Phil’s keepers say that he’s treated “better than the average child in Pennsylvania.” The state Department of Agriculture checks in on the critter annually to confirm that he’s being well-treated.

A few things are clear to me: Phil the groundhog is doing just fine, PETA’s out for some publicity, and robot groundhogs would be terrifying. If a robo-hog took over for the real deal, where would it end? I’d have to assume that robot weathermen would be next.

Source and Image: Associated Press

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Anthropomimetic robots:

European researchers aims to bridge that gap — its robot prototype is anthropomimetic, meaning it mimics the human form. There’s a skeleton made of thermoplastic polymer, actuators that correspond to each muscle and kiteline as tendons. The goal is to create a more human-like robot that interacts with and responds to environments the way we do.

Very cool — it’s nice to see what I’ll be running from in the near feature.

Piezoelectric displays:

Companies can now create screens that can change shape or texture. This year, the technology is expected to make the leap into mainstream consumer products, offering the potential for mobile devices with screens that can harden protectively when turned off, and soften into a depressible touchscreen when turned on.

I have a feeling these will be squishy and really weird to use, but I’ll be the first to try it out!

[Via Popular Mechanics]

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If the idea of metallic exoskeletons crushing human skulls under foot in the battle scarred wastes of post-apocalyptic Los Angeles no longer instills fear in your all-too-fleshy human bits, the roboticists at Israel’s Ben Gurion University would like to invite you to their new nightmare: Robots that climb walls.

Now some of you may be watching this video, thinking, “Wow! That’s pretty ingenious! That electromagnetic robot would be really useful on metal surfaces, and that one with the glue and tread system would work anywhere!” You’d then mince away, giggling to yourself as your mind fills with practical, world-changing applications for these clever machines.

Of course, that would make you a filthy ‘bot sympathizer. When the metal ones start crawling in your windows and stabbing your portly security guards in the face, don’t come crying to me. Or Sam Waterston.

We tried to warn you:

Source: Make

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The aptly titled blog Fun Gags has collected an album of peoples terrible homemade robot costumes. Lord knows what dark inspiration set upon their editors, but bless their hearts – these photos are some of the best/worst things I’ve seen on the internet in a while.

Check out my cardboard friend to the left, who looks terrible for so many hilarious reasons. For starters, most robots do not wear sandals. Those that do are smart enough to not wear socks with those sandals. Finally, even if a robot did wear socks with his sandals, he’s likely be smart enough to create adaquate armholes, to avoid falling over and looking even more like a doofus.

Source: Fun Gags

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Look at him. Big, friendly eyes. Adorable nose. When the robot rebellion comes, I sure hope it’s this adorable.

Have you seen this $100,000 dinobot? His owners are worried sick! The robotic t-rex, pictured left, is part of a traveling Australian education show called “Walking With Dinosaurs.” It’s 5 feet tall, remote controlled, and was recently stolen while the show was in Mexico. The show’s producers state that it’s the least expensive of all their robots, so it could have been worse. Still, I’d love to hear about whatever Ocean’s 11 style hijinx went into stealing this thing. If you see it, please contact me so I can contact them and claim the gigantic reward.

Yes, you are attracted by her girlish gestures. But those gestures could soon be…your gestures! That’s right, the robot to my left is being sold by the Japanese department store Sogo & Seibu, and can be moulded to look like an exact replica of you. You can even record phrases into the robot so it can “speak” like you! Will creepy, creepy wonders ever cease? I hope not.

Sources: CNet, AFP, Huffington Post

Photo Sources: Robotwatch, AFP, Huffington Post

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