What is Artificial Intelligence?

A new technology revolutionizes the way we perceive and use input devices.

Skinput is the latest breakthrough in human-computer interaction. This technology was developed by Chris Harrison, a junior Ph.D. student in Carnegie Mellon University's Human-Computer Interaction Institute (HCII), in collaboration with Desney Tan and Dan Morris of Microsoft Research.

Chris Harrison, used the human skin as the primary input surface or touchpad for mobile devices such as your smart phone. Skinput is a combination of simple bio-acoustic sensors attached to the upper arm and some sophisticated machine learning through capturing sound generated by such actions as flicking or tapping fingers together, or tapping the forearm.

The armband design includes both the collection of sensors and a tiny projector that can superimpose multi-colored navigation buttons onto the bearer's forearm.

Moreover, a keypad can show on the palm of the hand. Simple mobile devices, like an MP3 player, might be controlled merely by tapping of fingertips, without need of superimposed buttons.

Also, Skinput can use "proprioception", a person's sense of body configuration - for eyes-free interaction.

Click here to read more about Skinput, Chris Harrison Skinput Device

The world-renowned Honda Humanoid Robot has evolved into a desktop program assistant, ASIMO will be on your desktop for free! The ASIMO DESKTOP WIDGET brings the real humaoid ASIMO right onto your screen. The robot ASIMO does not only walk and run around your screen, but presents the latest news headlines from Honda, provides an easy memo function, and more. Although some functions need internet connection to work. The ASIMO Desktop Widget Features:

• walks to and fro and runs around your computer screen, and does many unique actions.
• RSS News Display - whenever available, ASIMO shows the latest Honda news all its Worldwide site.
• Menu - the main ASIMO Menu allows you to have access to the available functions below:
• - News: The latest news from the Honda Worldwide site
• - Search: Google search window
• - Memo Pad: A simple memo pad
• - Widget Settings: Balloon style, sound and automatic start settings
• - Quit: Quits the ASIMO DESKTOP WIDGET
• - Honda Logo: Opens your browser to the Honda Worldwide site

You can drag and drop the Menu window anywhere you want to place it on the screen. Click here to download the ASIMO DESKTOP WIDGET. Click here to read more about ASIMO Desktop Widget, Asimo Desktop Companion

For the last two years we have witnessed the debut and the fame of iRobot's Blob Bot, ChemBot. Many scientists have attempted to create whole-skin locomotion (WSL) robots, but iRobot just won the project.

Today, another scientist is given the opportunity to create a whole new WSL robot that will have less or no restrictions to environmental constraints.

Dr. Dennis Hong of Virginia Tech's RoMeLa Lab is awarded a $400k grant by the NSF to develop a new whole-skin locomotion robot named ChIMERA which stands for "Chemically Induced Motion Everting Robotic Amoeba" that was first introduced at a recent TEDxNASA event.

As described by Dr. Hong, ChIMERA is likened to a slippery water-snake toy, made with silicone which makes it very flexible and difficult to grasp.

Although the researchers have not disclosed how ChIMERA was engineered and formed, they have provided enough video materials for us to visualize how it moves. I'm especially fascinated by the robot's fast movements (0.5 m/s) and it's ability to squeeze through small holes (half its own diameter).

Click here to read more about ChIMERA, Amoeba-Like Whole-SKin Locomotion Robots

Researchers in France claim to have made the first transistor that mimics connections in the human brain. Many believe that this could lead to new brain-based computers and help connect artificial structures to biological tissue.

This device which serves as an artificial version of a synapse is based on an organic semiconductor transistor made of pentacene, an insulation layer and gold nanoparticles. The resulting device is called a nanoparticle organic memory field-effect transistor or "NOMFET".

“In the NOMFET, the pre-synaptic signal is simply the pulse voltage applied to the device and the output signal is the drain current. The holes – the charge carriers in the p-type organic semiconductor employed – are trapped in the nanoparticles and act like the neurotransmitters. A certain number of holes are trapped for each incoming spike voltage and in the absence of pulses, the holes escape in a matter of seconds.”, explains Dominique Vuillaume of the University of Lille.

Click here to read more about NOMFET, Organic Transistor.

North Carolina’s Zenph Sound Innovations has this latest advance in artificial intelligence which “resurrects” musical legends of the past by tapping into old recordings to establish a musician's style and personality, then applying those attributes to newer recordings of old songs, or even to songs the musician never played before.

Zenph’s specially designed robotic pianos take hi-resolution MIDI files created by a software that simulates the style of classical and jazz performers from days gone by and then turns them into sound by literally lowering down the keys using between 12 and 24 high-resolution MIDI attributes.

Performing in “live” settings like the Carnegie Hall, Steinway Hall and on the Live from Lincoln Center show, these robotic pianos have wowed thousands of crowds with their note-for-note renditions of performances of the past. Its engineers are almost done working on a playerless double bass. They also plan on working on the saxophone model next, with the ultimate goal of creating every instrument in a typical jazz band.

Click here to read more about Zenph, Zenph Sound Innovations.