I cannot leave those two subjects without mentioning what may well be the pinnacle of achievement of those two endeavours: the robot vacuum cleaner!
Imagine a device which can:
- Vacuum your house, and can remember where it has been and where it has not.
- Navigate around obstacles, and which is smart enough not to fall down steps.
- Return to its base when it has finished or when it needs to recharge.
You don't need to imagine such a device, you can go out and buy one.
The newest ones can even return to their base to empty themselves!
Pure genius.
I don't have one myself, but I know someone who has and she loves it.
So if I sounded in previous postings as if I were disappointed with the progress in robotics and AI then I now stand corrected!!
Here is a picture of a recent self-emptying model parked at its base station:
