Surprising Science — April 25, 2012

NAO

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

The NAO is a fully programmable, 57cm humanoid robot made by Alderaban Robotics.

This cute robot contains a full array of body language, text and visual recognition, as well as the ability to connect to other devices in your home and other NAOs. The robot’s ease of use and likability has made it a valuable research tool in over 350 universities around the world in fields as diverse as navigation and autism.

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A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

A close-up of a reddish-orange engraving shows an elderly man with a beard and focused expression, as though he's reflecting on the wisdom found in books.

Thinking

3 philosophy classics that are better than self-help books

Self-help often distills philosophical ideas for the modern ear. Sometimes, its better to go back to the source.

A grand, ornate setting with three figures in flowing attire standing before a large, luminous circular window overlooking a vibrant cityscape.

High Culture

Why we need a better Turing test for AI art

With no reliable way to discern the author of an artwork, we may eventually abandon the question of whether something was made by humans or not.

Two scientists in lab coats and gloves examine a small transparent plate with colorful dots, held by tweezers, in a laboratory setting.

The Future

The big problems driving nanotech development

It’s been 65 years since Richard Feynman saw “plenty of room” in the nano-world. Are we finally getting down there?

A robotic prosthetic arm with visible internal mechanisms, wires, and a mechanical hand. Labels such as "SFU" and "BESOM" are visible on the arm casing.

The Present

The Cybathlon: Bionic athletes compete for the gold — and push assistive technologies forward

In the international competition, people with physical disabilities put state-of-the-art devices to the test as they race to complete the tasks of everyday life.

Microscopic image of a small electronic component with clear details of its structure and connections against a gray background.

The Future

Making microbots smart

What would it take to create a truly intelligent microbot, one that can operate independently?

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