It's alive!
Or so it would seem...a robotic nearly human face -- I get flashes of Data from Star Trek TNG...known as Social Robots. But what I find very interesting is the high-tech polymer designed by the inventor called "f'rubber," which resembles human skin. The face is embedded with tiny electronic motors, so the robotic face can smile, frown or wrinkle its forehead.

Also in the robotic news is Dr. Robin Murphy's search robots that now have a sensor to determine if a victim is dead or alive.

Finally in today's robotic news, check out this article on a direct comparison of robot-assisted and traditional surgery for children's heart defects by University of Michigan surgeons.
- posted by Paula Porter @ 2:32 PM

 
So what's new for NASA
The space agency today released its budget for 2005. In it is things like $1.9 billion for ISS - a 24% increase; $4.3 billion for Shuttle a 9% increase (includes Return to Flight Investments, and $10 million to demonstrate emerging launch system concepts and $691 million for Mars exploration (16% increase over FY 2004. Of course, this all has to get by Congress...

Also in the news about the space agency is an interview with a former pilot of the shuttle, Col. Richard Searfoss who said faulty engineering, flawed communication and a failure of leadership led to the loss of the Columbia and its crew of seven.

WAY TO GO PATS!
- posted by Paula Porter @ 3:15 PM