Those are people in the background. This is Titanoboa, a 50-foot long robotic snake weighing over 2,000-pounds that was modeled after the actual prehistoric snake of the same name and size . I say we kill it and turn it into cowboy boots . Or lady’s handbags — I don’t f***ing care, the important thing is that it’s killed. The final product will have a more polished-looking skin and, if all goes well, be able to move underwater. Eventually, Titanoboa will support a rider, just like its relative, the Mondo Spider, which was built by the same group. Brinson says Titanoboa is supposed to strike terror in people’s hearts by forcing them to contemplate historical climate change. Of cooooooourse — climate change . It was so easy to connect those dots. Giant robotic snake, climate change — like two peas in a pod in an alternate universe where that actually makes any sense. “Don’t you get it? The original Titanoboa was extincted by climate change.” YOU CAN’T PROVE THAT! “Well it’s true.” Oh right, and you just expect me to believe some internet commenter? You said I eat penises in my last article! Hit the jump for a video of Roboconda in action.

More:
Not Cool: Titanoboa, A 50-Foot, 1-Ton Robotic Snake

NOTE: No, I didn’t paint the eyebrows and mouth on in Photoshop, the creepy little f***er actually looks like that. Aberystwyth University (which, based on the name, probably teaches witchcraft) computer science professor James Law (hey — you’re not above it, bro!) has nominated iCub , the creepy robotic child , to be one of the torchbearers in the 2012 Olympic Games in London . *dousing iCub in gasoline and kicking down a hill* Per weak-ass justification: Law has suggested that the iCub robot, which is designed to learn from the world like a human toddler, should be given a chance to take part in the event as a tribute to legendary computer scientist Alan Turing . “2012 will mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Alan Turing, the founder of computer science and a figurehead for the code breaking efforts of WWII,” he said. “A robot torch bearer would be a fitting tribute to Alan Turing, and an inspiration to future generations of scientists and engineers.” Right, because what better way to celebrate physical human achievement than letting a robot participate? THAT MAKES ZERO F***ING SENSE. Listen — I’m all for celebrating Alan Turing, but the Olympics ARE NOT THE PLACE. No, the Olympics are a place for betting on sporting events you only get the opportunity to once every four years . You know, traditions and shit. Robot nominated to carry Olympic flame [newscientist] Thanks to Kane, who gets accosted in the street a lot and accused of killing Abel. No not Cain dammit — Kane, K-A-N-E.

Originally posted here:
Over My Dead Body: Robot Child Nominated To Carry The Olympic Torch In 2012 Games

Seen here looking like the cross between an alien vagina and my monitor about to be covered in pre-chewed breakfast burrito , the robotic armpit designed by Kevin Grennan (who is clearly a sicko to the nth degree) shows off its first pubes. Why make a robotic armpit? GOOD F***ING QUESTION, KEVIN. The idea behind it is that it can interact with humans using their sense of smell. So if this was installed on a bomb-sniffing robot, for example, it could emit the smell of human fear. A nice idea, but if I was hanging out with a robot that had just detected a bomb, I’d want something a little more obvious and clear, like an alarm… The whole thing works by releasing a chemical called androstadienone, which is found in male sweat. My armpits smell like chili-cheese hotdogs with onions and relish aside, you know what else is found in male sweat? Sperm. It’s true, that’s why my bedsheets glow under blacklight. *whistling* This robotic armpit exists for some reason [dvice] Thanks to Robbie, who has a female armpit fetish and said I could tell everyone provided I don’t mention his last name. Benesh . JK JK! Erickson.

Follow this link:
Needs More Axe (The Blade, Not The Body Spray): A Scent-Producing Robotic Armpit

Seen here with an XBox Kinect for a head and about to grope a patient, ‘Cody’ the robot was used in a study conducted by Georgia Tech to learn about how people respond to a robot’s touch . NOT WELL. Boom — study’s a wrap, let’s go drink. “What we found was that how people perceived the intent of the robot was really important to how they responded. So, even though the robot touched people in the same way, if people thought the robot was doing that to clean them, versus doing that to comfort them, it made a significant difference in the way they responded and whether they found that contact favorable or not,” Although Cody touched the subjects in exactly the same way, they reacted more positively when they believed Cody intended to clean their arm versus when they believed Cody intended to comfort them. In addition, Kemp and his research team tested whether people responded more favorably when the robot verbally indicated that it was about to touch them versus touching them without saying anything. “The results suggest that people preferred when the robot did not actually give them the warning,” said Tiffany Chen, doctoral student at Georgia Tech. “We think this might be because they were startled when the robot started speaking, but the results are generally inconclusive.” Regardless of “intent,” I can guarantee I’d respond the same way no matter what: grab whatever touched me (yes, even a peener), break it off, and beat its owner to death with it. Which, fun fact: is my same MO for alien contact. TOUCH MY BUTT, YOU BIG GREEN PERVERT, I DARE YOU! *poke* Ooh la la. Okay that I could get used to. Hit the jump for a brief video explanation.

Follow this link:
STUDY: How Do Humans Respond To A Robot’s Touch? SPOILER: I’d Scream

This is a short video demonstrating Vecna Robotics’ B.E.A.R. (Battlefield Extraction-Assist Robot). It was allegedly designed to help carry wounded soldiers off the battlefield , but the video also shows its adeptness at smashing through doors , breaking car windows , lifting weights, picking up missiles and transforming/rolling out. Truly frightening. Reminds me of that scene in Forrest Gump where Lieutenant Dan gets his legs shot off in Vietnam and tells Forrest to leave him but Forrest won’t because he’s a stupid jerk and can’t even respect a man’s dying wishes. THANK A LOT, MORON. Ooooh, is that shrimp cocktail? Hit the jump for a video of operation Shock ‘n Awe Dismember in action (also available in HD!).

View original post here:
Not Cool: Frightening Robot Demonstration

You ever seen a robot-child pulling a kid around in a rickshaw? Now you have. And I think I speak for all of us when I say, “I want to cut its legs off and steal those glasses”. A creepy kid’s ride where they ride other (robot) kids, in the SM City Marikina mall in the Philippines. This is wrong on so many levels, we don’t know where to begin. Damnit, the Philippines. I’ve already got both hands full(!) keeping Japan’s collective robo-boner in check and you go and pull some shit like this. Believe me, you don’t want to follow in the footsteps of Japan (except for the worn-panty vending machines — those things draw hella-tourism). Youtube Thanks to Dj Azer, who would have tripped that kid and stole his wagon.

More here:
Okaaaay: Child Riding In Robot Slave Buggy