Japanese Scientists Unveil Thinking, Learning Robot

[Amgeo]

Joking aside, this is actually really interesting. The idea of a learning robot is really fascinating to me.

 

[Farther than stars]

Think that's impressive?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNKLuXUh3M4&feature=related

That is a robot telling a man he "loves" he is afraid of leaving for another country. The future's knocking on the door.

To be honest I think a robot actually learning something is more impressive. Sure, the mere mimicry of human expression like the Hanson robots do will have them pass the Turing Test, but it doesn't mean the robots are actually feeling for themselves.
I know you're not implying any different, but you're wording makes me feel the need to reiterate that this robot has been told to say that he is afraid by extracting information from humanly-compiled database, not because he's drawing a conclusion from a neurological response.

No, that robot hasn't been told to do ANYTHING since it was created. Everything it said in that video it said because of interaction with his creator and learning.

Exactly, but it's from learning from other social interactions, that it was able to take part in this one. The interesting thing about the Hanson robots is their advanced asthetics, which are capable of evoking emotions in other humans, but as long as they aren't feeling for themselves, I still prefere a robot to be able to pick up a cup.
You see, learning in the form that the Hanson robots do is basically just moving about 1s and 0s and then using mikes to deliver the product of the computed data. But I'm sure you can see how a robot which uses critical thinking to affect its surrounding 3D enviroment could be the start of something very useful, mechanically speaking.

Useful does not equal awesome.

But yeah I do see your point. But this isn't exactly new. IS still want a talking robot dog.

Haha! Fair enough. And basically the Hanson robots will cater for that, because even if they don't feel a neurological response themselves, empathy allows us to make it look like they do. So for all intents and purposes, while interacting with them they might as well be human. That's basically what video games try to do as well you know? Creating emotional involvement with their characters.
But when I look at research like this I always immidiately think of how it can enrich our lives. Just imagine, having a robot which can do the cooking for you... and then stack away the dishes afterwards!

 

[similar.squirrel]

You know, for a demographic that's by-and-large useless at interacting with other human beings, nerds sure seem to like the idea that AI will be hostile cannon-fodder.
That, or endlessly vomiting tired sci-fi tropes is still lulz.

This is bloody amazing, and I take my hat off to the people who made it possible. Luddites can go and eff themselves.