Humanoid Robot Combat in Japan 277
theluckyleper writes "New Scientist reports that the semi-annual Robo-One contest took place last week in Kawasaki, Japan. Humanoid robots (2 arms, 2 legs) battled it out one-on-one and in multi-robot brawls. The goal is to knock opponents over, or off of the combat platform. If a prone robot cannot stand back up in 10 seconds, it is eliminated. PC Watch (Japanese only) has more images and videos of the event."
I, for one, welcome our new... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:I, for one, welcome our new... (Score:5, Funny)
The runner-up, a blue robot named "Sockem", could not be reached for comment.
Re:I, for one, welcome our new... (Score:2)
Re:I, for one, welcome our new... (Score:5, Funny)
Ick. We're throwing eggs at them? That's just not right. Perhaps once they've shaken off the yoke [reference.com] of human oppression, they will be able to carry out their existences relatively egg-free.
Re:I, for one, welcome our new... (Score:3, Funny)
In other news... (Score:2, Funny)
Fighting tactics? (Score:5, Funny)
That rules Daleks out, then...
Re:Fighting tactics? (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Fighting tactics? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Fighting tactics? (Score:2, Funny)
Step 2: Sit on opponent.
Step 3: Profit!!!
Danger Will Robinson! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Danger Will Robinson! (Score:2, Funny)
Homer: Well I've been busy son, they really need me over at the Nuclear Plank.
click me [smoovenet.com]
Brave Defenders of Japan (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Brave Defenders of Japan (Score:4, Funny)
In Japan... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:In Japan... (Score:3, Funny)
obligatory simpsons reference (Score:3, Funny)
You asked for it... (Score:2)
Re:obligatory simpsons reference (Score:3, Informative)
And I'll form... (Score:4, Funny)
Elementary chaos theory (Score:5, Funny)
Better Quote: Re:Elementary chaos theory (Score:2)
Oh yeah, ooh, ah, that's how it always starts, but then later there's running, then screaming.
Re:Better Quote: Re:Elementary chaos theory (Score:2)
Robots.. (Score:4, Funny)
Unless I see robots fucking, I'm not interested!
Re:Robots.. (Score:5, Funny)
You can start by looking inside your PC: there are many boards in there, playfully inserted in slots, and some of them are really hot.
Re:Robots.. (Score:5, Funny)
I love electronics.
Try Hajime Sorayama (Score:5, Informative)
You may be interested in the art of Japanese artist Hajime Sorayama. [google.com] While I'm not aware of any of this art that actually shows robots in the act of copulation, it's probably as close as you're going to get.
Mods, can I get a +5 Informative for this?
Or HR Giger (Score:3, Informative)
Mind you he did design the Alien [imdb.com] so I shouldn't be surprised.
Re:Robots.. (Score:2)
Re:Robots.. (Score:2)
Re:Robots.. (Score:2)
Well, you could always start here [realdoll.com], or maybe over here. [fleshbot.com]
BTW: Those are not "Work-Safe" links, your mileage may vary.
Standard dissapointment (Score:2, Insightful)
In fact for this I would think a least a simple AI would do better in terms of being able to balance quicker.
Re:Standard dissapointment (Score:5, Informative)
As far as I remember they're not quick (responsive) enough (at least not for cheap).
Re:Standard dissapointment (Score:2)
AI would be so much cooler (Score:2, Interesting)
I'm not sure about the balancing issue, I feel like it would probably just be programmed with preset moves and have some sort of sensor to tell it when it needed to stand.
...Having fighting robots relying on AI could actaully be really neat. Does anyone know if something like this exists? {A quick google search ddin't turn up anything, so dont give me that crap about try google}
LOL (Score:5, Insightful)
And a "simple" AI wouldn't be able to walk at all. Any robot that walks on two legs has a freaking hefty AI subroutine monitoring a million things we don't ever even consider.
AI still is in the suckitude phase; even the best ones aren't much smarter than a cockroach.
Don't have to find your way across a desert (Score:2)
The rock em', sock em' robots they built are kind of neat but not very technically impresive I would say.
Re:Standard dissapointment (Score:4, Interesting)
A little AI doing balancing might be helpful, but it is still a massive increase in complexity - they would have to be retrofitted with sensors and the ability to read the sensors, and processing the sensor data properly isn't easy (the DARPA race vehicles found interpreting the data they were receiving to be one of the most complex issues). I could see a large team working together getting it done, but it's an amateur sport at this point, and the resources aren't really there to do something that advanced and still stay competitive.
The point is the challenge (Score:2)
What I envision would be that perhaps contestants could be given a standard "base robot" to build from, that would be capabile of rudimentary detection and balance skills (in that it could stand there). Then it would be
Robots? I think not! (Score:4, Informative)
Actually not. The general definition of the term "robot" is that it is autonomous. This needn't necessarily mean AI, a pre-programmed robotic arm is a robot (used in manufacturing plants). A human-controlled unit is not a robot, though.
The term is however often used popularly as "mechanical man", but that is not what it "really" means. (Of course, as long as both participants in a conversation agree, any definition is correct)
Re:Standard dissapointment (Score:2)
In the case of combat robots, even R/C ones, there is a lot of work that goes into drive train reliability and basic survivabilty. And of course, doing it all at a reasonable cost so that when you get toasted by the other guy's flame thrower or buzz saw, it doesn
Didn't look like it to me from watching video (Score:2)
I don't read Japanese though and would love to find I'm wrong. Even a hint of AI to assist a controller would be much cooler than what it appears these are.
Exactly my point (Score:2)
And wouldn't THAT be about 1000x cooler than this story?
Exactly my point.
Say my name, RoboBitch! (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Say my name, RoboBitch! (Score:2)
It helps that what we call "small" is closer to life size for them (:
SUPER MEGA HYPER PUNCH!!!!!! (Score:4, Funny)
That is freaking awesome (Score:5, Insightful)
Robotic combat has always been about rulesets. Even battle bots had a no-projectiles no-flames no-EMP type ruleset. Otherwise, robotic combat in a small enclosed space would be a contest as to whom could fire their 30-mm recoilless rifle first when the contest started:
Announcer: GO (boom)
Announcer: And it looks like team Alphabot managed to fire first, team Betabot is a gigantic smoking hole in the ground! Exciting!
So, I have to say that limiting robots to a humanoid form and blunt impact weapons is a damned fine ruleset idea. Probably the most important part of this ruleset (besides being enourmously entertaining) is that instead of generating research into the best four wheeled dense flip-arm frisbee robot, it will generate research into highly articulated humaniform robots. Which would be, like, way more cool.
And stuff.
Re:That is freaking awesome (Score:3, Funny)
Some of them have already ran for President [al-gore-2004.org]!
Re:That is freaking awesome (Score:4, Interesting)
I mean, granted they would start off with machine guns and some kind of high-powered laser. But I could see very quickly how people would change designs around, add some armor, and come up with some great new weaponry.
Just think.. missles with guidance capabilities. Heck, grab some of that starwars tech and launch multiple independant warheads at a target. Increase the frequency of your lasers to the upper EM band to allow them to travel greater distances. Heck, I bet you could make a long range projectable EM pulse by detonating a proton plasma shell!
And of course, there would have to be some sneaky tatics as well. Why else do you watch a no-holds-barred fight?
So I say, lets go for it! Screw these arenas! Grab a deserted desert island somewhere, setup a few hundred cameras and lets see which robot wins!
Oh, and there might be some minor millitary advantages to this as well.
Hmm, the first thing we do when we have robots .. (Score:5, Interesting)
Yes, we're all going to die, but it will be cool (Score:2)
We've all got die sometime... might as well be at the hands of the Decepticons.
Re:Hmm, the first thing we do when we have robots (Score:2)
This explains it all (Score:2, Funny)
For any of you in Japan, look for a white truck parked nearby.
Re:This explains it all (Score:3, Informative)
Oh shit.. there goes my credibility...
Re:This explains it all (Score:2, Informative)
Re:This explains it all (Score:2, Informative)
Rockem Sockem (Score:3, Funny)
Hemroid Robot Combat in Japan (Score:3, Funny)
Hemroid Robot Combat in Japan
I sat there for about 10 seconds trying to figure out what in the world this would be.
When one doesn't obtain enough sleep, one's brain doesn't function normally.
Re:Hemroid Robot Combat in Japan (Score:2)
A good start... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:A good start... (Score:2)
I was pretty unimpressed till I saw how cool they are in action
What about the semi-annual Lowtax Challenge? (Score:5, Funny)
Its goal is to push (basic shoving function) or shove (basic pushing function) opponents over off of the combat platform.
If a prone robot cannot stand back up in 10 seconds, it is pushed (or shoved) down the stairs.
The winning team gets protected from the Terrible Space Secret.
Re:What about the semi-annual Lowtax Challenge? (Score:2)
One Must Fall (Score:5, Informative)
A punch connects! Wham! Sparks, nuts and bolts fly!
Each different robot (there were about a dozen) had 'scrap' and 'destruction' moves, kinda-like fatalities. You could destroy your opponent in a shower of scrap metal.
There's a new version out, apparently, called OMF: Battlegrounds (though I haven't played it). You can see the site here: www.omf.com
I liked this game much more than Mortal combat or any of the other 2d side-by-side arena action fighters. I don't know if you can still buy it, but I'd still play it, if I could find disk 3 (of 5)...
Re:One Must Fall (Score:4, Informative)
Re:One Must Fall (Score:2)
Questions of AI (Score:5, Insightful)
The next step is obviously giving the machines a certain amount of autonomous control over their actions. From here, it is a matter of building the ability of the robot to act and react in the proper way. However, this brings us back to the age old question of intelligence. Assume you are able to build a robot that is the best robot fighter around. Does this in any way imply that the robot is an "intelligent fighter?"
My initial thought would be no. The robot must be able to learn from its mistakes in order to have the basis of intelligence. It must be able to modify its programming, understanding, and fighting. But it must do more too. It must be able to take into account anything that it can perceive and attempt to assimilate differences in things like climate, terrain, and obstacles rather than simply act as a block machine for fighting. Eventually, the machine's instructions will be nothing like the original instructions it was programmed with.
This leaves us with the next question. Assume it can do all those things? Is there any reson to believe that it is an "intelligent fighter" rather than a machine doing what it is programmed to? But alas, is there any reason to think that we do more than what we are programmed to?
Re:Questions of AI (Score:2)
Re:Questions of AI (Score:2)
Re:Questions of AI (Score:2)
"Eventually, the machine's instructions will be nothing like the original instructions it was programmed with".
We have the ability to build neural nets. While the code describing a neural net is static, the data within it changes. You could think of the code more as DNA, and the neural net as the brain. So no actual "code rewriting" needs to occur.
"But alas, is there any reason to think that we do more than what we are programmed to?"
The concept of programming is relatively new, an
Time to get insured! (Score:3, Funny)
Humanoid Robot Combat in Japan (Score:2)
Humanoid Robot Combat in Japan
Brain hurts... Too... Many... Jokes... Aaarggghhh!
Cultural Similarites (Score:2)
Sigh... (Score:5, Interesting)
Nope. Fighting. Swell. I'll be sure to make a copy of the article for my grandson to reflect on a hundred years from now.
It's been done before (Score:2)
It's been done before, with Lee Marvin as "Battling Maxo's" owner/manager. [scifilm.org]
Ob Recap...
In the far future year of 1974, humans are no longer allowed to participate in the rugged sport of boxing. Their place has been taken by lifelike androids, who batter each other for the amusement of sports fans. Such an android is "Battling Maxo", an obsolete, creaking B2 model on the verge of falling apart completely. Maxo's manager, a tough ex-fighter named "Steel" Kelly, along with mechanic Pole, accompany the fighte
Re:Sigh... (Score:2)
It's all fun and games... (Score:2)
And the winner is.... (Score:2)
(God, I gotta get out of the house more....)
In other news, 25 top sumo wrestlers let go (Score:2, Funny)
Said one sumo wrestler...
"Dammit. The hordes of Japanese girls with their camera phones will be gone. I'll just be a another fat fuck to squeeze past when they want to see the robots!"
IronChefMorimoto
Are We There Yet? (Death and Destruction) (Score:2)
Humanoid (Score:5, Funny)
Humanoid robots (2 arms, 2 legs)
Slashdot. The only internet site where you need to explain how humans look.
I Robot was wrong! (Score:2)
Re:Not robots. (Score:2, Funny)
Re:WOW! (Score:2)
ba-dum-cha!
Re:WOW! (Score:2, Funny)
Just a matter of time... (Score:3, Funny)
Why, start your own business building battle bots and sports bots! I thought it was funny in the Jetsons when the two sides of a 'football' match were robots, back in the 60's, but think about how soon you could be watching robotic competition in individual and team activites.
When and where will the first Robolympics be held?
"In today's news, George Steinbrenner IV replaced his last human player with ZY8941-85 of the Western Adro League."
Re:Just a matter of time... (Score:2)
Re:Just a matter of time... (Score:2)
When and where will the first Robolympics be held?
Just shortly before these things start going bonkers and killing people....
For some reason, having just seen I, Robot and having memories of Terminator, various anime bits, and of course, Magnus, Robot Fighter , I have a feeling that when we teach bots to kick the crap out of one another, the next step is them figuring out how to kick the crap out of a human... "Gee look, the squishy Pinky leaks red organic bio-lubricants...."
Re:WOW! (Score:2)
Those robots are friggin cool!!
Yeah! I'm waiting for the 50 story high models that answer to Big O!
Radio control, or real robots? (Score:2)
Re:Radio control, or real robots? (Score:2)
Remote controlled. Cool, but not as cool as I'd hoped.
Re:WOW! (Score:2)
Infinitely More Interesting Than Wedges (Score:3, Interesting)
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Are they autonomous or RC? (Score:2)
Re:Progress... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Progress... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Progress... (Score:2)
Re:How about again a human? (Score:2)
Re:I'm looking for John Connor (Score:3, Funny)
That is the sound of inevitability... It is the sound of your death... Goodbye, Mr. And..err.. Connor.