Austin Robot Technology (ART) is fine-tuning a vehicle capable of driving itself in preparation for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Urban Challenge in November 2007.

DARPA is the central research and development organization for the Department of Defense. The Urban Challenge will be a field test intended to accelerate research and development in autonomous ground vehicles that will help save American lives on the battlefield. ART made the semi-finals In the last DARPA Challenge in 2005.

The potential for spin-off technologies could be interesting. In the medical realm, the vehicle's virtual vision could lead to devices that aid the blind and visually impaired.


On a different note, the Japanese seem fascinated by robots in general and especially small ones that can dance, fight, see, and talk to you. One example in a previous entry discusses ROBO-ONE, humanoid-robotic competitions held around the world by Roland Corp. to encourage people to built robots.

Other Japanese robots look like cute little dolls. The longer you own one, the more it "knows" you and your habits. One firm recently came out with what I think is a brilliant marketing tactic -- cuddly, robot dolls that target age 50+ women. They are available in Asia and Europe, but not yet the U.S.

A nifty Viral Video shows two little robots duplicating the moves of two young Japanese men while they are exercising.

Many of you have heard of Lego's kits for the Mindstorms NXT robots. Even "grown-ups" love them, building robots that can, say, pick red gumballs out of a pile. Interestingly, Lego used National Instruments, Austin Texas, to create a programming code for the next-generation robot based on self-explanatory icons that are exceedingly user friendly. Lego also decided to let hackers tweak the software to their hearts' delights, basically transforming the user-base into a massive design team.

The company also started Lego Factory, where you can design, upload, and purchase your own creations. You first download a 3D modeling program that lets you design your virtual satellite, truck, or whatever. You upload this to the site and then order the kit that lets you build your "toy."