What if a robot carried the Olympic flame?
(CBS) - This robot is no Zeus, but that doesn't mean it can't carry the Olympic flame. That's why a computer scientist at Aberystwyth University nominated it to be a part of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, according to New Scientist.
So who is the bot that Law is campaigning for? It's the iCub robot, which is "designed to learn from the world like a human toddler," says New Scientist. And since he's sort of human-like, it only makes sense to give him a shot.
iCub is similar in size to a 3-and-a-half-year-old child and has tendon-driven joints. It can crawl (using visual guidance with an optic marker on the floor), play archery (yes, as in, shoot arrows with a bow towards targets), make facial expressions (it can show emotion) and grasp small objects. Whether or not he can run the length of an Olympic torch bearer carrying - uh - something on fire, we don't know.
If approved, iCub carrying the flame would be a tribute to legendary computer scientist Alan Turing who founded computer scientist and was instrumental in code-breaking efforts during World War II. The year 2012 marks what would be Alan Turing's 100th birthday if he were still alive today.
"A robot torch bearer would be a fitting tribute to Alan Turing, and an inspiration to future generations of scientists and engineers," Law told New Scientist.
But will the iCub meet the minimum requirements in order to participate?
