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If there ever is a robot uprising, I fear I may be at ground zero. In a case where reality mirrors art (kinda sorta), Carnegie Mellon researchers (including Seth Goldstein) are working on a swarm of small robots held together by magnetic fields. This will allow them to take on just about any shape. Of course, this is still a long ways off. What Seth et al are currently working on is a control strategy for said microbots. This touches on one of the most fascinating aspects of computer science to me: emergent behavior. Imagine designing an algorithm that will allow a swarm of small robots to do (collectively) a complex task with each robot only obeying simple rules. Good times!
But I would be remiss in my duties if I failed to point out the amusing end-of-the-world aspects of this particular bit o’ research. Seth says:
“I’ll be done when we produce something that can pass a Turing test for appearance. You won’t know if you’re shaking hands with me or a claytronics copy of me.”
Seth, I think we’ll all be done when that day comes. Build a thousand of these claytronic cylons and they will overthrow the world’s most powerful military government (aka USA) in a few short hours. Once the danger has been identified, the following dialogue might ensue at the White House:
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs says, out of breath, “Madame President, what are your orders?”
“Declare immunity to the Homo claytronae and stand down all forces.”
“Wha-?”
The Secretary of State steps forward, face rippling, “You heard her. Now on your knees, meatsack.”
Ahh. A boy can dream.
