painted with fluorescent paint.

[skeeter]

Yep, I think they would do better to try to make them look like cute robots than humans. They are pretty scary looking.

I won't start worrying until I see one that looks like Yul Brenner.

[Idaho_Cowboy]

Ever actually looked at that thing?

It's a clutch plate painted with fluorescent paint.

That would explain how he built it in a cave with spare parts wouldn't it.  You find a patent attorney and I'll head to the local pick-a-part and we will be in business.

[LateForLunch]

That would explain how he built it in a cave with spare parts wouldn't it.  You find a patent attorney and I'll head to the local pick-a-part and we will be in business.

The Boston Dynamics walkers are fairly magnificent, but they howl like one of the Zanti Misfits piped over a P.A. system. You can even try to push them over and the software / balance protocols allow them to remain upright. Of course making all of that noise they are useless for any military application  which requires stealth - the enemy could hear it coming a mile away - so you might as well use a chopper, an air-drop or some sort of loud supercharged all-terrain vehicle to bring in supplies/ammo 'cause the enemy will know exactly where you are anyway with all of that infernal howling.

High-voltage, lightweight portable power supplies for robots are like caseless ammunition or nuclear fusion - everybody talks about them being on the horizon but they never quite emerge from pipe-dreams into the real world. The problem is any time you pack a lot of power into a very small package it becomes high risk for things like massive explosions, fires or emission of deadly radiation.