The Age of Robots
We're close to making humanlike machines. It's time to reckon with the promises and perils
Arms and muscles
Robots don't always know their own strength. ISAC is strong, but stretchy artificial muscles called "rubbertuators" let it deliver a firm, but not crushing, handshake. Many robots have position, force, and tactile sensors to control their limbs.
Legs
Walking on two legs is basically the art of falling forward without falling over. It takes babies months, and lots of tumbles, to learn. Gravity sensors and solid-state gyroscopes called gyrometers help robots to keep their balance.
Hips
On humans they tilt, sway, and twist, but even Honda's multimillion-dollar robots--note the lack of a pelvis--are a little stiff. Macarena robot, yes; Elvis robot? That'll take some work.
Ears
No, the little pink cones and other earlike protrusions don't rally help with hearing--microphones do that. And right now, Kismet can't tell when it's being called. Sound localization technology is in the works.
GRAPHIC BY DOUG STERN--USN&WR
With Peter Hadfield
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