The Age of Robots ~ City of the Future

Today on Far Future Horizons we present the third episode of “The Age of Robots”.

By the year 2050, three quarters of the world’s population will live in urban areas. Robots will be a large component of the city of the future.

The Age of Robots ~ Bioinspired Robots

Today on Far Future Horizons we present the second episode of “The Age of Robots”.

In this instalment, we look at robots whose design was inspired by biology, evolution and the natural world.

The Age of Robots ~ Humanoid Robots

Today on Far Future Horizons we introduce an exciting new six part series titled “The Age of Robots”.

In the first episode of this series we will look at humanoid robots.

Happy Boxing Day with Robbie the Robot

Today dear readers we celebrate Boxing Day with two film classics from the 1950s staring the one and only Robbie the Robot.

Robby the Robot is a fictional character who has made a number of appearances in science fiction movies and television programs after his first appearance in the 1956 MGM science fiction film Forbidden Planet. 

The Rise of the Robots

Today on Far Future Horizons we present another exciting episode of the award-winning PBS documentary series NOVA ~ Rise of the Robots, which aired on February 24th, 2016.

How will human-like robots change our future and how we see ourselves?

Are Robots The Future of Human Evolution?

Homo Cyberneticus

Will the human species take the course of its future evolution into its own hands by merging the human mind with advances in artificial intelligence and the body with advances in robotics and bionics?

Are Homo sapiens evolving into Homo Cyberneticus?

Today on Far Future Horizons we join veteran actor Morgan Freeman in another outstanding episode of the acclaimed Science Channel documentary series Through the Wormhole which explores the question - Are Robots The Future of Human Evolution?

Sci-Fi Science – Shape shifting Transformer

Today on Far Future Horizons we join Dr Michio Kaku for another exciting installment of Sci Fi Science. According to Hollywood, evil robots are all around us, disguised as cars and trucks. But what the movies don't explain is what kind of mechanical power allows a Chevrolet Camaro to stand up and move around like a human. Dr. Michio Kaku is on a quest to build a real life shape shifting Transformer robot.

Building a Sci-Fi Robot

From Terminator to Star Wars, no Sci Fi blockbuster motion picture would be complete without a shape shifting intelligent robot.

How to Build a Bionic Man

Today on Far Future Horizons we present a documentary about a team of roboticists that are creating the first ever complete bionic man. Where could this technology lead?

Cynthia Breazeal’s Personal Robots

Today on Far Future Horizons we explore developments in personal robotics. Cynthia Breazeal’s eminently charming and huggable creatures appear to have stepped out of Santa’s North Pole workshop.

Where's My Robot?

Today on Far Future Horizons we present the BBC Horizon documentary Where's My Robot? In today’s video feature we follow British filmmaker, comedian, writer and presenter Danny Wallace in his quest to find a robot that walks and talks just like him.

Real Terminator Robots

Robots that think, move like humans and fight our wars. Imagine a world where Real Terminator Robots really exist and have abrogated Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics.

At leading universities and covert government labs, robots are now being developed in man's image; cyborgs with superhuman strength, machines that may eventually be able to make decisions, even kill on their own. But will these very robots designed to protect us ultimately turn on their masters?

How to Survive A Robot Uprising

Today on Far Future Horizons we present another exciting installment of Dr. Michio Kaku’s acclaimed television series “Sci Fi Science”. How would humanity survive a Robot Uprising as depicted in such motion pictures as The Terminator (1984) and I, Robot (2004).

Bring It On Bots

Heron of Alexandria

Today on Far Future Horizons we present another exciting episode of the History Channel’s acclaimed documentary series “Ancient Discoveries” which focuses on one of the greatest engineers, inventors and Roboticists of antiquity – Heron of Alexandria.

Heron of Alexandria was a Greek mathematician and engineer who was lived and worked in his native city of Alexandria. He is considered the greatest experimenter of antiquity and his work is representative of the Hellenistic scientific tradition.

Heron published a well recognized description of a steam-powered device called an aeolipile (hence sometimes called a "Heron engine"). Among his most famous inventions was a wind wheel (or windmill), constituting the earliest instance of harnessing of wind energy. Heron was also a pioneer in early robotics and automation. 

Some of his ideas were derived from the works of Tesibius (the inventor of the first mechanical clock).

The Rise of the Robosapiens

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.

 

Mechanical Marvels - Clockwork Dreams

Today on Far Future Horizons we present the BBC Documentary Mechanical Marvels: Clockwork Dreams hosted by Professor Simon Schaffer which charts the amazing and untold story of automata - extraordinary clockwork machines designed hundreds of years ago to mimic and recreate life.

Ancient Robots

We think of the robot as a twentieth century conceptual invention. The word robot was introduced to the public by the Czech writer Karel Čapek in his play R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots), published in 1920. However the idea of the robot, as an artificial human or life form can be traced back to classical antiquity.

Legend has it that Hephaestus, the ancient Greek god of fire, metalworking and handicrafts, “forged” two dozen copper tripods, which could move about the place “on the golden wheels” as if they were self-propelled (or automatic?). The devices are said to have been used for rendering services to gods who visited Hephaestus. Could they be some kind of a remote-controlled robot or automatic means of transporting?

Today on Far Future Horizons we present “Ancient Robots” an episode from the acclaimed History Channel documentary series “Ancient Discoveries”.