Math Is Fun Forum
You are not logged in.
- Topics: Active | Unanswered
#1 2007-02-28 00:22:20
- MathsIsFun
- Administrator
- Registered: 2005-01-21
- Posts: 7,711
Robot Walks Like Us
http://paulgraham.com/anybots.html
A sign of things to come.
"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..." - Leon M. Lederman
Offline
#2 2007-02-28 03:19:50
- Ricky
- Moderator
- Registered: 2005-12-04
- Posts: 3,791
Re: Robot Walks Like Us
I may be getting off on a tangent, but given this video, how long do you think it will be before we can create a robot that can move as a human. Doesn't have to look or act like one, but I mean something that can run, skip, jump, crouch, etc.
Make your predictions here.
2036
"In the real world, this would be a problem. But in mathematics, we can just define a place where this problem doesn't exist. So we'll go ahead and do that now..."
Offline
#3 2007-02-28 03:35:31
- mathsyperson
- Moderator
- Registered: 2005-06-22
- Posts: 4,900
Re: Robot Walks Like Us
I think that getting to this stage from scratch would be much harder than getting to the running/skipping/jumping etc. stage from here.
Of course, it largely depends on how much work is put into it by scientists. I think that around 2010 would be a good estimate though.
Why did the vector cross the road?
It wanted to be normal.
Offline
#4 2007-02-28 03:50:27
- Dross
- Member
- Registered: 2006-08-24
- Posts: 325
Re: Robot Walks Like Us
I am SO getting one of those next christmas. 
Bad speling makes me [sic]
Offline
#5 2007-02-28 08:25:27
- MathsIsFun
- Administrator
- Registered: 2005-01-21
- Posts: 7,711
Re: Robot Walks Like Us
By next Christmas everyone will want "Robo-shakiens"
But a life-size steady version? 2017 is my guess.
"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..." - Leon M. Lederman
Offline
#6 2007-02-28 11:11:12
- power man
- Member
- Registered: 2006-12-26
- Posts: 160
Re: Robot Walks Like Us
scary robot
I hate people who hate people.
most people make mistakes, butt not me! 
why is it when you are writing something important you run out of spa
Offline
#7 2007-03-01 00:09:27
- Toast
- Real Member
- Registered: 2006-10-08
- Posts: 1,321
Re: Robot Walks Like Us
This reminds me, I just watched a video with a bunch of facts.
There were several near the end that were interesting:
Prediction are that by 2013 a supercomputer will be built that exceeds the computational capability of the human brain.
(So that by 2023, when now first graders will be 23 and doing their first career, a $1000 computer will be able to exceed their brain capabilities)
Predictions are that by 2049 a $1000 computer will exceed the computational capabilities of the human race.
http://www.videosift.com/video/Eye-opening-Stats
Interesting.
Offline
#8 2007-03-01 01:01:51
- mathsyperson
- Moderator
- Registered: 2005-06-22
- Posts: 4,900
Re: Robot Walks Like Us
Heh. I just saw that video somewhere else, and was thinking about posting it. Great minds and all that. 
Why did the vector cross the road?
It wanted to be normal.
Offline
#9 2007-03-01 01:23:01
- Anthony.R.Brown
- Banned
- Registered: 2006-11-16
- Posts: 516
Re: Robot Walks Like Us
To Toast!
No Matter how power full Computers get! will they ever be able to answer the ultimate Question below!
WHY!
Offline
#10 2007-03-01 01:54:30
- Ricky
- Moderator
- Registered: 2005-12-04
- Posts: 3,791
Re: Robot Walks Like Us
Nor will they be able to answer the question, "What does blue taste like?" After all, it is just as valid a question as, "Why?"
"In the real world, this would be a problem. But in mathematics, we can just define a place where this problem doesn't exist. So we'll go ahead and do that now..."
Offline
#11 2007-03-01 02:22:28
- mathsyperson
- Moderator
- Registered: 2005-06-22
- Posts: 4,900
Re: Robot Walks Like Us
What Ricky said. The reason that computers won't be able to answer a question such as "Why?" is that such a question makes no sense and so is unanswerable without further details of what exactly the why is about.
Why did the vector cross the road?
It wanted to be normal.
Offline
#12 2007-03-01 02:28:13
- Dross
- Member
- Registered: 2006-08-24
- Posts: 325
Re: Robot Walks Like Us
Bad speling makes me [sic]
Offline
#13 2007-03-01 02:36:58
- Toast
- Real Member
- Registered: 2006-10-08
- Posts: 1,321
Re: Robot Walks Like Us
Bah! I had a feeling it would be that.
Offline
#14 2007-03-02 02:08:21
- Anthony.R.Brown
- Banned
- Registered: 2006-11-16
- Posts: 516
Re: Robot Walks Like Us
Quote:
" What Ricky said. The reason that computers won't be able to answer a question such as "Why?" is that such a question makes no sense and so is unanswerable without further details of what exactly the why is about. "
A.R.B
Thank you for agreeing with me! it makes no sense concerning logical discussion!
but deep within "WHY!" there is a lot to be found! Humans have tried and some have understanding! but I'm sure Computers have no Chance!!
Offline
#15 2007-03-02 03:19:14
- Ricky
- Moderator
- Registered: 2005-12-04
- Posts: 3,791
Re: Robot Walks Like Us
Anthony, humans have no chance. The question is unanswerable simply because it doesn't make sense. What's the sound of one hand clapping?
"In the real world, this would be a problem. But in mathematics, we can just define a place where this problem doesn't exist. So we'll go ahead and do that now..."
Offline
#16 2007-03-03 00:48:52
- Anthony.R.Brown
- Banned
- Registered: 2006-11-16
- Posts: 516
Re: Robot Walks Like Us
Quote:
" it doesn't make sense. "
A.R.B
Talk to a Philosopher about the Question? they may then be able to explain to you Why it makes sense!!
Offline
#17 2007-03-03 00:52:13
- Toast
- Real Member
- Registered: 2006-10-08
- Posts: 1,321
Re: Robot Walks Like Us
I heard someone took philosophy, and on his final exam, got one question, and several pages of lines. The question was 'why?'.
Ugh. I do not want to do philosophy for my VCE!
Last edited by Toast (2007-03-03 00:52:40)
Offline
#18 2007-03-03 02:20:27
- mathsyperson
- Moderator
- Registered: 2005-06-22
- Posts: 4,900
Re: Robot Walks Like Us
A philosopher won't be able to explain why it makes sense. They'll just argue that you can't say that it doesn't make sense.
Why did the vector cross the road?
It wanted to be normal.
Offline
#19 2007-03-03 05:17:11
- Zhylliolom
- Real Member
- Registered: 2005-09-05
- Posts: 412
Re: Robot Walks Like Us
I heard someone took philosophy, and on his final exam, got one question, and several pages of lines. The question was 'why?'.
Ugh. I do not want to do philosophy for my VCE!
The answer is "Why not?"
Offline
#20 2007-03-03 05:38:19
- Ricky
- Moderator
- Registered: 2005-12-04
- Posts: 3,791
Re: Robot Walks Like Us
A similar tale:
Some school had an essay question on the application, "What is courage?" and a student wrote as a response, "This is courage." and got accepted.
"In the real world, this would be a problem. But in mathematics, we can just define a place where this problem doesn't exist. So we'll go ahead and do that now..."
Offline
#21 2007-03-03 05:46:01
- Toast
- Real Member
- Registered: 2006-10-08
- Posts: 1,321
Re: Robot Walks Like Us
Are those really true stories though? I kind of find it hard to believe that a teacher or examiner would really appreciate a 2-3 word answer, no matter how meaningful it may be.
Offline
#22 2007-03-03 05:52:39
- Ricky
- Moderator
- Registered: 2005-12-04
- Posts: 3,791
Re: Robot Walks Like Us
Are those really true stories though?
Does it matter? I am reminded by a book by Tim O'Brien, "The Things They Carried." In it, he details a story of a solider who was in his foxhole with some buddies. A grenade falls in the foxhole, and in a truly courageous act, he jumps on it and saves his friends from certain death. Later, he remarks that the story isn't entirely true. The solider did actually jump on the grenade, but his friends all still died. But does it matter to the reader whether the stories are actually true, so long as the emotion the reader receives from them is the same?
Just something to think about...
And it's a good book too, if you're looking for something to read.
"In the real world, this would be a problem. But in mathematics, we can just define a place where this problem doesn't exist. So we'll go ahead and do that now..."
Offline
#23 2007-03-03 05:55:18
- Zhylliolom
- Real Member
- Registered: 2005-09-05
- Posts: 412
Re: Robot Walks Like Us
As far as I can tell they are urban legends, it is really had to tell if it really did happen since there are so many schools around the world. But if I were a teacher I would definitely appreciate a witty answer on such questions. "Why?" is kind of an asinine question and I wouldn't be expecting students to do much with it... it might be put on as a random question which has no real answer or weight on your grade. But in a philosophy course, who knows what to expect as an answer. "What is courage?" is much more answerable and I might be looking for an actual answer to it. If a student handed me the answer "This is" to "What is courage?" I'd hand it back with "No, that's stupidity" and a big "0" written on it in red ink, just to be a jerk.
Offline
#24 2007-03-03 08:29:05
- Ricky
- Moderator
- Registered: 2005-12-04
- Posts: 3,791
Re: Robot Walks Like Us
With what Zhylliolom said, I would grade correctness to such questions by how much the students objected to the question itself.
"In the real world, this would be a problem. But in mathematics, we can just define a place where this problem doesn't exist. So we'll go ahead and do that now..."
Offline
#25 2007-03-03 09:46:49
- MathsIsFun
- Administrator
- Registered: 2005-01-21
- Posts: 7,711
Re: Robot Walks Like Us
What's the sound of one hand clapping?
Didn't Bart Simpson answer that by flipping his fingers down to his palm a few times?
"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..." - Leon M. Lederman
Offline