Today on Far Future Horizons we present Robosapiens.
The field of
robotics is quickly moving toward a new technological horizon: the dawn of the
machine-man. Imagine a robot that not only walks and talks like you - but one
that laughs, cries and even loves like you do. Scientists reveal that truly
humanoid robots - machines with articulate and defined emotions, machines that
can walk, run and play football - are closer to reality than we think. In Japan, fierce
competition is underway to produce robots that will serve as our co-workers at
the office and teammates on the field. Mechanical engineers demonstrate how
they've already developed bipedal bots that effectively mimic the gait and
posture of humans. While in the U.S.,
researchers focus on more practical applications - robots for the military and
police. But, according to software engineers, the greatest technical challenge
is producing robots that can interact emotionally with humans, by speaking to
us and responding to our emotions - even developing and manifesting their own
feelings. Designers use the very latest robotic prototypes to show how the
formerly broad line between man and machine is growing thinner every day.
