Science reaches for the dream machine The pneumatic hand ...
each finger has 34 tactile sensors. Photo: Shadow Robot Company
Clever, human-like robots have not evolved as quickly as
expected, writes Conrad Walters. If you crave flawless skin,
order it from Texas. For exquisite hands, try Britain. And for
the most sensuous of noses, you would be hard-pressed to look
beyond Melbourne. If this sounds like the shopping list of a
globe-trotting plastic surgeon, discard any thoughts of
Hollywood scalpels. These are among the advanced components
being developed around the world as scientists edge towards the
dream of building the ideal humanoid robot. Twenty years ago,
there were predictions of robots that would sweep our floors,
drive our cars and care for the elderly. In fact, the scope of
these challenges has proved far harder than many people expected
or acknowledged. But complexity has not thwarted researchers
from making advances in robotics intended to address each of
those tasks - plus many others. And while