Ok so most of you probably love movies like “Terminator” or “Transformers” or “Short Circuit” or “iRobot,” right? What would you do if those same beloved science fiction movies were actually science fact? The New York Times released an article recently detailing just how some scientists are worried that machines may become more than just our tools to make life more convenient.

Take a look: “Scientists Worry Machines May Outsmart Man”

So, what do you think would be the best way to avoid having something horribly reminiscent of a scifi  happen where humans and robots battle it out in post-apocalyptic fashion?

Hair plugs. It’s a topic no one wants to talk about. Getting hair plugs is a sign of aging. Besides, what if, instead of using spare arm or leg hair, they plant those crinkly, thick hairs from your big toe onto your head?

Restoration Robotics can’t help with that problem, but it will help with the actual planting. The company has created a robot that assists doctors in this part of the operation. Now, doctors put in the hair plugs by hand, just like rice farmers. These robots can save time and money.

Medical devices are getting big and venture money has been streaming in. Israel, which has a large number of doctors and engineers, has been a hot market. Hair removal and cellulite sculpting company Syneron Medical had a successful IPO a few years back.

Researchers at the University of South Florida have developed a wheelchair-mounted robotic arm (WMRA) that captures the user’s brain waves and converts them into robotic movements. The revolutionary device can help people with disabilities better perform their activities of daily living.

The BCI system – developed, used and modified by USF psychology professor Emanuel Donchin and colleagues – captures P-300 brain wave responses and converts them to actions. Donchin and colleagues harnessed the P-300 brain signal to allow the user to “type” on a virtual keyboard by thinking with the P-300 response serving as the virtual “finger” for patients who cannot move, such as those with locked-in syndrome or those with Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS).

Early testing by human users has shown that the WMRA can be controlled “without the user moving a muscle.” The WMRA does not use any pre-programmed movements unless chosen by the user. The WMRA holds particular promise for persons suffering from “locked-in syndrome,” a totally paralytic condition that leaves people unable to move but intellectually normal, a condition that has gained greater attention thanks to the book and subsequent movie The Diving-Bell and the Butterfly. Even in its development stage, the WMRA offers hope for a better quality of life for people with all levels of mobility challenges.

If Hans Moravec of the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University is right, we only have a good twenty to thirty years left before robots become a new type of artificial species. As we wait for the inevitable robot apocalypse, we’ve already begun to see a lot of little robotic guys pop into our lives, whether they’re sweeping the floor, giving us something to hold, or bringing us a cup of tea.

In addition to its miniature waitstaff ability, Pyuuun, Robo-Engine’s “LifeLog Robot,” is equipped with eight sensors including brightness, movement, collision, sound, distance, temperature, slope and infrared) and can be programmed to monitor an area, collecting various data such as keeping an eye on a temperature-sensitive workspace and reporting back to you via WiFi.

With a 12-volt battery that promises six hours of use on a single charge, the utility of this bad boy is only limited by your imagination…. and its $3,100 price tag.

Take a look at this cool new vid on the remarkably tiny isobot! Its recognized as the smallest humanoid robot in production by the Guinness Book of World Records!

Standing tall at 6 1/2″, the humanoid bot uses precision mechanics to somersault, stand on one leg, do push-ups, perform martial arts, and even reenact a cowboy duel from an American Western.

“The robot has 180 preprogrammed individual movements, responds to verbal commands, and performs up to 240 movements in sequence, allowing you to design countless routines, such as programming the device to say “hello,” introduce himself, play an air guitar, bow to his audience, and say “good-night.”"

“… it is hard to deny the relevancy and appeal of a robotic character that is almost 25 years old.”
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Who hasn’t thought of having a robot version of themselves to do all the work for them? There is something very cool about humans building a mechanical version of themselves to perform tasks they aren’t equipped or, more often, not willing to do. Robots in movies come in all shapes and sizes: from cute and cuddly (Johnny 5 from Short Circuit) to not so cute and cuddly (Agent Smith from The Matrix series), or just plain misunderstood (Robocop from, well, Robocop). Whatever they are, they have made for some interesting movie characters in the past. With that in mind, I present:

Top Five Best Movie Robots

5. C-3PO and R2-D2, Star Wars trilogy (both of them)

Never have there been characters more iconic to a film’s mythology than the two most beloved robots in the Star Wars franchise, C-3PO and R2-D2. In spite of all of the science fiction and technology presented to us in these movies, isn’t the best part watching these two display their limitations? Aside from the primary task for which he was designed, which is communication, C-3PO is just a clumsy oaf who hates the adventures he always ends up mixed in with. Conversely, at least once per film, R2-D2 finds a way to save the day. One without the other would not be as effective, and they are both used perfectly for comic relief when the tension begins to mount. Think of them as the Jay & Silent Bob of the Star Wars universe.

4. Optimus Prime, Transformers (2007)

For all you geeks out there (such as myself), was there anything cooler than seeing the commander of the Autobots come to life on the big screen last year? Say what you will about the movie itself, but there is no denying the jaw-dropping action.

And with a message that was little more than, can’t we all just get along? it is hard to ignore Prime’s spot on this list. Plus, I don’t remember seeing any other movie recently that made me want my truck to come to life and blow stuff up after I saw it.

3. NS-5, I Robot
In a world filled with robots, a robot hating homicide detective is sent to investigate the mysterious death of a U.S. Robotics scientist. As he digs deeper he suspects a new NS-5 robot is the culprit
which means the robot broke the Law of Robotics. But of couse, a mysterious force acts to stop him from discovering the truth.

Based off of the stories of legendary Isacc Asimov and the three robot laws, it touches on the hot topic of impending robot doom. Not only does it create a distrust for manipulative robotics that can be seized and used against people, it also draws attention to the fact that should robots become self-aware, they will, like us, seek their own freedom.

2. Johnny Five, Short Circuit (I & II)

The numero uno icon on what it means to be a robot learning to live in our world. Short Circuit has been the fuel for many of the robotic advances and designs since its release in the 80’s and to use it has been nothing less than a true icon of a robot at its finest.

Currently the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is holding a new exhibit of animatronic characters in movies. You can see Johnny-5, the arms Doc Oc used in the latest Spiderman movie, the little Men in Black aliens, and Alien vs. Predator in mid-combat. So if you’re in town, you might as well make a trip of it.

1. Terminator, The Terminator series (1984, 1991, 2003)

The T-101, a cyborg assassin sent from the future to kill the woman whose as yet unborn son founds a resistance against the machines. So it’s not a romantic comedy? The Terminator launched both actor Arnold Schwarzenegger and director James Cameron’s careers and may be solely responsible for the 80’s action movie as it were.

Subsequently, it spawned one of the best movie sequels of all time and yet another special effect which was a marvel to behold, T-1000. Whether you’re a fan or not, with the Terminator television series, it is hard to deny the relevancy and appeal of a robotic character who is almost 25 years old.