Self-Replicating Robots
May 11, 2005 2:31 PM   Subscribe

Self-Replicating Robots are here! (.wmv)
posted by Guerilla (23 comments total)
 
That video is truly awesome. Now bring on the more complex structures!
posted by swordfishtrombones at 2:37 PM on May 11, 2005


We are the Plastic Blocks. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.
posted by lazy-ville at 2:47 PM on May 11, 2005


Hehe. I for one welcome our new plastic block overlords ;>
posted by tommyc at 2:49 PM on May 11, 2005


lazy-ville beat me to it. They even have that kinda-fleshy borg skin too.
posted by buzzman at 2:53 PM on May 11, 2005


So are they going to use that to rebuild the WTC?
posted by Pretty_Generic at 2:57 PM on May 11, 2005


Well, not exactly like it's making itself out of common materials. I think the fly-eating robot is much cooler. Perhaps someday we will have self-replicating, rat brained, fly-eating robots doing our work for us. I for one, will welcome them as our new overlords.
posted by Citizen Premier at 3:09 PM on May 11, 2005


I don't know if this really qualifies as self-replicating.
posted by DigDugDag at 3:12 PM on May 11, 2005


THey aren't exactly self replicating, any more than a big train can split into two little trains.
Unless the plastic blocks can MAKE other little plastic boxes...
posted by Balisong at 3:15 PM on May 11, 2005


Mpeg

It looks and sounds sexy. Maybe it's the flesh colour...
posted by kika at 3:34 PM on May 11, 2005


kika should go out and rent "eXistenZ". Buy some tissues.
posted by Pretty_Generic at 3:56 PM on May 11, 2005


"Mommy, where do little robots come from?"
posted by riffraff at 4:07 PM on May 11, 2005


The robots are interesting in themselves, but that is the most contrived possible demonstration of "self-replication". They even cut halfway through!
posted by breath at 4:20 PM on May 11, 2005


This can hardly be considered self-replicating, in my opinion. It's more like assembly than replication. It's kind of interesting in a modular robotics kind of way. If those robots could be programmed to do anything other than pick up modules from pre-programmed spots and put them into other pre-programmed spots, it might be more interesting. For example, if the robot had to search around for the modules instead of always having them in a pre-programmed position, it would be a lot more interesting. Also, if the configuration of the modules could be changed to make a large 8-block robot that could do something else, it'd be a lot more impressive. It's still kind of fun to watch, though.
posted by ErWenn at 4:20 PM on May 11, 2005


It is utter nonsense. A robot can build another robot by putting premade robot components together. Big whoop.
posted by Pretty_Generic at 4:21 PM on May 11, 2005


I think the fly-eating robot is much cooler.

You'll be sorry!
posted by homunculus at 4:24 PM on May 11, 2005


Darn, I thought I was the first to think of that sci-fi idea.
posted by Citizen Premier at 4:35 PM on May 11, 2005


Come on now, why all the nay-saying? Self-replicating tofu may hold the key to world famine relief!
posted by hydrophonic at 6:07 PM on May 11, 2005


Is that tofu? I thought so. But honestly, who is going to eat tofu that moves?
posted by Citizen Premier at 7:11 PM on May 11, 2005


But honestly, who is going to eat tofu that moves?
That does seem to sort of defeat the entire point of tofu, doesn't it?
posted by Sangermaine at 7:20 PM on May 11, 2005


Come on now, why all the nay-saying? Self-replicating tofu may hold the key to world famine relief!
But honestly, who is going to eat tofu that moves?
That does seem to sort of defeat the entire point of tofu, doesn't it?

Is this better?
posted by tellurian at 8:26 PM on May 11, 2005


Let's arrange a meeting between these folks, the developers of the robot that's fueled by meat, and the developers of the robot that can run.

"Its gait is rather comical and resembles that of a person trying to creep up quietly."
posted by CynicalKnight at 8:27 AM on May 12, 2005


Those of you who are unimpressed by the movie need to look again. The amazing thing is not the assembly of the parts, but the ability of the robot to spontaneously materialize the parts it needs out of THIN AIR! The Star Trek replicator has got nothing on this baby.
posted by CrunchyGods at 3:00 PM on May 12, 2005


Seriously, though, These robots are assembling themselves out of parts that act independently in single units or as larger cohesive multi-parted wholes. That's pretty incredible.
posted by shmegegge at 4:56 PM on May 12, 2005


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