Robots Begin Takeover of Retail Warehouses

Humans are still being asked to risk their lives

(NEWSER) - Japan has built robots for all kinds of distinctly human tasks—from playing instruments to officiating at weddings—but none have been used in this nuclear mess, notes Reuters . Instead, humans are still being asked to risk their lives. Robots are common elsewhere in the nuclear industry, so what gives? Part of the reason may be cultural, writes Jon Herskovitz: "While Japan is renowned for its cutting edge technology, it also maintains an anachronistic element in its society that relies on humans for tasks that have given way to automation in many other parts of the world." More»

Researchers actually trying to create robots incapable of harming humans

(NEWSER) - Six Slovenian volunteers have been getting beaten up by a robot in the name of science. The men have been punched repeatedly in the arm at different strengths by said robot and rating the resulting sensation on a scale that ranges from "painless" to "unbearable." The robotic lab's chief researcher says the experiment is actually designed to help future robots adhere to Isaac Asimov's first law of robotics, which states that "a robot may not injure a human being." More»

Bruce Willis, in weird wig, tops 'smart' sci-fi flick

(NEWSER) - Critics are lukewarm about Surrogates, the new sci-fi flick starring a surprisingly hirsute Bruce Willis, in which humans command tricked-out robots who do their work and play for them.

• It's a "preposterous movie that luxuriates in its own silliness," says Stephanie Zacharek of Salon. There's a "heavy-duty moral," but the film is redeemed by "not taking itself too seriously."

'Stupid Fun Club' incubator will partner with video-game giant

(NEWSER) - The creator of The Sims is departing Electronic Arts to focus on "strange products and ideas," the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Will Wright plans to work full-time at his Stupid Fun Club think tank, which develops ideas for film, games, and TV. Wright says he has already cooked up some ideas for toys and TV shows and is looking for ways to commercialize them. More»

Chain hopes offering groceries will draw in more customers

(NEWSER) - When you think dollar stores, you probably think of Tiki statues, fragile toys, and cheap kitchen implements. But Dollar General is trying to change all that, the Wall Street Journal reports, by taking a real shot at the grocery market. Over the next year, the discount chain intends to open about 40 "Dollar General Markets," offering an array of groceries—including, yes, fresh produce and baked goods—alongside the typical aisles of bric-a-brac. Many will service otherwise deprived " food deserts ." More»