| To be able to create a synthetic being that could do | | | | in recent years, and has given us fully automated |
| the mundane chores of our every day lives, has been | | | | weaponry that is able to track a target, and hit it with |
| a goal for us humans for not just the last 20 years, or | | | | pin point accuracy. Voice recognition has given us |
| the last century, but as far back as the ancient | | | | voice activated devices such as those used in security |
| Greeks. In 350 BC, the Greek mathematician Archytas | | | | systems, and the ability to dictate to a computer and |
| built a steam powered mechanical pigeon, that could | | | | have the computer generate the text from a person's |
| fly. In 1495, Leonardo Devinci designed what looked like | | | | verbalisation. Special sensors can be used to test |
| a mechanical Knight. In 1801, Joseph Jacquard built an | | | | (taste,touch) surfaces, chemicals, gasses etc. and |
| automated loom, that was controlled by punch cards. | | | | analyse them. |
| The punch cards being likened to a modern day | | | | The ability to reason with an automated device or |
| computer program, that told the loom how to work. | | | | robot, is one area that is a long way from being a |
| These are but a few examples of robotics and | | | | reality, but an area that has had, and will have many |
| automata of old. To find more, a simple web search | | | | devotees. There are two main branches of research |
| with "history of robots" will bring up a plethora of | | | | when dealing with artificial intelligence and robotics, the |
| information for the budding technologist. | | | | first being the creation of a truly thinking and reasoning |
| When a person is first presented with the term artificial | | | | artificial life form much like the robots and computers |
| intelligence, they, as long as they have at least a | | | | found in fiction, such as Robby from the film The |
| minimal idea of the meaning, immediately conjure up | | | | Forbidden Planet, or Data from Star Trek The Next |
| the view of subservient humanoid robots, doing our | | | | Generation, or the boy from the film Artificial |
| household chores, policing our streets, or taking on our | | | | Intelligence. These, for now, are somewhat whimsical, |
| enemies in a combat zone. These, although being | | | | but should never be given up on, and with future |
| worked on, are quite some way from being a reality. | | | | advances in technology will at some point become a |
| Although, there are robot vacuum cleaners, and | | | | reality. The other branch is the more realistic approach |
| automated (robotic) missiles and vehicles to name but | | | | to making use of the byproducts of the artificial |
| a few, but none of any consequence in human form. | | | | intelligence research, that can be put to use in our day |
| There are many hurdles to be crossed before | | | | to day lives. This side has brought us the computer |
| humanoid robots will become common place, not least | | | | and the parts that make up a computer (e.g. integrated |
| of all, the mostly negative psychological effect realised | | | | circuitry – chips). Automated weaponry and security |
| by many who our uncomfortable with a visually | | | | systems. Automated vehicles and craft, such as spy |
| realistic humanoid automaton. | | | | planes, and trains. Communication systems, such a |
| Walking on two legs, which us humans take for | | | | mobile/cell phones and satellites. In fact, just about |
| granted, had the problem of balance to solve, and has | | | | every electronic device that is made contains some |
| only recently been mastered, as represented by | | | | sort of automation, including cars, vacuum cleaners, |
| mechanoids such as sony's Asimo. And running, | | | | gym equipment, buildings, street lighting... to name but a |
| although done fairly well by Asimo, still needs a good | | | | few. |
| amount of work before being able take on a human | | | | All in all, we would not have the gadget filled |
| athlete on a running track. | | | | electronics eutopia as we do now, if it was not for the |
| Emulating the human senses has provided computer | | | | people such as Charles Babbage, Alan Turing, and |
| scientists and engineers with many an obstacle. | | | | Steve Wozniak, to name but a miniscule number, |
| Mastering sound, vision, touch and taste have been | | | | who pursued their dreams and as a result positively |
| met with varying degrees of success. Sound and | | | | contributed to the world's knowledge of artificial |
| visual recognition has come along in leaps and bounds | | | | intelligence, robotics and computing. |