Harvard University researchers show how simple, brainless "bristle-bots" (like those you can make yourself or purchase for $6 as a "Hexbug Nano") exhibit swarming behavior when contained in a small area. According to the scientists, when this kind of behavior is seen in the natural world, among termites for example, it's "linked with insect cognition and social interactions. Our study shows how the behavioral repertoire of these physically interacting automatons controlled by one parameter translates into the mechanical intelligence of swarms." "Swarming, swirling and stasis in sequestered bristle-bots" (PDF)
Brainless bots exhibit swarming
Camel-racing robots wear perfume so the camels accept them
Camel racing in the Gulf states once ran on child jockeys — "usually boys around the age of four," according to Wikipedia. "Often, the boys would be starved to be… READ THE REST
A Shenzhen hotel plans to use a fully robotic staff
Pudu Robotics and a Shenzhen state tourism company say they're building what they call the world's first full-scenario robot-serviced hotel, on the West Artificial Island of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link. The… READ THE REST
Robots can kung fu, but can they summit Everest?
Pemba, a modified Unitree G1 humanoid robot, is on an expedition slated to culminate with a summit of Mount Everest. Unitree's robots can pull off impressive kung fu and parkour,… READ THE REST
Skip the subscription with Microsoft Office 2019 for $20
Disclosure: Boing Boing earns a commission on purchases made through links in this post. TL;DR: Get a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows — including Word, Excel, PowerPoint,… READ THE REST
This $45 Microsoft Visio deal makes diagrams a lot easier
Disclosure: Boing Boing earns a commission on purchases made through links in this post. TL;DR: Microsoft Visio Professional 2024 includes more than 250,000 templates and shapes for creating flowcharts, floor plans, network… READ THE REST
Stay connected with this refurbished $112 flip phone
Disclosure: Boing Boing earns a commission on purchases made through links in this post. TL;DR: For just $111.99 (reg. $269.99), the Kyocera DuraXE Epic E4830 flip phone is a reliable, premium downgrade… READ THE REST
