Artificial Intelligence Update

Speech recognition has come a long way over the past few years:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/25/science/25voice.html?ref=technology

Alternative Energies Update

The addition of carbon nanotubes increases the energy delivery of lithium-ion batteries by up to 10x:

http://web.mit.edu/press/2010/enhanced-battery.html

Robotics Update

A robot learns to play a decent game of pool in just one week:

http://www.willowgarage.com/blog/2010/06/15/pr2-plays-pool

Singularity Update

This long article overviews the Singularity and describes those involved in the concept:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/13/business/13sing.html?ref=science&pagewanted=all

Computing Update

Scientists achieve a major advance toward making computer circuitry out of graphene, the most promising replacement for silicon:

http://www.gatech.edu/newsroom/release.html?nid=58002

Robotics Update

Self-assembling robot can drive and even fly:

http://www.physorg.com/news195286184.html

Cybernetics Update

A robotic arm dexterously operated by a monkey's brain:

http://www.physorg.com/news194796581.html

Robotics Update

Big Dog's little brother Little Dog is a 5" tall robot able to clamber over a variety of uneven and unstable terrain effectively:

http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/editors/25248/

It almost looks alive....

Computing Update

The world's smallest transistor has been created...with only seven atoms!

http://www.physorg.com/news193896845.html

Transportation Update

Concept car breathes CO2 and exhales O2, like a plant:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20005538-1.html

Nanotechnology Update

Displaying movies and other moving graphics may be powered by a superconducting power source:

http://www.physorg.com/news193635596.html

Computing Update

Quantum teleportation has been achieved to distances of 16km, opening the possibility of instantaneous communications with satellites and thus possibly eventually replacing current communications systems:

http://www.physorg.com/news193551675.html

Alternative Energies Update

The Swedes are developing an underwater kite power generation system to tap the power of currents in deep water:

http://ecogeek.org/tidal-and-wave-power/3159

Robotics Update

The roaming "Anybot" allows mobile teleconferencing through a cute robot:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/196633/meet_qb_your_new_robotic_coworker.html

Transportation Update

New plane designs could cut fuel use by 70%:

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2010/nplus3-0517.html

Genetic Engineering Update

For decades creationists have insisted evolution is impossible because it is impossible to create life from non-life. They'd point to the fact that scientists had yet to create artificial life as evidence. I would respond by saying that we were a lot closer to creating artificial life than they realized. And sure enough, ahead of schedule (faster than even I'd expected), scientists have created self-replicating, synthetic life, designed on a computer and using off-the-shelf, non-living chemical components:

http://www.jcvi.org/cms/press/press-releases/full-text/article/first-self-replicating-synthetic-bacterial-cell-constructed-by-j-craig-venter-institute-researcher/

Robotics Update

Teaching robots to behave more like humans to give them better manners:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn18913-innovation-teaching-robots-some-manners.html

Robotics Update

Scientists create programmable robots out of DNA:

http://media.caltech.edu/press_releases/13345

Nanotechnology Update

Using DNA to make an assembly line-process to create new materials:

http://www.nyu.edu/about/news-publications/news/2010/05/12/nyu-nanjing-u-chemists-create-dna-assembly-line.html

Alternative Energies Update

Using quantum entanglement to duplicate conversion of light into energy, photosynthesis-style:

http://newscenter.lbl.gov/feature-stories/2010/05/10/untangling-quantum-entanglement/

Computing Update

"An experimental demonstration of a quantum calculation has shown that a single molecule can perform operations thousands of times faster than any conventional computer."

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100504220042.htm

Robotics Update

Robots built with collision detection prevent humans from being injured by stabbing and slashing knives:

http://spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/medical-robots/050610-robots-with-knives-a-study-of-soft-tissue-injury-in-robotics

(See video for examples in action.)

Technology Update

This doesn't really have anything to do with nanotech or the singularity, but it is cool. Cell phone imaging devices can be made to act as nightvision enhancers:

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-05/uof-uer050410.php

Artificial Intelligence Update

Using cheap, low-powered cell phone chips to emulate brain-like activities:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20627585.700-army-of-smartphone-chips-could-emulate-the-human-brain.html

Nanotechnology Update

Relatively inexpensive nano-scale fabricator can construct 3D structures half the size of previous methods:

http://www.technologyreview.com/computing/25217/?a=f

"To show off the tool, the researchers at IBM's Zurich lab made a three-dimensional map of the Earth so small that 1,000 of them would fit onto a single grain of salt."

Virtual Reality Update

New floor tiles use haptics, speakers and video projection to simulate a variety of surfaces that feel like the real thing--grass, snow, ice, pebbles, etc.--when walked upon:

http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/editors/25114/?ref=rss&a=f

Artificial Intelligence Update

Using nanoscale memristors to develop synapses to emulate how the human brain processes information:

http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=15951.php

Artificial Intelligence Update

Circuits that work like the brain to evolve, work together and even self-heal have been developed:

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-04/mtu-bco042310.php

Technology Update

Predicted in David Brin's "The Transparent Society," 24/7 video recording of one's life has become a reality:

http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2010/04/life_recorder.html

Robotics Update

Skin for robots developed to improve tactile sensitivity and social acceptance:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20627566.800-robots-with-skin-enter-our-touchyfeely-world.html

Computing Update

Microchip manufacturers are working with different materials to carry Moore's Law beyond silicon:

http://www.technologyreview.com/computing/25142/?a=f

Transportation Update

DARPA has been commissioned to come up with a VTOL flying car that can also drive off-road by 2015:

http://www.physorg.com/news190913356.html

Technology Update

A new 3D printer could make rock-solid housing structures (even on the moon) far faster and less expensively than conventional means:

http://www.physorg.com/news190873132.html

Alternative Energies Update

Researchers engineer a virus to help split water into hydrogen and oxygen, so the hydrogen can be used for fuel:

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2010/belcher-water-0412.html

Cybernetics Update

A video update on the HULC exoskeleton for the military, which allows soldiers to carry heavy weights easily:

http://nextbigfuture.com/2010/04/exoskeletons-and-other-technology-to.html

Technology Update

The sidestep in the goal of creating a true invisibility cloak is creating an illusion over an object to appear as something else:

http://www.physorg.com/news189418826.html

Transportation Update

The first solar-powered plane that will fly both day and night completely on solar power has completed its maiden flight:

http://technorati.com/technology/article/solar-powered-plane-solar-impulse-has/

Computing Update

Advances in memristor technology may now make them viable commercially:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/08/science/08chips.html

“Our brains are made of memristors,” he said, referring to the function of biological synapses. “We have the right stuff now to build real brains.”

Nanotechnology Update

Gains in efficiency in nanopiezoelectronics may allow them to power nano-scale machines through scavenged power:

http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/22118/

Computing Update

Software is now able to distinguish between two different things a person is thinking about with 90% accuracy:

http://www.physorg.com/news189919411.html

Artificial Intelligence Update

Advances toward making a conscious machine:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20627542.000-picking-our-brains-can-we-make-a-conscious-machine.html

Robotics Update

Vehicles are now being built with automatic collision avoidance systems. Within a few years, driving will be semi-automated, and not long after that completely automated:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20627542.100-look-no-hands-cars-that-drive-better-than-you.html?full=true

Robotics Update

Human-appearing android robots are getting close to indistinguishable from humans...but they're not there yet:

http://spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/humanoids/040310-geminoid-f-hiroshi-ishiguro-unveils-new-smiling-female-android

Virtual Reality Update

Haptics--being able to feel physical sensations in virtual worlds--is slowly getting off the ground:

http://www.physorg.com/news189649307.html

http://www.physorg.com/news120489000.html

Artificial Intelligence Update

Teaching a computer how to draw the way a human artist draws may reveal the fundamental algorithms of creativity and allow A.I. to be creative:

http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/culturelab/2010/04/life-drawing-robot-could-teach-us-about-art.php

Artificial Intelligence Update

A new "grand unified theory of artificial intelligence" unites two different philosophies in an attempt to achieve AI:

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2010/ai-unification.html

Robotics Update

Examples of robots currently found in the world:

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/29/the-robots-among-us/

Computing Update

Charles Babbage envisioned a mechanical computer in 1822. It was never fully realized, and electronic computers are much more powerful right now. However, at the nano-scale, it may make sense to create mechanical computers as a way of saving energy:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20527536.600-babbage-nanomachine-promises-lowenergy-computing.html?DCMP=OTC-rss&nsref=online-news

Transportation Update

Fully-covered, 2-wheeled concept cars based on the Segway:

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2010/03/general-motors-en-v

Cybernetics Update

New technique allows merging of carbon nanotubes with neural cells--the basis for a true bionic replacement system:

http://www.aftau.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=11915

Alternative Energies Update

New high-efficiency hydraulic hybrid INGOCAR would weigh much less than conventional hybrids and get 170 mpg:

http://ecogeek.org/automobiles/3112

Technology Update

The development of an invisibility cloak takes another step forward with invisibility in three dimensions:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8574923.stm

Robotics Update

Telerobotics ("avatar" technology) is being developed for use in space:

http://www.astrobio.net/exclusive/3433/avatars-in-space

Alternative Energies Update

A small-scale concentrated solar power system that can be embedded in the walls of a building to provide not just electricity, but also air/water heating and lighting:

http://ecogeek.org/solar-power/3106

Alternative Energies Update

Transonic combustion boosts efficiency of gasoline internal combustion engines by 50%:

http://ecogeek.org/automobiles/3105

Alternative Energies Update

Nanocomposites could increase energy capacity of lithium batteries by five times:

http://www.eetimes.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=223800317

Computing Update

Researchers take an important step forward in developing self-assembling computer chips:

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2010/self-assembly-0316.html

Artificial Intelligence Update

Recently developed memristors closely match the function of neurons in the brain:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20527515.900-electronics-missing-link-brings-neural-computing-closer.html

Robotics Update

The EU is developing a program to develop robots that can learn from observation to make it easy for non-programmers to teach robots skills:

http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2010-03/12/amarsi-project-could-see-robots-learn-from-co-workers.aspx

Computing Update

Stacking chips into the third dimension should help carry Moore's Law (and the Law of Accelerating Returns) past 2020:

http://www.kurzweilai.net/news/frame.html?main=/news/news_single.html?id%3D11929

Alternative Energies Update

Tiny (9mm), self-contained solar power system developed:

http://ecogeek.org/solar-power/3095

Alternative Energies Update

Google now has a prototype of a lower-cost solar-thermal mirror which could bring energy production costs down cheaper than coal:

http://ecogeek.org/solar-power/3090

Transportation Update

The commercially available jetpack is finally here!

http://www.universetoday.com/2010/03/09/wheres-my-jetpack-right-here/

and

http://www.gizmag.com/first-commercially-available-jetpack/14423/

"The 200-horsepower, dual-propeller is designed to fly average-sized person for 48 km (30 miles) in 30 minutes on 18 liters (5 gallons) of gas. The newest model can also reach heights of 2,400 meters (about 1.5 miles). Price? $100,000."

I'll hold off until they're tried and true and a lot less expensive...but I want one!

Cybernetics Update

New exoskeleton allows soldiers to carry up to 200 lbs at 10 mph while feeling like he's only carrying an extra 5-10 lbs:

http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/04/06/hulc-exoskeleton.html

Alternative Energies Update

A prototype catalyst uses solar power to convert three bottles of water into enough energy to power a home for a day:

http://www.physorg.com/news187031401.html

Alternative Energies Update

Flexible, efficient silicon solar cells made with only 1% the amount of material as traditional solar cells:

http://ecogeek.org/solar-power/3074

Alternative Energies Update

A new nanoscale material can act as both body and battery for electric vehicles, cutting almost 1,000 lbs off the weight of a typical EV:

http://ecogeek.org/automobiles/3072

Artificial Intelligence Update

A new computer program is writing music that rivals that by the great composers:

http://www.miller-mccune.com/culture-society/triumph-of-the-cyborg-composer-8507/

Robotics Update

A number of new robot chefs have come on the scene, capable of cooking on different stoves and preparing thousands of recipes:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/24/dining/24robots.html?ref=technology&pagewanted=all

"The Famen restaurant opened, with two giant yellow robot arms preparing up to 800 bowls of ramen a day. When it’s slow, the robots act out a scripted comedy routine and spar with knives."

Alternative Energies Update

The "Bloom Box" is a new fuel cell that can efficiently convert almost any readily available fuel source into electricity. It's already being tested by a number of large companies, may end up replacing the power grid with individual home fuel cells:

http://www.physorg.com/news186123245.html

Alternative Energies Update

A new Stanford firm is developing nanoparticle coatings to increase the amount of light absorbed by solar cells:

http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/24623/?a=f

Computing Update

US broadband speeds and market saturation lags behind many other countries. The FCC is proposing a plan to bring 100 megabits-per-second Internet access to home users by 2020:

http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/021610-fccs-100-megabits-to-the.html?page=1

Although Google is looking at an even higher goal of 1 gigabit-per-second.

Medicine Update

Researchers have discovered how to increase telomere lengths, which could lead to rewinding the clock for aging cells:

http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/24604/

Alternative Energies Update

IBM has developed a method for creating solar cells out of inexpensive materials using an inexpensive manufacturing process:

http://www.physorg.com/news185093054.html

Computing Update

Energy savings and performance are not keeping up with the Law of Accelerating Returns. This could be a big problem for developing the ever-more-powerful computers needed for developing AI. However, low-voltage computing, while still having reliability issues, could reduce energy consumption by 10 to 100 times:

http://www.physorg.com/news185621560.html

Robotics Update

The Cylon robots of SyFy TV series "Caprica" are actually not that far away:

http://singularityhub.com/2010/02/11/technology-from-caprica-series-on-scyfy-is-already-here/

Artificial Intelligence Update

Ten-year "Bluebrain Project" launches to develop a working brain model by 2020:

http://singularityhub.com/2010/02/12/10-year-documentary-to-follow-bluebrain-project-video/

Nanotechnology Update

House representative introduces the Nanotechnology Education Act to ensure secondary and higher education are better able to prepare students for fields related to nanotechnology:

http://www.nanomagazine.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=401:us-congress-introduce-nanotechnology-education-act&catid=38:nano-news&Itemid=85

Alternative Energies Update

Within a few months, DARPA's research will succeed in making jet fuel from algae for the same cost as fossil fuels, and (almost) carbon neutral:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/feb/13/algae-solve-pentagon-fuel-problem

Alternative Energies Update

New materials harvests energy from everyday motions to power small devices:

http://ecogeek.org/power-storage/3057

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20527475.500-pliable-power-pack-will-let-gadgets-feed-on-your-body.html

http://www.nanomagazine.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=404:new-fibre-nanogenerators-could-lead-to-electric-clothes&catid=38:nano-news&Itemid=85

Artificial Intelligence Update

Various experts weigh in on the prospectives of when to expect the arrival of artificial general intelligence (AGI):

http://hplusmagazine.com/articles/ai/how-long-till-human-level-ai#comment-7212

Most believe it'll occur in the 2020s...or 100+ years from now (or never). I suspect those in the latter category are not taking the Law of Accelerating Returns into account.

Computing Update

Google hopes to have real-time voice recognition and synthetic translation into other languages within a couple years:

http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/personal_tech/article7017831.ece

Computing Update

Successful manipulation of individual photons signifies major milestone passed in the development of quantum computers:

http://www.physorg.com/news184599445.html

Technology Update

This isn't exactly related to nanotech or the singularity, but it's highly cool nevertheless:

Physicists have discovered how to teleport energy using quantum entanglement:

http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/arxiv/24759/

The potential for this is the development of instantaneous communications over vast (even interstellar) distances, bypassing the limitation of the speed of light.

Technology Update

This isn't really specific to nanotech or the singularity, but it's highly cool nevertheless:

Robotics Update

Next robot car race up Pikes Peak will go from the previously sedate 25 mph speeds up to speeds faster than humans would risk, using differential GPS to maintain positional accuracy within 2 cm:

http://www.physorg.com/news184438040.html

Robotics Update

6-legged robot uses a digital circuit that mimics insect brain cells to control movement:

http://www.livescience.com/technology/new-6-legged-robot-walks-by-taming-chaos-100129.html

Computing Update

The US Air Force will be hooking together thousands of PS3 gaming computers to create a highly efficient supercomputer to study how human brains process information:

http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/plugged-in/u-s-air-force-building-supercomputer-from-ps3s/1387199

Robotics Update

Robots use predator-prey evolutionary principles to improve their skills:

http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-01/robots-display-predator-prey-co-evolution-evolve-better-homing-techniques

Alternative Energies Update

Recent advances in both laser and magnetic research bring nuclear fusion energy generation closer to reality:

http://www.universetoday.com/2010/01/28/nuclear-fusion-power-closer-to-reality-say-two-separate-teams/

In the next year or two, fusion ignition should finally be reached, after 50 years of research:

http://www.physorg.com/news183983627.html

But practical fusion power is still a ways off....

Computing Update

New microscopic laser called a "spaser" (developed from the field of nanoplasmonics) could allow computing using light:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20527441.600-spasers-set-to-sum-a-new-dawn-for-optical-computing.html?full=true

Transportation Update

NASA has developed an electric powered personal stealth aircraft called the "Puffin." It's a dual prop plane, barely bigger than the pilot, VTOL-capable, and capable of reaching speeds up to 480 kmh:

http://www.universetoday.com/2010/01/21/nasa-unveils-personal-aircraft/

Be sure to view the video.

Alternative Energies Update

Oerlikon Solar expects to reduce costs of solar power to grid parity by the end of this year:

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2010/01/oerlikon-solar-promising-30-cost-reduction-in-2010

Robotics Update

Video of various techniques robots are using to climb walls:

http://www.physorg.com/news183100876.html

Computing Update

As we approach the 2D limits of Moore's Law, a new technique allows the continuation of smaller circuits by building in three dimensions:

http://www.physorg.com/news183024614.html

Robotics Update

South Korean researchers have developed a robot that can perform several household tasks, like cleaning, loading clothes in a washer and microwaving food:

http://www.physorg.com/news183022967.html

It's still a few years from mass production...but we're not too far off.

Computing Update

Carbon nanotube transistors now feasible at sizes smaller than silicon:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20527435.900-nanotube-transistors-shrink-smaller-than-silicon-size.html

Robotics Update

Robots can now use a simplified central pattern generator to vary its gait on different surfaces based on energy efficiency:

http://www.physorg.com/news182957235.html

Computing Update

DARPA plans to create a cyber warfare simulator to train cyber warriors against hackers:

http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2010-01/darpa-spends-51-million-matrix-cyber-war-firing-range

Transportation Update

DARPA is developing a flying car for troop transport, as well as a submersible aircraft:

http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/49469