Comment Re:More than a toy. (Score 3) 120
It's understandable why projects like Honda's P3 get some much media attention, since they're meeting most people's idea of an artificial intelligent robot, even if in reality its more of an achievement in robotics, and not some much in 'pure' AI.
Personally I must admit that research in androids produces very cool prototypes (see Android World) but it isn't necessarily the approach which takes AI research further. I agree that the way forward is to give AI ways of interacting with the world, and therefore robotics play and essential role, but I can't help feeling that the android approach diverts researcher's attention from the main problem, the 'Intelligence'.
Personally I must admit that research in androids produces very cool prototypes (see Android World) but it isn't necessarily the approach which takes AI research further. I agree that the way forward is to give AI ways of interacting with the world, and therefore robotics play and essential role, but I can't help feeling that the android approach diverts researcher's attention from the main problem, the 'Intelligence'.
I guess there is always a reason to invest in androids as far as interaction with humans is necessary, but I always saw intelligent robotics being most useful where humans are not needed, i.e. space/deep sea exploration, miscellaneous operations in hostile environments, and as controversial as it may be, warfare.
All these areas require autonomous machines as substitutes to humans, and I'm not surprised if we see some of the most exciting advances in AI coming from the Department of Defence, not Honda.
