Sadly, John Backus, the creator of the first high level programming language has passed on.

Wired for success

March 8, 2007
BY KORIE WILKINS
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

Cheerleaders will be rooting for their favorite team. Mascots will hype the crowds. And thousands of frenzied fans will descend upon Eastern Michigan University to witness the competition.

They won't be in Ypsilanti for the big game. Rather, thousands will attend the Great Lakes Regional FIRST Robotics Competition, which organizers bill as a varsity sport for the mind.

Linux Robot highlighted on French TV

This marks the continuation of of a new trend of partnership between French and Japanese researchers which began with the establishment of the JRL (Joint Japanese-French Robotics Laboratory) based in both Japan (Tsukuba) and France (Toulouse-LAAS and Montpellier-LIRMM)

The second humanoid robot in France (EurekAlert!)
The HOAP3 humanoid robot has just arrived at the Laboratory for Computer Science, Robotics and Microelectronics of Montpellier (LIRMM – CNRS – University of Montpellier 2). This platform supplements the one that was installed at the LAAS in Toulouse last June. They were both made in Japan and r ...

DARPA is holding a contest touted to be the beginning of the end for development in the area of artificially intelligent vehicles.  Predictions are that these cars will be better drivers than humans within a couple of decades.  Following that milestone, a decade or so later, our comfort level should make them commonplace.  Original Story follows:

Enter 'Junior': Stanford Team's Next-generation Robot Joins DARPA Urban Challenge (Science Daily)
When five autonomous vehicles, including the Stanford Racing Team's winning entry "Stanley," finished the 2005 Grand Challenge in the still ...

The delivery of a new HOAP3 humanoid robot marks the continuation of a new trend of cooperation between Japanese and French researchers.  This trend was established by the formation of the JRL (Joint Japanese-French Robotics Laboratory) based in both Japan (Tsukuba) and France (Toulouse-LAAS and Montpellier-LIRMM).

The second humanoid robot in France (EurekAlert!)
The HOAP3 humanoid robot has just arrived at the Laboratory for Computer Science, Robotics and Microelectronics of Montpellier (LIRMM – CNRS – University of Montpellier 2). This platform supplements the one that was installed at the LAAS in Toulouse last June. They ...

David Gelertner and Ray Kurzweil square off on the question of whether Artificial Intelligence is really a possiblity.

See the video here:

If Intel's new boast about a chip the size of a fingernail that runs at teraflop speed is true, it will open the door for great advances in computing.  Artificial Intelligence may become possible in portable applications, e.g. robots.  Can you imagine an ASIMO powered by a matrix of these new chips?  Maybe we would call him Intelli MO.

Intel unveils super-chip technology (The Manila Times)
Intel has touted a diminutive new microprocessor that it said could deliver "supercomputer-like" performance to home computers and handheld devices.

What are the philosophical, moral, and societal implications when the cost of an Asimo companion comes down to the cost of a family sedan?  How about if the cost came down to the cost of a big screen T.V.?

A robot for every human (KING 5 Seattle)
A major car company has gotten in on the robot-making action and they won't stop until there's a humanoid for almost every human.

What's the hottest new way to predict the households most likely to use your product?  Use Genetic Algorithms.

Special delivery (Boston Globe)
Genalytics is trying to take the junk out of junk mail. Using patented software capable of analyzing more than 500 variables per household, the Andover company predicts for its clients which homes are more or less likely to order a pizza, hire a maid, or purchase furniture.

Microsoft Robotics Studio expected to expedite development efforts, one Nigerian firm VIA has announced full support.

Nigeria: VIA Partners Microsoft for Robotics Studio (AllAfrica.com)
VIA Technologies, a leading innovator and developer of silicon chip technologies and PC platform solutions, has announced full support for Microsoft Robotics Studio, a new Windows-based environment that simplifies the creation of robotics applications, across all VIA processor platforms and the acclaimed range of ultra compact VIA EPIA main boards.

Recent research into mirror neurons  may hold the key to understanding autism.

Ped Med: Autism tied to neural 'cracks' (UPI)
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- In prying beneath the brain surface of autistic patients, researchers have discovered "cracks" in a system of nerve cells called mirror neurons, which under normal circumstances permit people to see a clear reflection of the actions of others and respond appropriately to them.