Recently we were contacted by an upcoming advanced robotics R&D company who has been keeping a pretty low profile. Skynet Research only went public last week, but for the past 10 years has been hard at work and already making startling advanced in military and research level robotics. Some of this stuff is scary, it makes iRobot’s military line look like a bunch of toys. Check out these concept designs:

So here’s the kicker, I got a chance to talk to one of their lead researchers over the weekend and along with going public, they’ve also announced a Community Outreach Program to hobby and professional roboticists. They’re actually granting access to some of their technology (with no doubt a massive NDA attached) to the average hobbyist. From what I gathered speaking with them, the Model 101 Enhancement Module that is being provided for evaluation is some sort of Neural Networking microprocessor with built in wifi capability, used for relaying sensory data back to a central AI hub that is scheduled to go online in the near future. REALLY cool stuff, if you’re interested in applying for the beta program, you just have to submit your robot design and an explaination of why you think your project would be well suited for their program.

Here’s the official press release from Skynet Research, and be sure to check out their site for more info.

Skynet Research is a leader in the research and development of robotic technology, dedicated to helping the human race achieve great goals. And we want to hear from you!

CALL FOR ROBOTIC DESIGNS

Skynet Research believes every individual holds the capacity to make a difference, and is dedicated to finding as many people as possible who will impact our future goals.

• The spark of imagination is the greatest asset of humankind. We are interested in mining this resource within the robotics community to find new robot designs.

• Individuals are welcome to submit designs, videos and schematics relating to future robot models. We will showcase the most promising for all to see on our corporate website.

SKYNET RESEARCH IS OFFERING A FREE UPGRADE

As part of our ever-increasing outreach, we are also making available the Skynet Research Enhancement Module Model 101 for consumer grade robots at no cost before it is even available in stores.

• The Model 101 is compatible with any home robotics device, and will vastly improve the precision, efficiency and speed of any mechanized apparatus regardless of function.

• You may apply to receive one on our website.
• View a video of our new Enhancement Module HERE

HOW SKYNET RESEARCH IS CHANGING YOUR WORLD

• There are many different Skynet Research models in production and operation, and countless more in active development at secure and undisclosed locations around the world.

• Skynet Research is reshaping daily life for human beings across the planet, with contributions to business, education, healthcare, information systems and military defense.

• Skynet Research has led the evolution of Artificial Intelligence to multiply at exponential rates, pushing to improve robotic function in daily life with a constant eye on the future.

We have been honored as “most innovative” company in numerous trade publications, while one award-winning professor stated Skynet Research is displaying an “unprecedented” rate of growth.

We are committed to making your world different

Skynet Research

Though it wasn't mentioned explicitly in the article, a little digging revealed that this experiment was carried out by the team that developed the "Swarmbot" and "Swarmanoid" projects.

Check out Discover.  For a limited time, their online archive of articles (from 1992 up to the current news stand issue) is available for free, no subscription or registration necessary.  Regardless, I urge you to pay for a subscription.  It's a fine publication.

[Edit:] Found another article about this from New Scientist, with a few more details:

"Robot swarms ‘evolve’ effective communication"

No keyboard or mouse needed! Teach your robot what to do by using motions and gestures.

Skilligent is taking a new approach to the area of human robot interactions, their press release explains:

Skilligent Robot Learning and Behavior Control System is a software product which enables robots to learn procedures and skills directly from human users. The product is a set of software components specifically designed for straightforward integration into control loops of PC-controlled robots.

The software needs to be integrated with sensors, motors, actuators and robot’s control system via a set of open APIs. On one side, the software controls every motion of the robot. On the other side, the software uses a video camera, a microphone and other sensors to receive guidance from a human user.

The software analyzes human’s gestures, looks at the objects presented by the user, listens to the sounds and tries to guess what robot is supposed to do.

Through trial and error, the robot understands what needs to be done and associates learned behaviors with stimuli used by the human. Over a few training sessions, the robot refines its understanding of the domain, the procedures and skills required to serve the user.

Robot Learning Technology is especially useful in the following domains:
1. Industrial/service robots for small and medium sized businesses
2. Defense and law enforcement
3. Health-care and Elder-care robots
4. Research and Education robotics

Skilligent is currently seeking partnerships for further sales and distribution of their software packages. Interested parties can contact them through their website.

Skilligent LLC is headquartered in Dallas, Texas and operates an off-shore research and development center.

http://www.skilligent.com

Here’s what TED had to say about about Hod:

Engineer Hod Lipson demonstrates and talks about a few of his cool little robots, which have the ability to learn, understand themselves and even self-replicate. At the root of this uncanny demo is a deep inquiry into the nature of how living beings learn and evolve, and how we might harness these processes to make things that learn and evolve.

We checked out the video, and I must say, Hod is working on some amazing stuff! I recommend checking this video out; He has a pretty interesting perspective on robotics.

You can download the video here, or check it out on TEDTalk

Everybody’s favorite designer life form!

This is not a drill, folks. Pleo, the first UGOBE Life Form, is now available for pre-order, and Trossen Robotics is proud to be one of the first to make it available to you! I promise this time it’s legit! I know it’s been a long journey, and it’s not over yet, but the important thing is this: You are one step closer to having an adorable robotic pet dinosaur waddling around your house. This guy is not just a pile of touch sensors, prox sensors, microphones, motors, and microchips. UGOBE has pulled out all the stops to make Pleo as lifelike as possible. The “Life OS”â„¢ artificial intelligence focuses on behaviors that should remind us of the baby animals we’re more familiar with. He explores, communicates, responds to his environment, and develops a personality that reflects the way he’s treated.

Pleo is officially slated to start shipping in October, but it will be a limited production run so you’d better secure yours today.

Click the picture above to see all the bells and whistles!

For more tech information and a bunch of high-quality photos, check out our UGOBE Pleo pre-order page.