The State of Robotics

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Robots & Sci-Fi win real Robots in the Next Decade win real

Date:	02-02-04
Host:	George Noory
Guests:	Robert Hogg

Robert Hogg, a JPL robotics engineer, discussed how robots have moved from the realm of science-fiction into science fact. While growing up, he said he was inspired by visions of the future in books such as Battlefield Earth(1) and I, Robot(2).

Working in JPL's Mobility Systems Concept Development section, Hogg's said he has been concerned with putting together robots that are capable of traversing any type of surface that humans would like them to explore in the solar system (such as the Rovers currently on Mars). Sony's robotic dog Aibo(3) and an inexpensive robot vacuum cleaner are two inventions which have successfully moved robotics into the home, Hogg noted. However he is not concerned that robots may eventually try to take over. They still have something very basic missing, he said, though he added that IBM's Deep Blue, through sheer computation power, was able to defeat chess master Gary Kasparov.
Nanotechnology will eventually allow for the miniaturization of robotics. Describing one such usage, he said it will be possible to inject a nano-agent into a syringe that could treat or repair internal medical problems.

1. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1592120539/ctoc
2. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0553294385/ctoc
3. http://www.sony.net/Products/aibo/

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Bumper Music

Bumper music from Monday February 02, 2004

1.	Beginnings Chicago	2.	End of the Innocence Don Henley	3.	Faithfully Journey
4.	Here Comes the Rain Again Eurythmics	5.	I Know You're Out There Somewhere Moody Blues	6.	Inca Dance Cusco
7.	It's Raining Again Supertramp	8.	Lady in Red Chris De Burgh	9.	Love Her Madly The Doors
10.	Midnight Express (The Chase) Giorgio Moroder	11.	Midnight Express (The Chase) Giorgio Moroder	12.	Rhythm of Love Yes
13.	Rocket Man Elton John	14.	Unchained Melody Righteous Bros.	15.	Unchained Melody Willie Nelson
16.	Walking in Memphis Marc Cohn	17.	Your Wildest Dreams Moody Blues	18.	Band on the Run Paul McCartney & Wings