WHO AM I !!!

Let us begin with these pictures before I start.          

Ulysses is thinking... What in the name of Zeus is that thing up there ???

When Ulysses of Ithaca was trapped in the cyclops cave he was asked who he was. Wisely he answered the one eyed creature asking the question that he was 'nobody'.

The cyclops was eating his men and had trapped them in his cave by rolling this very heavy rock to block the entrance. As their leader Ulysses could tolerate such a state of affairs and in typical human fashion he devised a plan. The first part of his plan was to bind the poor creature as he slept. When they had done that the cyclops yelled so loud the others of his kind that lived close by came to the cave to investigate the noise. They asked what was the matter. The blinded monster yelled out " Nobody is hurting me !!" So they turned and walked away.

The reason for this long preamble is that in two instances it has direct connection with the following very personal opinion regarding something I noticed in the news. Stephen Hawking has warned mankind about the dangers of Artificial Intelligence.

Let me state from the outset that I am intelligent and can express myself well, I am in no way comparing myself to Mr. Hawking. I hold him in high respect and am in awe at all he has done. His  superb intelligence is not in question here and his theoretical work is truly amazing. That he continues to work and speak in public is an indication of his great courage. However I strongly disagree about his fear of artificial intelligence.

Before I continue I must make this one point. I personally prefer the term machine intelligence instead of artificial intelligence. The latter term is misleading in the sense that it places in the mind of anyone reading it or hearing it that this kind of intelligence is somehow fake ; i.e. not real. This intelligence, when it makes itself manifest will be real, though a bit different. However it will have substance and be able to interact with its environment. As to how it interacts with the world that surrounds it and the other intelligences that populate our planet is a matter of great debate.

Like all technological revolutions the changes that  occur will be relatively swift and far reaching. We are at the beginning of something that will forever change our world. Yet we have within our great creative power the means to dictate the future evolution of this robotic intelligence.

The seed of what we want our mind children to be is all important. If we plant something to bear beauty , this will be so. Conversely if we want something to be horrible and grow thorns, this choice is from the outset. As I pursue my research I keep a very close eye on what is happening in the rest of the world. Much gives me hope that we are on the right path. However I also notice, especially in North America a very, very disturbing trend. I conduct my robotic research and robot building with a modest budget. Many others do the same and this is fine by us. I control my research direction because I am the one paying for all of it. How can we compete against the millions of dollars being poured into robotic research by the various military organizations around the world. Their ultimate goal is to have autonomous weapons. Regardless how altruistic the media hype they generate that is their final objective. Even though this still is an infant technology, I see what little we know being turned into objects that are destined to destroy and kill those humans we see today as a vicious threat. This is most definitely, completely, absolutely wrong !!!!! It is not well thought out and just plain and simply stupid !!

I recall in my early days of research how I programmed my 64K, TRS-80 Model IV computer in basic to run a robot simulation on its screen. David Heiserman developed the alpha basic for this and other computers. There was a dot on the screen that wandered about a simulated room represented by walls of light on the computer screen. When it hit the wall it would randomly pick another direction  and see if it was blocked. It would then move or pick another direction and try it all over. It could not stop and I happily watched it move about. A simple elaboration would  leave a trail that it could not cross. Eventually after it had moved across most of the screen it would paint itself into one small section. Using a similar approach a very expensive vacuum cleaner has been sold to thousands across the globe.

TRS-80 Model IV ( still works !!!)

So we have one of the most popular misconceptions about robots fulfilled. We have made them slaves !!?? Is that word too harsh. Let us analyze this statement and we shall see that I am very correct in my conclusion. Slavery is the most disgusting, despicable thing one human can do to another. It is immoral, uncivilized and cruel.  How can a creature of this most majestic universe, who has a mind that can contemplate infinity, stoop so low and partake in such a vile act. To own people like they were property. To make the slaves do all the terrible and hard work while the slave owners reap the rewards. Replace humans  with the word robot and you see we are doing again. This time we will have a machine underclass.

I must tip my hat at this point to David L. Heiserman . I learned robotics , reading and applying his wisdom from the many books he wrote. One that had me captivated was the book " How to Build Your Own Self-Programming Robot ". Before I read the chapters that described in exquisite technical detail how to build an actual, true to life, robot, he carefully prepared our minds by explaining what a true robot was in his opinion. This is something I have adopted and support without hesitation.

A true robot must be first and foremost, autonomous. That is whenever he/she/it are not doing the tasks assigned to them, they must be free to pursue goals of their own choosing. Those thinking individuals out there are asking, surely the present level of robotics has not achieved machines of this high calibre. However I counter that our aim in this enterprise should be to produce the superlative not the mediocre. We forget that as we reach for higher and seemingly impossible goals, we as a species will grow, mature and evolve.

Not a single day goes by that I have not thought about those wondrous artifacts. I think about why I am building robots, what material I should use, what type of wire should I connect and other thoughts that are well, nice and comforting to think about. As such what I really know are robots with machine intelligence. I can voice an opinion when it comes to the worlds problems. Sadly I have no answers for the complex problems afflicting our planet. However when a high profile individual points a finger at what I do and says to be scared of it I have no choice but to respond. I have o admit that what Mr. Hawking is referring to is not yet in existence. Some say it will never be possible. Others go to the other extreme and say it is around the corner. Thank goodness robotics is a difficult study an even more difficult application. My advice is to leave robots to the roboticists. The work will progress slowly and surely. The amazing thing in this field is that significant progress will be made by the lone robot builder , working alone and forgotten in his home lab. I  feel if we listen to the better angels of our nature we have nothing to fear !!!!

AUTOMATA

               I was looking for new movies about robots that are not so mainstream. By that I mean not involving amazing and unrealistic looking humanoid robots. We know that machine intelligence will not be housed in such good looking female forms. How sexist with little boy imaginations are these movie producers.

               I use the term machine intelligence because the the term "artificial intelligence " makes most people think it is some how not real. It will be real just different, and that is fine with me.

               Well I found one truly amazing and overlooked film. The boring mainstream media did not put it on my radar , so I am glad I went looking and looking and looking. It is called "Automata" and it weaves a great story with amazing looking robots , which I love to watch. They move and react so lifelike that it sent a chill up my spine. When they spoke I almost cried. 

                For now I will leave you with this video and picture. However I will be back to talk about some more. What is there really to talk about but robots anyway, everything else is soooooooooooooooooooo boring.

You are just a machine ??!!

Wanted, A Few Great Robots !!

    

      I am a simple robot builder, quite ordinary, like most people all around our good earth. I find thinking, planning and building robots very, very rewarding. In my wonderful lab-study I feel safe and secure, Even when I sometimes fail in of my robotic ideas, I feel happy.

     

          Then my mind's eye begins to go outside my lab into my city

my country and finally the world. As complex as building robots actually is, the problems and divergent personalities in this world are complete chaos. I have been on this planet for six decades and I am full of opinions and specific points of view. So are most other thinking humans on this planet and yet I feel sad at the present state of  the world.

The major powers are posturing and threatening and fuming at each other.  To me this type of behavior is very disturbing. Correct me if I am wrong but is this not the twenty-first century. Granted we are in the beginning part of it. My vision, when I was a youth was that in these years there would be much, much, more cooperation and stability. The start of a world more together , not tearing itself apart.

I see my beloved robotic technology used by military types for the wrong purposes in far too many countries. As I have written so many times in so many places, we are a species reaching a tipping point. There are many problems we must solve for our species to survive. As the years pass more problems are discovered. Many brave humans are trying to solve them. However we desperately need help.

Though we may not see it we have help!! Ironically we created it. Robots form the simplest to the most complex are the children of our collective genius. I know with their help the human race will survive and thrive!!!!

As of this long winded note there is much too much about robotic drones. Though I find the conclusions of those who do not know robotic technology amusing at most times, this trend in the media has reached new lows. This new flavor of the week has the robotic ignorant masses enthralled. Though I have my doubts about the size and duration of the power supplies of these flying machines, my biggest complaint is the concept of a robot. For a robot to be a true robot it must be autonomous. No one should be controlling it. From what I have observed, all drones are flown like what they really are, remote controlled toys.

Are we crippling our creations even before they have been built. I know that robotic technology , like all advanced technologies will amplify our human capabilities. Some have amplified our physical attributes. Our modern world abounds with computers and they in a sense amplify our mental capabilities. Now we are at the beginning of a robotic revolution. What human attributes will our intelligent artifacts amplify ???? A very intriguing question.

Human nature has a good side and a darker side. Before there is a collective rolling of the eyes , this conclusion is based on personal observation. There are time we are happy and content and other times when we are sad , upset and even angry. I find I lose my patience when people do not listen to what I am saying. Will the children of our collective genius reflect our good side or our bad side. Robotic technology , much more than any other will definitely be a strong reflection of who we fundamentally are.

 Most of us would like to affect change so the world is a better place. Sadly our power to do so is often very limited. We despair and our hearts become heavy. Cheer up, as robot builders we yield a power that has the capability of transforming our world. We must intensify our efforts and never give up.

Finally, I know in my heart that I must help. That is the purpose of these blogs. I am humbled and amazed that so many people from all over this wonderful world actually read my simple words. I have been open and honest about what is important to me and how I see things in the world. I want to encourage everyone to build robots.

Over the pleasant years I have built several robots. Each is unique and I have kept meticulous notes, comments and schematics. I have taken pictures and videos detailing how they work. As a first step I am going to place all these notes etc, on my blog. It is my sincerest hope that many will read it. I hope it inspires others to think about robots and how they are changing the world. I am placing this stuff out there so that I am granted my wish. My wish is that some others take up my cause, get their hands dirty and build robots.

Some will say that it is hard. Well nothing really worthwhile is ever easy. The challenge is exhilarating and once you immerse yourself you will find that it is very doable. Others will say that you need a zillion parts, tools and equipment, the knowledge is too high for us to reach , let alone understand. That is complete and utter nonsense. I learned most of my robotic knowledge by myself, reading books and building circuits. Most robots can be built form common objects and a few good tools. Most of my parts came from the equipment people discarded as waste.

The task is so much  easier today. Most big cities have places where you can get parts you cannot find. The internet is full of online stores that have mountains of parts at reasonable prices. Information about robotics abounds in cyberspace. To be a roboticist you must become a renaissance person, in that you will learn and master several disciplines and the focus them to build your robot.

Words alone cannot describe the satisfaction you will feel when after a lot of hard work you gaze at your own working robot. I can say from experience that you will never forget it!!!  It will change the world, it will change you !!!

The Mentats have arrived !!

Today I have received my own copy of the most recent DUNE book. The Mentats of Dune is sitting on my lap and I cannot wait to read it. I am proud to say that I have read ALL the Dune books. When you consider that there are now 20 books telling the marvelous saga of that future planet you may think me a bit obsessed. Well after 2.5 million words I cannot get enough of Dune.

To those unfamiliar with Dune I will try to tell you quickly how it all began. It is set in a future where humanity has gone out to the stars. Due to an ancient conflict computers and advanced robots have been banned and people have had to develop their minds. There are groups who struggle under a feudal type of economy based on the spice melange. It is a powerful drug that extends not only life but helps expand the minds of certain individuals. Groups like the Bene Gesserits, navigators and great houses battle each other for power with the emperor

The mentats are special humans who are able to use their minds in a logical ans analytic manner. They are taught to absorb data and make projections much like computers. They assist the great houses and are all important since in this future all artificial intelligence and any, and I do mean type of computer is banned. They have a saying and it is simply that the mind of man is holy. Now we get to learn how it all began.

There is only one place in the known universe that has this most valuable commodity. It is the planet Arrakis otherwise known as Dune. There are no oceans on Dune just great deserts that extend almost to the poles. In this sand the great sand worms of Dune reside. They are 400 meters long and as tall as a three story house.

What is so intriguing about the story are how human the characters are written. As they struggle you get wrapped up in their lives. The story of Dune is far from over.

YUTU made it !!!!

   

   I have been so concerned about Yutu over the past few days . Each time I saw the moon I thought in the direction of where I thought Yutu had landed . I asked the powers that exist to help it survive. Well from the latest reports it has sent a signal. Now those who read this might think I am touched but remember where the word lunatics originates. It was believed that people were driven insane if the rays of the moon touched them.

     I am not crazy, I am excited about the endeavors we as a species attempt. As we reach for the heavens we also reach within ourselves. I do believe we grow wiser with each attempt. We will need this wisdom to overcome the massive problems that we face. An yes I am an idealist because I actually believe that we will solve them.

     Robot builders will be at the forefront of this adventure and our creations will help us survive and thrive. 

      Here is a panoramic view of the moon from Yutu!!

YUTU needs our help !!!!

      

      Help Needed for  ROBOT on THE  MOON!

   I have just heard that the wonderful Moon rover China sent to the moon is in trouble. That is why the western media is picking up the story. Boy it feels good when the other  guys stuff fails to work. I wonder about humanity sometimes. I lie, I wonder about humanity a lot.

 

    I believe that if all those who read my blog just train their thoughts directly at the moon and visualize the Jade Rabbit that it will help. As we are spending at least a few seconds wishing it well we will make a difference.

  I know that if this is done often over the next few days and weeks we shall see that poor robot come back to life. Such is the power of prayer and quantum entanglement!!

YUTU is Awake !!!!!

     Happy New Year everyone who reads this blog !! I have read that Yutu and its Lander are awake and ready to do more exploring !! Yesterday as I was walking home after doing some grocery shopping I looked up at the gibbous moon. I thought about the Chinese Moon Rover and wondered exactly where it would be on the surface. I then realized that part of the moon was still not visible.

     Almost as invisible is the news coverage of this event. If this had been an American rover I do believe that there would a bit more continuous  stream of information. It seems that we are still acting the way we did last year. We should be celebrating this as a human achievement of great proportions. Instead we are more concerned about what some person is wearing to another ultra boring award show.

     Well this is one robot builder that will not let the world forget about that marvelous little machine. I cannot wait to see what it will discover. How very exciting this all is for those of us who care.

You can see the shadow on the MOON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!