Kas 282015
 
5.958 views

Can robots be conscious?

Robert Lawrence Kuhn asks the same question with a different point of view in his article published in www.space.com : “When Robots Colonize the Cosmos, Will They Be Conscious?”

Can robots be conscious?

From the film I, Robot

So he assumes that robots will conquer cosmos instead of biological beings. He says, “The first colonizers of the cosmos will be robots, not humans. At some point, they will become self-replicating robots that construct multiple versions of themselves from the raw materials of alien worlds.”

I’m not sure of this assumption. Maybe a hybrid solution is possible. Or, there might be some conscious biological entities that can live in extreme conditions. In such a case there will be no need to robots to colonize the cosmos for the benefit of them.

Before we talk about the details of the colonization of the cosmos, we should ask the famous paradoxical question of Fermi: “Where are these aliens?”

If “the colonization of the cosmos” is a possibility, then it should have been completed until now. Because the required total time is not very long considering the age of the universe. (It is estimated 3.75 million years for a complete colonization: http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/life-unbounded/mass-effect-solves-the-fermi-paradox/)

If you are interested in these kinds of topics then you should read the article: http://www.space.com/30937-when-robots-colonize-cosmos-will-they-be-conscious.html?cmpid=514630_20151107_54648356&adbid=10153144907361466&adbpl=fb&adbpr=17610706465.

I hope you will find some answers to your personal questions.

Ahmet Aksoy

References:

Kas 252015
 
5.754 views

Smart Techno clocks

Normally clocks and watches are devices for tracking time.

In the history, there were many different types of such timekeeping devices:

Smart Techno Clocks

Photo: en.wikipedia.org

  • Sundials
  • Water clocks
  • Candle clocks
  • Oil-lamp clocks
  • Incense clocks
  • Hourglasses
  • Mechanical clocks
  • Spring driven clocks
  • Pendulum clocks
  • Chronometers
  • Pocket watches
  • Wrist watches
  • Electric clocks
  • Quartz clocks
  • Atomic clocks
  • Digital clocks
  • Smart techno clocks
Smart Techno Clocks

Photo: pinterest.com

And now clocks are evolved into smart techno clocks. They still track time, but they also track many more details. They track your health condition, number of your steps, take photographs, record videos and sounds, and they behave as wearable micro computers.

In a decade or less we will be all wearing some smart devices and our clothes will become smart gadgets serving for our comfort and security.

As if we are living in science fiction videos and pictures.
Or maybe we are already living in future.

Ahmet Aksoy

References:

Kas 222015
 
6.154 views

History of bike

First known bikes are invented in 19th century. However there are some unverified claims about “bicycle-like machines” from 15th century. (See details in wikipedia).

Crazy bikes

Photo credits: en.wikipedia.org

The first known bicycle was invented by German Baron Kar von Drais. It was called Draisine and patented in 1818.

The first “pedal-operated bicycle” was invented by a French metalworker in 1863.

Ball bearings are started being used in 1877.

“In 1885, British inventor John Kemp Starley designed the first ‘safety bicycle’ with a steerable front wheel, two equally-sized wheels, and a chain drive to the rear wheel.”

Inflatable tubes are invented in 1888.

Back-pedal brakes are invented in 1889.

“Paul de Vivie invents a two speed rear derailleur gear” in 1905.

Disk brakes are invented in 1994.

There are lots of different designs in bicycle history. However the main concept remained the same: two wheels, man-power, pedals, and a power transmission system.

Crazy bikes

Photo credits: en.wikipedia.org

In the following video bike’s history is summarized:

References:

Kas 192015
 
5.454 views

Foldable wireless keyboard

Foldable wireless keyboard

Photo credits: www.gizmag.com

Do you have problems with your touch-screen smartphone or tablet keyboard because of its ultra small size?

Then, LG serves a solution for you: Rolly. It is a foldable, wireless mini-size keyboard that can be transported easily. When you fold it, it becomes a stick.

Rolly maintains its connection via Bluetooth 3.0. As a power source, it uses a single AAA size battery. The battery is operational for three months without a need to recharge.

You can connect Rolly to two devices at the same time, and you can switch between these devices pressing a button.

If you don’t prefer virtual keyboard alternatives, you can purchase an LG Rolly.

Ahmet Aksoy

References:

Kas 182015
 
4.806 views

Your suitcase follows you

hop-suitcaseYour suitcase is following you. What a bright idea!
The project starts in 2012. Its name is “Hop! The following suitcase”.

See the description of the project:
“Hop is a suitcase that follows the user. Represents the next generation of luggage, the following. The suitcase contains three receivers that are able to receive, identify and triangulate different signals coming from the user’s cell phone. A microcontroller interprets these signals calculating the phone’s position regarding to the suitcase. The same microcontroller operates a caterpillar system based on compressed air, which follows the user at a constant distance. If the signal is lost the user is alerted by the vibration of the phone and suitcase locks itself. The bags can be programmed to follow one to another or are controlled jointly by the staff that handles the baggage at airports or stations. If a suitcase can move by itself, besides facilitating the lives of a large number of travellers, families, disabled people, … could also spare all the elements that moves externally the baggage (conveyor belts , carts, …)

The clearest reference are the bellhops, people who moves the luggage of a few privileged customers. With current technology that is present today in lawn mowers or automatic vacuum cleaners, a suitcase can embed the function of the bellhop.”

Actually this project does not look very successful yet. However technological advancements in remote control technology and robotics might create some better new solutions.

I like the idea of my suitcase following me like my pet (or a walking drone).

hop! the following suitcase from rodrigo garcía on Vimeo.

Ahmet Aksoy

References:

Kas 152015
 
5.621 views

Tweel Wheels

Tweel Wheels

Photo credits: sclick.net

Michelin company introduce a new concept for tires. The new tire type is called TWEEL (a composite name coming from tire and wheel).

Tweel system is summarized as No Maintenance – No Compromise – No Downtime.

Tweels are airless radial tires. They need no maintenance.

Tweel Wheels

Image from: sclick.net

Watch the following video for technical details:

In wikipedia, benefits are defined as follows: “Potential benefits of the Tweel include not only the obvious safety and convenience of never having flat tires, but also, in automotive applications, the Tweel airless tire has the potential to be able to break a significant performance compromise that is inherent to pneumatic tires. Unlike a pneumatic tire, a Tweel can be designed to have high lateral stiffness while simultaneously having low vertical stiffness.”

The new nano-materials provide durable and light solutions for these types of tires. In future we can see them everywhere.

Ahmet Aksoy

References: