Robotics Update

Big Dog has graduated to the new Alpha Dog prototype:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=SSbZrQp-HOk

Alternative Energies Update

Producing hydrogen efficiently from waste water and a little salt to create an unlimited supply of essentially free, carbon-neutral energy:

http://www.kurzweilai.net/inexhaustible-source-of-hydrogen-may-be-unlocked-by-salt-water?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=4694bd72c7-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email

So...what's the catch?

Artificial Intelligence Update

How long till we achieve true artificial general intelligence?

http://hplusmagazine.com/2011/09/16/how-long-till-agi-views-of-agi-11-conference-participants/

Computing Update

A computer game taps the gaming community in order to solve some of the most difficult puzzles in protein folding:

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2011/09/18/computer-gamers-solve-problem-in-aids-research-that-puzzled-scientists-for-years/

Computing Update

Computers are now able to mimic the writing of journalists:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/11/business/computer-generated-articles-are-gaining-traction.html?_r=1

Alternative Energies Update

How thorium could make nuclear power cheaper and safer:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/williampentland/2011/09/11/is-thorium-the-biggest-energy-breakthrough-since-fire-possibly/

Robotics Update

A quick, graphic overview of the state of robotics today and in the near future:

http://singularityhub.com/2011/09/12/robotic-labor-taking-over-the-world-you-bet-here-are-the-details/

Computing Update

Computers are now able to mimic the writing of journalists:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/11/business/computer-generated-articles-are-gaining-traction.html?_r=1

"Mr. Hammond cited a media maven’s prediction that a computer program might win aPulitzer Prize in journalism in 20 years — and he begged to differ.

“In five years,” he says, “a computer program will win a Pulitzer Prize — and I’ll be damned if it’s not our technology.”"