It seems that the days of "Cylon" occupation are not far off...
Researchers from the JAST project have created a robot that is able to predict a human's intentions:
The JAST robotics partners have built a system that incorporates this capacity for observation and mirroring (resonance).
“In our experiments the robot is not observing to learn a task,” explains Wolfram Erlhagen from the University of Minho and one of the project consortium's research partners. “The JAST robots already know the task, but they observe behaviour, map it against the task, and quickly learn to anticipate [partner actions] or spot errors when the partner does not follow the correct or expected procedure.”
The robot was tested in a variety of settings. In one scenario, the robot was the 'teacher' - guiding and collaborating with human partners to build a complicated model toy. In another test, the robot and the human were on equal terms. “Our tests were to see whether the human and robot could coordinate their work,” Erlhagen continues. “Would the robot know what to do next without being told?” By observing how its human partner grasped a tool or model part, for example, the robot was able to predict how its partner intended to use it. Clues like these helped the robot to anticipate what its partner might need next. “Anticipation permits fluid interaction,” says Erlhagen. “The robot does not have to see the outcome of the action before it is able to select the next item.”
The robots were also programmed to deal with suspected errors and seek clarification when their partners’ intentions were ambiguous. For example, if one piece could be used to build three different structures, the robot had to ask which object its partner had in mind.
Crabfu has designed yet another Swashbot, called Swashbot3. It's still a three-legged robot based on R/C helicopter eccpm swash control, but this Swashbot has a more organic design. Check out the video here and photos here. (Thanks, I-Wei!)
Raytheon and Sarcos' robotics have built an exo-skeleton that gives soldiers super strength and endurance. It will be interesting to see if this actually goes anywhere.
Check out this robot Humvee that transforms into a full-function biped. I love how convincing the auto mode is on this one. It's more of an artistic detail than a technical one, but most of the other transforming robots I've seen just look like a folded up robot with wheels.
The WD-2 robot, which can morph into any human face, was created by researchers at Tokyo University.
It is a malleable face mask with rear projection. The mask changes shape to match a face, then the projector handles all the details of appearance and expression. The robot face has "17 facial points, for a total of 56 degrees of freedom" and is made with a "highly elastic and rigid material called Septom, with bits of steel wool mixed in for added strength."
HUBO-FX1 is the human-riding robot having 12 DOF. The development concept is that the robot can walk naturally with carrying a person or a load of 100kg, so the lower body takes after legs of human and the upper body takes after a chair.
One of the long term plans for the FX1 is to have it carry its power source and be able to climb stairs with its human occupant.
It seems like it could be a pretty empowering technology for the disabled. Heck, I'd feel pretty empowered driving it... especially if it could be painted yellow and equipped with some big fork lift arms, suitable for fighting aliens.
iRobot is now selling programmable robots called iRobot Create in which hobbyists, hackers and the like can choose from 6 different packages that suit their specific needs.
The robots come fully assembled and are operational right out of the box. You can check out the specs of the basic iRobot Create Programmable Robot here.
dannis over at meshly 
Jason over at meshly 
Check out this video of a 
