Researchers create robot with "human soul"

Researchers at Munich University are looking to put a little more of a human touch into robotics with their latest project, a remotely-controlled bot intended for use in dangerous situations. The wheeled robot packs twin cameras on its noggin' to provide a clear view to the person controlling it, who can manipulate the robot's arm and fingers using a data glove and force-feedback interface, and view all the action from the relative comfort of a head-mounted display. While it's stuck on wheels at the moment, the researchers eventually hope to make a fully mobile bipedal robot that can be controlled by someone wearing a complete exoskeleton. Alright, so being remote-controlled doesn't technically make it a "robot" -- at least not until our brave bucket 'o bolts here finally gets a clue after having its arm reattached for the umpteenth time after yet another unsuccessful bomb diffusion.

[Ali @ Nov 23rd 2006 1:18PM]

Nice just dont use it for war which is what robotics are mostly going to be used for :|

[Jamaicanbwoydre @ Nov 23rd 2006 1:20PM]

I for one welcome our soulful metal overlords...

[zdvil @ Nov 23rd 2006 1:27PM]

I was thinking the same thing Jonathan Zencovich.
instantly thought of that movie when i saw the picture.

[Hugh Jass @ Nov 23rd 2006 2:17PM]

"Noggin" is the complete spelling of the word. No apostrophe.

[engadget @ Nov 23rd 2006 2:19PM]

Cyberdyne was supposed to go online April of 1997. Sarah Conners of the world beware and don't name your sons John.

[engadget @ Nov 23rd 2006 2:23PM]

P.S. The photo is from one of the Short Circuit movies: http://imdb.com/title/tt0091949/

[Huey2k2 @ Nov 23rd 2006 2:28PM]

The Cylons are attacking!

[dfgdfgdfg @ Nov 23rd 2006 5:31PM]

Small correction: Munich has two universities, this is (as one would expect) from the TU (technical university).

[mct75 @ Nov 23rd 2006 10:21PM]

Johnny Five FTW

engadget++;

[Vinn @ Nov 24th 2006 2:37AM]

Haha perfect picture. Sounds cool, I hope it doesn't kill us all.