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Oct 23, 2015

Artificial Intelligence Is A Big Part Of Your Life, Just Don’t Buy The Hollywood Hype

Posted by in categories: automation, business, disruptive technology, economics, robotics/AI

Ask just about anyone on the street to describe artificial intelligence and odds are, they’ll describe something resembling the futuristic science fiction robot they’ve seen in movies and television shows. However, according to Mathematician, Linguist and Artificial Intelligence Researcher Dr. András Kornai, artificial intelligence is a reality right now, and its impact can be seen every day.

“I’d say 35 percent of the total commerce taking place on Wall Street (right now) is driven by algorithms and it’s no longer driven by humans,” Kornai said. “This is not science fiction. (Artificial intelligence) is with us today.”

What we’ve seen so far in the application of algorithm-based artificial intelligence in the financial sector is just the tip of the iceberg, Kornai said. In fact, you don’t even have to own stock to be affected by it.

“I have designed algorithms that will (determine) your creditworthiness, meaning your creditworthiness is now determined by an algorithm,” he said. “We have substituted human-decision making capabilities in favor of better algorithms to pursue this, and we have given up a huge area of human competence, and money is just one aspect of it.”

Continue reading “Artificial Intelligence Is A Big Part Of Your Life, Just Don’t Buy The Hollywood Hype” »

Oct 23, 2015

Cross Country Truckin‘: Russian Driverless Trucks to Tour European Russia

Posted by in category: robotics/AI

Kamaz’s new driverless trucks, already undergoing extensive testing, is set to go on a tour of European Russia. Beginning next year, testing will begin on the Moscow-St. Petersburg motorway. After that, the company plans to take its creation on a real cross-continental road trip, from Helsinki to Beijing.

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Oct 23, 2015

Feature: The bizarre reactor that might save nuclear fusion

Posted by in category: nuclear energy

Some nice photos of odd-looking components.


Germany’s new stellarator was “hell on Earth” to build, but it will be worth it—if it works.

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Oct 23, 2015

Why Self-Driving Cars Must Be Programmed to Kill

Posted by in categories: information science, robotics/AI, transportation

Self-driving cars are already cruising the streets. But before they can become widespread, carmakers must solve an impossible ethical dilemma of algorithmic morality.

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Oct 23, 2015

‘Zeno effect’ verified: Atoms won’t move while you watch

Posted by in categories: particle physics, quantum physics

One of the oddest predictions of quantum theory — that a system can’t change while you’re watching it — has been confirmed in an experiment by physicists.

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Oct 22, 2015

Top EU court rules Bitcoin exchange tax-free in Europe

Posted by in category: bitcoin

The EU’s top court ruled Thursday that the exchange of Bitcoin and other virtual currencies should be treated just like traditional money in Europe and not incur any sales tax.

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Oct 22, 2015

Haptics Technology: Soon, We Might Be Able To ‘Feel’ Cyberspace

Posted by in categories: computing, electronics, mobile phones, neuroscience, virtual reality

Haptics is a growing field that aims to allow our bodies to control and ultimately ‘feel’ our virtual identity. Instead of using the theorized mechanism of a neural computer link, haptic tech attaches sensors and stimuli to our body. A report by research firm Markets and Markets thinks haptic technology, which could soon include something like a glove that let’s you move a hand in cyberspace, will be worth 30 billion by 2020.

Haptic technology, also known as kinesthetic communication, sounds like something out of science fiction. But products, like the vibrating cell phone, have been out for decades. And there’s more advanced systems on the way. That’s partly because of another hyped field: virtual reality. With pioneering virtual reality headsets like the Oculus Rift poised for release next year, the question becomes: How to make this experience even more immersive.

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Oct 22, 2015

New graphene based inks for high-speed manufacturing of printed electronics

Posted by in categories: electronics, materials, particle physics

A low-cost, high-speed method for printing graphene inks using a conventional roll-to-roll printing process, like that used to print newspapers and crisp packets, could open up a wide range of practical applications, including inexpensive printed electronics, intelligent packaging and disposable sensors.

Developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge in collaboration with Cambridge-based technology company Novalia, the method allows graphene and other electrically conducting materials to be added to conventional water-based inks and printed using typical commercial equipment, the first time that graphene has been used for printing on a large-scale commercial printing press at high speed.

Graphene is a two-dimensional sheet of carbon atoms, just one atom thick. Its flexibility, optical transparency and electrical conductivity make it suitable for a wide range of applications, including printed electronics. Although numerous laboratory prototypes have been demonstrated around the world, widespread commercial use of graphene is yet to be realised.

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Oct 22, 2015

Moon Express will launch the first privately-backed mission to the Moon in 2017

Posted by in categories: robotics/AI, space

The primary objective of the mission is to find rare Earth elements that the team believes to be abundant on the moon.

California-based Moon Express is planning to make the first ever private moon landing by 2017. Their plan includes a series of robotic spacecraft intended to explore the moon’s surface and the possibility of commercial development. The company has teamed up with Rocket Lab to help launch their robotic spacecraft into the atmosphere. Rocket Lab uses battery-powered rocket engines that are cheaper than traditional engines.

If the plan succeeds, this is going to be the first ever privately-backed venture to achieve a lunar landing, and will hopefully encourage other enterprises to follow suit. From a financial perspective, the primary objective of this mission is to find rare Earth elements that the team believes are largely abundant on the Moon. If these elements are indeed found we can expect a new-age mini-lunar race to ensue.

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Oct 22, 2015

Arctic Explorers Uncover (and Eat) 60-Year-Old Food Stash — By Danny Lewis | Smithsonian.com

Posted by in categories: education, food, geography

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“While exploring the coldest parts of the planet, even the smallest snacks can be a lifesaver. In case of emergencies (or sometimes to for a future treat), polar explorers will leave caches of food and supplies along their return route. … Recently, a teams of researchers camped out in Greenland’s arctic desert discovered one such cache—ration tins left behind by an expedition about 60 years ago.”

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